Norah O’Donnell is an American broadcast journalist and television anchor. She has a sharp interviewing style and calm demeanor. Viewers trust her for breaking news and political coverage. Her real name is Norah O’Donnell. She is known simply as Norah to fans.
She was born on January 23, 1974 in Washington, D.C. Her age in 2026 is 52 years old. She stands 5 feet 5 inches tall. Her weight is around 55 kg. Norah works as a journalist and news anchor for CBS News.
Her career started at Roll Call newspaper in 1996. She anchors the “CBS Evening News” weeknights. Her family includes her husband and three children. She is married to Geoff Tracy since 2001. Her net worth is estimated at $18 million. Her main income sources include anchoring, reporting, and book deals.
Norah O’Donnell Bio
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Norah O’Donnell |
| Birth | January 23, 1974 |
| Age (2026) | 52 years |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Weight | 55 kg (121 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 35-27-36 inches |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Body Type / Build | Slim |
| Shoe Size | 7.5 (US) |
| Dress Size | 4 (US) |
| Bra Size | 32B |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Occupation | Journalist, News Anchor, TV Personality |
| Education | Georgetown University (BA in Philosophy, 1995) |
| Career Highlights | CBS Evening News Anchor (2019-Present), Face the Nation Host (2012-2019) |
| Net Worth | $18 million |
| Wealth Sources | CBS Salary, Speaking Engagements, Book Royalties |
| Notable Skills | Interviewing, Political Reporting, Live Anchoring |
| Family | Geoff Tracy (husband), 3 children (Grace, Henry, Riley) |
| Social Presence | Instagram: @norahodonnell, Twitter: @norahodonnell |
Norah O’Donnell Real Name
Norah O’Donnell is the journalist’s complete birth name. She does not use a middle name professionally. Her surname O’Donnell has Irish origins. She was named Norah after her grandmother. She kept her maiden name after marriage.
She has no stage name or pseudonym. Her family name is well-known in journalism. She legally changed nothing for her career. Her identity is fully authentic on screen. Fans recognize the O’Donnell brand from CBS.
She signs autographs as Norah O’Donnell. Her professional reputation carries her full name. She chose to marry without name change. This reflects her independent personality. Her children have Tracy surname instead.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Real Name | Norah O’Donnell |
| First Name | Norah |
| Last Name | O’Donnell |
| Name Origin | Irish |
| Maiden Name | O’Donnell (kept after marriage) |
| Legal Changes | None |
Norah O’Donnell Early Life and Education
Norah O’Donnell was born in Washington, D.C. on January 23, 1974. Her father was a military doctor in the Army. The family moved frequently due to deployments. She lived in Texas, Germany, and Kansas. She attended 6 different schools before college.
She graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School in North Carolina. She then attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in 1995. She studied liberal arts and political science.
She worked at the student newspaper “The Hoya” . She also interned at NBC News’ “Meet the Press” . This sparked her interest in political journalism. She briefly considered law school after graduation. She chose reporting instead of law. Her academic background helps her analyze complex issues.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| High School | Bishop McGuinness High School |
| University | Georgetown University |
| Graduation Year | 1995 |
| Degree | BA in Philosophy |
| Student Media | The Hoya (newspaper) |
| Internship | Meet the Press (NBC) |
Norah O’Donnell Parents and Siblings
Norah’s father is Dr. Francis O’Donnell. He served as a military doctor in the US Army. He achieved the rank of Colonel before retiring. Her mother is Mary O’Donnell. She was a homemaker and military spouse. The family moved over 10 times during childhood.
She has five siblings in her family. She has two brothers and three sisters. Their names are not publicly shared. Norah is the second oldest child. The family remained close despite frequent moves.
Her father later became a primary care physician in North Carolina. He still practices medicine part-time. Her mother now lives near Norah in Washington. Her parents supported her journalism career. They encouraged education and hard work. Her military upbringing gave her discipline.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Father Name | Dr. Francis O’Donnell |
| Father’s Job | Army Colonel / Physician |
| Mother Name | Mary O’Donnell |
| Mother’s Job | Homemaker |
| Siblings | 5 (two brothers, three sisters) |
| Birth Order | Second oldest |
Norah O’Donnell Husband or Boyfriend
Norah O’Donnell is married to Geoff Tracy. The couple married on September 1, 2001. They have been together for over 25 years. Geoff is a restaurateur and chef. He owns Chef Geoff’s restaurants in Washington, D.C.
They met on a blind date in 1999. A mutual friend set them up together. They dated for 2 years before marriage. Geoff proposed to Norah at a restaurant. She said yes immediately.
The couple has three children together. Their names are Grace, Henry, and Riley. Grace was born in 2004. Henry was born in 2006. Riley was born in 2008. Norah balances career and family carefully. Geoff handles most childcare duties during her evening newscasts.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband Name | Geoff Tracy |
| Marriage Year | September 1, 2001 |
| Husband’s Job | Restaurateur / Chef |
| Children | Grace (2004), Henry (2006), Riley (2008) |
| How They Met | Blind date (1999) |
Norah O’Donnell Age, Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Norah O’Donnell turns 52 years old in 2026. Her birthday is January 23 every year. She looks younger than her actual age. Her blonde hair is styled professionally. She maintains a slim and fit figure.
Her height is 5 feet 5 inches tall. She weighs around 55 kilograms or 121 pounds. Her body measurements are 35-27-36 inches. She wears a bra size 32B. Her dress size is 4 in US measurements. Her shoe size is 7.5 .
She has blue eyes that stand out on camera. Her hair color is naturally blonde. She exercises regularly with yoga and walking. She avoids heavy makeup off-camera. Her skin is fair and clear. She follows a healthy diet for energy. Her on-screen presence is elegant and sharp.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Age (2026) | 52 years |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Weight | 55 kg (121 lbs) |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Shoe Size | 7.5 (US) |
| Dress Size | 4 (US) |
| Bra Size | 32B |
Norah O’Donnell Before Fame
Before fame, Norah worked at Roll Call newspaper in Washington. She started as an editorial assistant in 1996. She then became a reporter covering Capitol Hill. She learned political journalism from the ground up. She wrote over 500 articles in 4 years.
She then joined NBC News as a contributor in 1999. She worked for MSNBC’s “The News with Brian Williams” . She covered the 2000 presidential election. She reported from both party conventions. Her hard work got noticed by network executives.
She took a risk by leaving NBC for CBS in 2012. Many colleagues doubted her decision. She believed CBS offered better opportunities. She moved her family from New York to Washington. The move paid off in the long run. She never looked back at her old job.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| First Job | Editorial Assistant at Roll Call |
| Year Started | 1996 |
| First Network | NBC News (1999) |
| First Major Assignment | 2000 Presidential Election |
| Risk Move | Left NBC for CBS (2012) |
| Mentor | Tim Russert (Meet the Press) |
Norah O’Donnell Career
Norah O’Donnell’s career began at Roll Call newspaper in 1996. She then moved to NBC News in 1999. She served as Washington correspondent for MSNBC. She covered the White House and Congress. She appeared on “Today” and “NBC Nightly News” .
She joined CBS News in 2012 as Chief White House Correspondent. She became co-host of “CBS This Morning” in 2012. She moderated “Face the Nation” from 2012 to 2019 . She interviewed presidents and world leaders regularly.
In 2019, she became anchor of “CBS Evening News” . She moved the broadcast to Washington, D.C. She revamped the show’s format and focus. She won multiple Emmy Awards for her work. She continues to anchor weeknights in 2026. Her contract runs through 2028 .
| Era | Network | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-1999 | Roll Call | Reporter | 3 years |
| 1999-2012 | NBC / MSNBC | Correspondent | 13 years |
| 2012-2019 | CBS | Co-host / Face the Nation | 7 years |
| 2019-Present | CBS | Evening News Anchor | 7+ years |
Norah O’Donnell Social Media Presence
Norah O’Donnell has active Twitter and Instagram accounts. Her Twitter handle is @NorahODonnell . She has over 400,000 followers. She posts news updates and interviews. She shares behind-the-scenes photos often.
Her Instagram account has 300,000 followers. She posts family photos and work moments. She shows her three children occasionally. She shares pictures from her restaurant visits. She avoids political arguments online.
She does not have TikTok or Snapchat. She uses Facebook less frequently. Her social media style is professional and warm. She responds to fans with kindness. She never posts controversial opinions. Her online presence reflects her journalism values.
| Platform | Handle | Followers (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Twitter (X) | @NorahODonnell | 400,000+ |
| @norahodonnell | 300,000+ | |
| Norah O’Donnell | 200,000+ | |
| TikTok | None | – |
Norah O’Donnell Net Worth and Achievements
Norah O’Donnell’s net worth in 2026 is $18 million . Her CBS annual salary is around $5 million. She earns extra from speaking engagements. She also earns book royalties from her 2017 book. Her husband’s wealth is separate.
She won multiple Emmy Awards for journalism. She received the Gracie Award for Outstanding Anchor. She won the Dart Award for Trauma Coverage. She was named Irish American of the Year in 2021. She received the Georgetown University Alumni Award.
She covered 9 presidential elections so far. She interviewed 5 sitting presidents. She reported from 30 countries worldwide. Her “CBS Evening News” won Peabody recognition. She holds two honorary degrees from universities.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | $18 million |
| CBS Salary | $5 million/year |
| Emmy Awards | Multiple |
| Gracie Award | Outstanding Anchor |
| Peabody Recognition | CBS Evening News |
| Honorary Degrees | 2 |
Norah O’Donnell Legacy and Impact
Norah O’Donnell changed evening news formats significantly. She moved “CBS Evening News” to Washington . This shifted focus from New York . She prioritized political and investigative reporting. Her approach attracted younger viewers.
She impacted women in broadcast journalism. She proved mothers can anchor evening news. She brought empathy to tough interviews. Her MeToo movement coverage was groundbreaking. She interviewed multiple accusers on camera.
She also influenced military family coverage. Her father’s Army background informed her reporting. She covered veterans’ issues extensively. She pushed for better PTSD awareness. Her interview with Pope Francis made global headlines. She continues to set standards for fairness in journalism.
| Impact Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| News Format | Moved broadcast to Washington |
| Women in News | Role model for working mothers |
| Military Coverage | Extensive veterans’ stories |
| MeToo Movement | Interviewed accusers directly |
| Political Journalism | Fair, tough interviewing style |
Norah O’Donnell Nationality and Religion
Norah O’Donnell holds American nationality by birth. She was born in Washington, D.C. . She is a natural-born US citizen. She has Irish ancestry through her father. She holds no dual citizenship.
She was raised in a Catholic family. She attended Catholic schools as a child. She still practices Catholicism as an adult. She takes her children to church regularly. She keeps religion private on air.
She has liberal views on social issues. She is pro-choice and supports LGBTQ rights. She separates faith from journalism completely. She does not endorse political candidates. Her moral values guide her work. She believes in compassionate reporting.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Washington, D.C. |
| Ancestry | Irish |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Political Views | Liberal (private) |
| Church Attendance | Regular |
Norah O’Donnell Future Plans and Goals
Norah O’Donnell plans to anchor CBS Evening News through 2028. Her current contract ends after 2028 election. She wants to cover one more presidential race. She may then move to a different role.
She plans to write another book. Her first book “Baby Steps” came in 2017. She wants to write about military families. She will interview her father for research. She has no timeline yet for publication.
She will spend more time with her children. Her youngest turns 18 in 2026. She may cut back on evening work. She could host prime-time specials instead. She has no retirement plans yet. She loves journalism too much to quit. She will stay at CBS long-term.
| Future Plan | Target |
|---|---|
| CBS Evening News | Through 2028 |
| Second Book | Undecided year |
| Prime Time Specials | Possible after 2028 |
| Retirement | No current plans |
| Family Time | Prioritize 3 children |
Norah O’Donnell Awards and Achievements
Norah O’Donnell won Emmy Awards for 2020 election coverage. She received the Gracie Award for Outstanding Anchor in 2021. She won the Dart Award for Excellence in Trauma Coverage. She received the Irish American of the Year award in 2021 .
She won the Georgetown University Distinguished Alumni Award. She received the American Women in Radio and Television Award. She won multiple Associated Press Awards for reporting. She received the CBS News President’s Award in 2022 .
She was nominated for several News Emmys for interviews. She received the Matrix Award for Broadcasting in 2023 . She won the Sesame Street Leadership Award for children’s content. She received honorary doctorates from Neumann University and others.
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Gracie Award | 2021 |
| Irish American of the Year | 2021 |
| Georgetown Alumni Award | 2019 |
| Matrix Award | 2023 |
| Dart Award | 2015 |
| Honorary Doctorate | Multiple |
Norah O’Donnell Category Section
Norah O’Donnell is primarily a journalist and news anchor. She is also an author and TV personality. Her main category is broadcast journalism. She has worked in TV news for over 25 years.
Norah O’Donnell Movies / TV Shows
- CBS Evening News (2019-Present) – Anchor
- Face the Nation (2012-2019) – Host/Moderator
- CBS This Morning (2012-2019) – Co-Host
- The News with Brian Williams (MSNBC) – Correspondent
- NBC Nightly News – Correspondent
- Today Show – Contributor
- Meet the Press – Contributor
- 60 Minutes – Correspondent (occasional)
- CBS News Special Reports – Anchor
- 2020 Presidential Election Coverage – Anchor
- 2024 Presidential Election Coverage – Anchor
- Inauguration Day 2021 – Anchor
- Pope Francis US Visit (2015) – Lead Anchor
- Royal Wedding 2018 – CBS Anchor
- Norah O’Donnell: On Assignment – Host
Norah O’Donnell Hobbies
- Reading historical biographies
- Cooking Italian food with her husband
- Running outdoors in Washington, D.C.
- Attending her children’s sports games
- Practicing yoga for stress relief
- Traveling to beach destinations
- Watching classic films
- Drinking red wine with friends
- Collecting antique books
- Volunteering at local food banks
Norah O’Donnell Favorite Things
- Color: Navy blue (on-air suits)
- Food: Pasta and seafood dishes
- Drink: Pinot Noir (red wine)
- Book: “The Power Broker” by Robert Caro
- Movie: “Broadcast News” (1987)
- TV Show: “The West Wing”
- Musician: Bruce Springsteen
- Vacation Spot: Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Hobby: Running along the Potomac River
- Journalist: Tim Russert (mentor)
Norah O’Donnell Interesting Facts
- She was Tim Russert’s intern at “Meet the Press.”
- She speaks basic Italian from her studies.
- Her husband proposed to her at a restaurant.
- She gave birth to twins (Henry and Riley).
- She once interviewed Pope Francis for CBS.
- She has a philosophy degree from Georgetown.
- Her father was an Army colonel and doctor.
- She moved her family from New York to D.C. for CBS.
- She wrote a parenting book called “Baby Steps.”
- She has covered every presidential election since 2000.
FAQs
1. What is Norah O’Donnell’s real name?
Norah O’Donnell is her real name. She has no stage name or pseudonym .
2. How many children does Norah O’Donnell have?
She has three children with husband Geoff Tracy. They are Grace, Henry, and Riley .
3. Why did Norah O’Donnell move CBS Evening News to Washington?
She wanted more political focus and access to government. The move changed the show’s format permanently .
4. What is Norah O’Donnell’s net worth?
Her net worth is $18 million in 2026 . She earns $5 million annually from CBS.
5. Is Norah O’Donnell still anchoring CBS Evening News?
Yes, she anchors weeknights in 2026. Her contract runs through 2028 .
Conclusion
Norah O’Donnell is a 52-year-old American journalist and CBS Evening News anchor. She stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 55 kilograms. She is married to Geoff Tracy since 2001. They have three children named Grace, Henry, and Riley. Her net worth in 2026 is $18 million.
She moved CBS Evening News to Washington in 2019. This changed how evening news covers politics. She won multiple Emmy and Gracie Awards for her work. She covered every presidential election since 2000. Her interview with Pope Francis was watched by millions.
She continues to anchor weeknights through 2028. She balances career with raising three children. Her military upbringing shaped her discipline. She remains one of CBS’s most trusted journalists. Her legacy will be fair, tough, and empathetic reporting.
