Katie Couric
Born 1957 · Age 68
American journalist, longtime co-host of NBC's Today, first solo female anchor of a Big Three evening news program (CBS Evening News), author, documentarian, and founder of Katie Couric Media.
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Life & Career Timeline
High school internship at WAVA
As a high school student Couric interned at Washington, D.C. all-news radio station WAVA.
Enrolled at University of Virginia
Enrolled at University of Virginia (father's alma mater); member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and worked for The Cavalier Daily.
Graduated from University of Virginia (BA)
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in American Studies.
First job at ABC News (desk assistant)
Began career as a desk assistant at the ABC News bureau in Washington, D.C.
Joined CNN as assignment editor
Early-career role as an assignment editor at CNN's Washington bureau; later worked in other CNN bureaus and as on-air political correspondent.
Reporter at WTVJ (Miami)
Worked as a general-assignment reporter for then-CBS affiliate WTVJ between 1984 and 1986.
Reporter at WRC-TV (Washington)
Reported for WRC-TV, NBC's Washington O&O, earning an Associated Press award and an Emmy.
Joined NBC News as Deputy Pentagon Correspondent
Hired by NBC News in 1989; took a Pentagon correspondent post and later began work on Today.
Named national political correspondent on Today
Began appearing on Today as national political correspondent; began filling in as co-host later.
Married Jay Monahan
Married attorney John Paul 'Jay' Monahan III on June 10, 1989.
Began hosting Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Began co-hosting NBC's annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; continued through 2005 (14 years).
Became substitute co-host of Today
Substituted for Deborah Norville while she was on maternity leave (Feb 1991).
Named permanent co-anchor of Today
Became permanent co-anchor of NBC's Today show on April 5, 1991.
Birth of first daughter Elinor 'Ellie' Monahan
Gave birth to first daughter Elinor Tully 'Ellie' Monahan in Washington, D.C.
Co-hosted 'Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric'
Co-anchored a weekly evening newsmagazine with Tom Brokaw beginning in 1993; later folded into Dateline NBC.
Birth of second daughter Caroline 'Carrie'
Gave birth to second daughter Caroline Monahan in New York City on January 5, 1996.
Husband Jay Monahan dies of colorectal cancer
Her husband, Jay Monahan, died in 1998 at age 42 after a battle with colon cancer; prompted major advocacy work.
Published children's book 'The Brand New Kid'
Published The Brand New Kid (2000); it topped NYT children's picture book best-seller list.
Underwent and broadcast on-air colonoscopy
Underwent an on-air colonoscopy in March 2000 as part of a colon cancer awareness campaign; led to increased screening rates ('Couric Effect').
Peabody Award for colon cancer series
Won a George Foster Peabody Award for her series 'Confronting Colon Cancer'.
Sister Emily Couric dies
Emily Couric, Virginia state senator and Katie's sister, died of pancreatic cancer at age 54; Katie delivered eulogy.
Signed major NBC contract (reported)
Reportedly signed a contract in January 2002 believed to be about $65 million over ~4.5 years, making her one of the highest-paid personalities.
Study documents 'Couric Effect' on colonoscopy rates
A 2003 study in Archives of Internal Medicine associated her televised colon cancer awareness campaign with a temporary increase in colonoscopy use.
Inducted into Television Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2004.
Published children's book 'The Blue Ribbon Day'
Published The Blue Ribbon Day (2004).
Golden Plate Award (American Academy of Achievement)
Received the Golden Plate Award in 2005.
Broadcast her mammogram on Today
Aired her own mammogram on Today (Oct 7, 2005) as part of breast cancer awareness efforts.
Reported CBS salary
Reportedly earned US$15 million per year while at CBS.
First solo female anchor of a Big Three evening news broadcast
By becoming anchor of CBS Evening News in 2006, Couric became the first solo female anchor of a major U.S. network evening news broadcast.
Simulcast of CBS Evening News debut online and radio
Her CBS Evening News debut was the first to be simulcast live on the internet and local radio stations; drew highest ratings since 1998.
Announced departure from Today for CBS
On April 5, 2006 announced she would leave Today; CBS confirmed she would anchor CBS Evening News.
First broadcast as anchor of CBS Evening News
Made her debut as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News on September 5, 2006; ratings spike on debut.
CBS Evening News wins Edward R. Murrow Award
The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric won the 2008 Edward R. Murrow Award for best newscast.
Palin interviews (taped)
Taped high-profile interviews with Sarah Palin in 2008 that were widely broadcast and later received the Walter Cronkite Award (2009).
Co-founded Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) (launch year)
Stand Up To Cancer launched in 2008; Couric is a co-founder and has been a prominent spokesperson; SU2C has raised nearly $800M since launch.
Interviewed Captain Sullenberger (60 Minutes)
First to interview pilot Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger after the Miracle on the Hudson (Jan 2009) as a 60 Minutes correspondent.
Emmy Governor's Award
Awarded the Emmy Governor's Award for her broadcasting career in 2009.
Named in Time's 100 Most Influential People (timing: twice overall)
Couric has twice been named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people (text references this accolade in summaries).
Won Walter Cronkite Award for Palin interviews
Received the Walter Cronkite Award for Journalism Excellence in 2009 for her interviews with Sarah Palin.
CBS Reports series wins Alfred DuPont Award
Lead reporter for CBS Reports: 'Children of the Recession' and 'Where America Stands' series; the first series won the duPont-Columbia Award.
Honorary Doctor of Science from Case Western Reserve Univ.
Received an honorary D.Sc. on May 16, 2010 for colorectal cancer awareness efforts and advancing medical research.
Published 'The Best Advice I Ever Got'
Published The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons From Extraordinary Lives (2011); it was a New York Times bestseller and profits donated to Scholarship America.
Announced leaving CBS Evening News
Announced in early April 2011 that she would leave CBS Evening News when her contract expired.
Final CBS Evening News broadcast
Made her final broadcast as anchor of the CBS Evening News on May 19, 2011.
Signed multi-platform deal with ABC (reported $40M)
ABC announced on June 6, 2011 she signed a reported US$40-million multi-year contract to host a daytime talk show and contribute to ABC News.
Debut of syndicated daytime talk show 'Katie'
The talk show Katie premiered on September 10, 2012, produced by Disney–ABC Domestic Television.
Engaged to John Molner
Became engaged to financier John Molner after a two-year relationship; engagement announced in Sept 2013.
Hired as Yahoo! Global News Anchor (announced)
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer announced in November 2013 that Couric had been hired as Global Anchor of Yahoo! News.
Cancellation announced for 'Katie'
Disney–ABC Domestic Television announced in December 2013 that Katie had been canceled after two seasons due to ratings and Q Score issues.
Executive producer: 'Fed Up' documentary
Served as executive producer and narrator for the documentary Fed Up (2014) about food industry and obesity.
Debut as Yahoo! Global News Anchor
Debuted in her Yahoo! News role on January 13, 2014 with an interview of Robert Gates.
Married John Molner
Married financier John Molner in a small private ceremony at her Hamptons home.
Reported expansion of Yahoo/ABC partnership
In March 2015 Yahoo News and ABC News expanded partnership; Couric secured a spot as special contributor to ABC via collaboration.
Executive producer and narrator: 'Under the Gun' documentary
Executive produced and narrated Under the Gun (2016), a documentary on gun violence; later faced—and beat—a defamation lawsuit related to an edited pause.
Began hosting podcast 'Next Question with Katie Couric'
Started hosting the Next Question podcast (in partnership with iHeartMedia); podcast launched in 2016 and continues.
Founded Katie Couric Media (KCM)
Founded Katie Couric Media (KCM), a multimedia production company producing documentaries, a newsletter (Wake Up Call) and the Next Question podcast.
Produced 'Gender Revolution' documentary (NatGeo)
KCM partnered with National Geographic to produce Gender Revolution, which premiered in 2017.
Left Yahoo! as Global Anchor (transitioned to project basis)
After Verizon's purchase of Yahoo and formation of Oath, in June–July 2017 Couric ended her full-time contract and moved to project-based work.
Hosted 'America Inside Out with Katie Couric' (NatGeo)
Hosted a six-part docudrama series America Inside Out on National Geographic in 2018.
Co-hosted 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (NBC)
Returned to NBC to co-host the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies with Mike Tirico; later apologized for an offhand remark about the Dutch and ice skating.
Executive producer: 'Unbelievable' (Netflix)
Served as an executive producer for the Netflix miniseries Unbelievable (2019).
Guest host of Jeopardy! (first woman to host flagship US version)
Served as a guest host of Jeopardy!; episodes aired March 8–19, 2021, making her the first woman to host the flagship American version.
Published memoir 'Going There'
Released Going There in October 2021 (New York Times bestselling memoir).
Diagnosed with breast cancer (date of diagnosis)
Revealed on Sept 28, 2022 that she was diagnosed with breast cancer on June 21, 2022 after routine screening.
Underwent surgery for breast cancer
Underwent surgery for breast cancer in July 2022.
Began radiation treatment
Started radiation treatment for breast cancer on September 7, 2022.
Ongoing: KCM produces newsletter and podcast
Katie Couric Media produces the Wake Up Call newsletter and Next Question podcast; KCM partners with purpose-driven brands and NatGeo for projects.
Key Achievement Ages
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