Robin Roberts
Born 1960 · Age 65
American television broadcaster; longtime ESPN sportscaster (1990–2005) and co-anchor of ABC's Good Morning America (2005–present). Advocate, cancer and bone-marrow transplant survivor, author and producer.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Tuskegee, Alabama
Born Robin René Roberts in Tuskegee, Alabama, youngest of four children to Lucimarian and Lawrence E. Roberts (a Tuskegee Airman).
Family moved to Mississippi
Roberts family moved from Alabama to Mississippi (Biloxi, later Pass Christian).
State bowling champion (youth)
At about age 10 Roberts was a Mississippi state bowling champion.
Graduated Pass Christian High School (salutatorian)
Graduated as salutatorian of her class; selected Miss Pass Christian High and was an all-state basketball player her senior year.
Enrolled at Southeastern Louisiana University
Chose Southeastern Louisiana University after visiting the campus; accepted a tennis scholarship and was promised a journalism scholarship by graduation.
Graduated cum laude, BA in Communications
Graduated cum laude from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in communication.
College basketball career totals
Finished collegiate career as Southeastern's third all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
College rebounds total
Accumulated 1,034 career rebounds for Southeastern Louisiana University.
Began broadcasting career at WDAM-TV
Started as a sports anchor and reporter at WDAM-TV (Hattiesburg, MS); reported starting salary as approximately $5.50/hour in early career accounts.
Joined WLOX-TV in Biloxi
Moved to larger market as a sportscaster at WLOX-TV (Biloxi, MS).
Joined WSMV-TV in Nashville
Worked as sports anchor and reporter at WSMV-TV (Nashville, TN).
Nashville Scene Sportscaster of the Year
Named Nashville Scene Sportscaster of the Year (per WBHOF profile).
Joined WAGA-TV in Atlanta; local radio host
Became sports anchor/reporter at WAGA-TV and served as a radio host on V-103 while in Atlanta.
Hired by ESPN as sportscaster
Joined ESPN in February 1990; served on SportsCenter, hosted Sunday SportsDay and contributed to NFL Primetime; became ESPN's first black female anchor.
Began high-profile national assignments at ESPN
Rapidly expanded duties — play-by-play, NCAA tournament coverage, Olympics reporting and hosting specials.
Started 'In the SportsLight' series
Launched In the SportsLight (series addressing role of athletics in lives of successful people).
Inducted into Women's Institute on Sport and Education Hall of Fame
Recognized by Women’s Institute on Sport and Education Foundation (WISE).
Began contributing to ABC's Good Morning America
Became a featured reporter for ABC's Good Morning America while continuing at ESPN.
Named Southeastern Louisiana Alumnus of the Year; endowed scholarship
Southeastern honored Roberts as Alumnus of the Year and she endowed a scholarship at her alma mater.
Host of ABC's Wide World of Sports
Added hosting duties on ABC's Wide World of Sports (1996–1998 per Wikipedia).
WBCA Mel Greenberg Media Award
Received the Mel Greenberg Media Award (WBCA).
Transitioned toward news broadcasting at ABC
Began reading news headlines and serving as news anchor for Good Morning America, expanding from sports into general news.
Billie Jean King Contribution Award
Presented with the Billie Jean King Contribution Award.
Promoted to Good Morning America co-anchor
Left ESPN and became full-time co-anchor of ABC's Good Morning America (May 2005 transition from contributor to co-anchor).
Began relationship with Amber Laign
Began romantic relationship with Amber Laign (massage therapist) in 2005; relationship later made public in 2013/2014 and married in 2023.
Anchored Hurricane Katrina reports
Anchored emotional reports from Mississippi Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina; hometown Pass Christian heavily damaged.
Named one of NCAA's 100 Most Influential Student-Athletes
Recognized by the NCAA as one of 100 Most Influential Student-Athletes.
Breast cancer surgery
Diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer; underwent surgery on August 3, 2007.
Completed chemotherapy for breast cancer
Completed eight chemotherapy treatments by January 2008 and continued broadcasting.
WNBA Inspiration Award
Received the WNBA Inspiration Award in recognition of her courage and advocacy.
Hosted Academy Awards preshow (ABC)
Hosted ABC's Academy Awards preshow on February 22, 2009.
Guest-star on Hannah Montana (Disney Channel)
Appeared in season 4, episode 10, 'Can You See the Real Me?'.
Pace car driver for Indianapolis 500
Drove the pace car for the 2010 Indianapolis 500.
Hosted Academy Awards preshow (again)
Hosted ABC's Academy Awards preshow again in 2011.
Southeastern Louisiana retired jersey No. 21
Southeastern Louisiana University hosted a ceremony on February 5, 2011, to retire Roberts' jersey number 21.
Peabody Award recognition for MDS coverage
Coverage of Roberts’ treatment on Good Morning America led to a Peabody Award for the program (Peabody citation credited her public engagement; award presented in 2013 to honor 2012 work).
Diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
Announced diagnosis of MDS (bone marrow disease), a complication following earlier chemotherapy. Public announcement spurred an 1,800% spike in bone marrow donor registrations on Be the Match the same day.
Took medical leave for bone marrow transplant
Took leave from Good Morning America to undergo a bone marrow transplant (medical leave began late summer 2012; transplant performed during leave).
Inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted as part of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2012 for contributions to the game as player and broadcaster.
Discharged from hospital after transplant
Went home from the hospital in October 2012 following transplant and recovery.
ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage Award
Received ESPN's Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2013 ESPYs.
Returned to Good Morning America
Returned to GMA on February 20, 2013 after medical leave and transplant recovery; 6.1 million viewers tuned in for her return.
Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
Received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Published Everybody's Got Something
Released the book Everybody's Got Something (Grand Central Publishing). Also released the audiobook version.
Founded Rock'n Robin Productions
Launched her own production company, Rock'n Robin Productions (announced Sept 2014).
Named one of Equality Forum's 31 Icons
Named one of 31 Icons of LGBT History Month by Equality Forum (2015).
Cameo in Pitch Perfect 2 (a cappella backup)
Performed as an a cappella backup singer / cameo in Pitch Perfect 2 (film released 2015).
Inducted into Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame
Recognized by the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame for her contributions to sports broadcasting.
Named honorary Harlem Globetrotter
Became an honorary Harlem Globetrotter—the tenth person to be given this award (announced July 29, 2016).
RTDNF Lifetime Achievement Award
Received the Radio Television Digital News Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award (2018).
National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award
Recipient of the NAB Distinguished Service Award (2018).
Co-anchored Royal Wedding coverage
Co-anchored ABC's coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding at St. George's Chapel, Windsor (May 19, 2018).
Mentor for Disney's #DreamBigPrincess campaign
Selected as a mentor for Disney's #DreamBigPrincess campaign (announced Oct 10, 2018).
NBA Sager Strong Award
Awarded the NBA's Sager Strong Award at the NBA Awards ceremony (June 20, 2019).
Host of Disney+ 'Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts'
Became host of the Disney+ interview series Turning the Tables, which debuted in 2021 (series later renewed for season 2 in 2022).
Executive-producer and narrator 'Tuskegee Airmen: Legacy of Courage' premiered
Executive-produced and narrated the one-hour documentary 'Tuskegee Airmen: Legacy of Courage' which premiered on History on Feb 10, 2021.
Guest host of Jeopardy! (week-long run)
Served as a guest host on Jeopardy! for five episodes airing July 19–23, 2021 following Alex Trebek's death.
Published 'Brighter by the Day'
Released the book 'Brighter by the Day' (Grand Central Publishing, 2022).
20th anniversary with Good Morning America (celebration)
ABC/Good Morning America celebrated Roberts' 20th anniversary with the program in April 2022 with an on-air celebration and a plaque in Times Square.
Married Amber Laign
Roberts and longtime partner Amber Laign married in September 2023.
Named to Out100
Included in the 2023 Out100 list recognizing influential LGBTQ people.
Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism
Announced/awarded the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism (presented by the Poynter Institute).
Estimated net worth (public estimate)
Estimated cumulative net worth increases over decades driven by long-term ABC/ESPN career, book deals, production company and media appearances.
Key Achievement Ages
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