Norah O’Donnell is set to bid farewell to the anchor desk at CBS Evening News on January 24, marking the end of a remarkable five-year tenure. Known for her poise, journalistic integrity, and fearless reporting, O’Donnell has become a trusted voice in many American households.
But now, she’s stepping away, ready to embrace new challenges. What’s driving this bold move, and what’s next for the iconic anchor? Let’s explore the reasons behind her departure and what it means.
Who is Norah O’Donnell?
Born on January 23, 1974, in Washington, D.C., Norah Morahan O’Donnell has become a household name in American journalism.
With both of her parents hailing from Ireland, O’Donnell’s heritage is as rich as her career. She has spent most of her life working for mainstream media, including a 12-year stint at NBC Networks.
Throughout her career, O’Donnell has built a reputation as one of the most respected journalists in the industry.
Washingtonian Magazine named her one of Washington’s 100 most powerful women, and she was also recognized in Irish American Magazine’s “Top 100 Irish Americans.”
Married with a very famous chef
O’Donnell’s personal life is just as fulfilling as her professional career.
She lives in Washington, D.C., and New York City’s Upper West Side with her husband, restaurateur Geoff Tracy, who owns Chef Geoff’s in D.C. He opened his first two restaurants before the age of thirty.
The couple met while attending Georgetown University and married in 2001. Together, they have three children: twins Grace and Henry, born in 2007, and Riley Norah Tracy, born in 2008.
O’Donnell’s passion for motherhood shines through her 2019 book Baby Love: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler, which offers a guide to raising healthy, happy kids through nourishing meals.
Inside her cancer diagnosis
It’s not just her family life that’s shaped O’Donnell’s journey.
In 2016, she faced a personal challenge when diagnosed with melanoma.
”I grew up in San Antonio, where the temperature pushes 100 degrees in the summer,” O’Donnell told Good Housekeeping. ”We spent hours in the pool, many times without sunscreen. And in high school, I visited a tanning salon, especially before prom.”
Luckily, O’Donnell was able to have the cancer removed through surgery. She underwent the procedure shortly after her diagnosis, where a ”three-inch-long piece of skin from the upper left corner of [her] back” was excised.
Since then, she’s been vigilant about her health, scheduling regular skin check-ups ”every three to four months” and undergoing ”multiple skin biopsies” because of her high risk. Over the years, she’s become a passionate advocate for skincare, encouraging others — especially women — to take better care of their skin with regular dermatology visits and habits like using sunscreen.
She was scared after telling her kids
As mentioned, O’Donnell’s family is of Irish descent, with fair, freckled skin. Both of her parents were diagnosed with the same condition and treated years before the Emmy Award–winning correspondent got her diagnosis.
Telling her kids and family about the cancer was one of the hardest things she had ever done.
”My husband, Geoff, and I try to be as open with our children as possible, so it seemed like the right thing to do. But as I left my daughters’ bedroom that night, I was flooded with guilt. I felt horrible for worrying them. What had I been thinking? But I was scared and, perhaps selfishly, I appreciated their deep concern,” she told Good Housekeeping in 2017.
Why O’Donnell is Leaving CBS Evening News
After nearly five years at the helm of CBS Evening News, O’Donnell announced in July 2024 that she would be stepping down following the 2024 United States presidential election.
In a statement, she explained that she would transition into a new role as a senior correspondent for CBS News.
“I have spent 12 years in the anchor chair here at CBS News, connected to a daily broadcast and the rigors of a relentless news cycle,” Norah stated in July.
“It’s time to do something different. This presidential election will be my seventh as a journalist, and for many of us in this business we tend to look at our careers in terms of these milestone events.”
Her last broadcast
On November 22, 2024, she made the official announcement that her last day anchoring CBS Evening News would be January 24, 2025. Her last broadcast will occur just four days after Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration on January 20.
This move marks the end of an era for O’Donnell and her loyal viewers, but it also signals a new chapter in her distinguished career.
What’s next for Norah O’Donnell?
As she moves into her new role as a senior correspondent, O’Donnell will continue to cover major news stories, but her departure from the anchor desk allows her to explore different aspects of her career and take on new challenges. She will concentrate on conducting interviews for a range of CBS broadcast and digital platforms in the future.
”From her global exclusive with Pope Francis to her interviews with every living president, Norah’s newsmaking interviews always deliver for the audience. How many people can effortlessly shift from field-anchoring on an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea to sitting down with Bono and Dolly Parton? Norah’s work here is legendary, and she has several major interviews in the works that will be equally memorable and momentous”, said Wendy McMahon, CBS News chair.
The transition will also signal the start of John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois as the new lead anchors of the CBS Evening News, starting on January 27. The show will return to its traditional home in New York after spending five years in Washington, D.C.
While O’Donnell’s departure from CBS Evening News is a bittersweet moment for many, it’s clear that this is just the beginning of her next great adventure. With her legacy firmly established and a bright future ahead, O’Donnell remains one of the most influential and respected figures in the world of journalism.
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