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Robin Roberts

Born 1960
Fact
Co-anchor of the most-watched morning news show in America
Fact
Publicly battled two life-threatening illnesses and returned to the anchor desk
Fact
Came out publicly in 2013 — one of the most high-profile journalists to do so

Robin René Roberts is co-anchor of Good Morning America — the most-watched morning news program in America — and one of the most trusted journalists in the country. She has anchored the show through some of the most significant news events of the twenty-first century while also publicly battling two life-threatening illnesses: breast cancer in 2007 and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in 2012, for which she received a bone marrow transplant from her sister. She returned to the anchor desk both times, and her openness about her health became as much a part of her story as her journalism.

Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, on November 23, 1960, and raised in Pass Christian, Mississippi, Roberts was a standout basketball player at Southeastern Louisiana University before pursuing a career in sports journalism. She worked as a sportscaster at ESPN for 15 years before joining Good Morning America in 2005.

Roberts came out publicly in 2013 in an end-of-year social media post, becoming one of the most high-profile Black women and journalists to do so. She married her longtime partner, Amber Laign, in 2023. She has received a Peabody Award, been inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and was named one of Glamour's Women of the Year. Her career demonstrates that excellence, resilience, and authenticity can coexist on the biggest stage in broadcast news.

Make your mess your message.
— Robin Roberts
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Key Milestones

A Life in Firsts

1960
Born November 23 in Tuskegee, Alabama
1990
Joins ESPN as sportscaster — spends 15 years there
2005
Named co-anchor of Good Morning America
2007
Publicly battles breast cancer on air
2012
Undergoes bone marrow transplant for MDS — sister donates
2023
Marries longtime partner Amber Laign

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