Norah O'Donnell (born January 23, 1974, age 52 as of 2026) is a highly accomplished American television journalist and one of the most prominent figures in broadcast news.
She's currently a senior correspondent for CBS News and a contributing correspondent for 60 Minutes. She also hosts occasional Person to Person interview specials.
Career Highlights
From 2019 to early 2025, she served as the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News, becoming the only woman anchoring a major network evening news broadcast at the time and leading the program from Washington, D.C.
Before that, she co-anchored CBS This Morning (2012–2019).
She was Chief White House Correspondent for CBS News during the Obama administration.
Earlier roles included covering Congress, the Pentagon, and starting her career as a print reporter for Roll Call (covering events like the Clinton impeachment).
She's a multiple Emmy Award winner with nearly three decades of experience in high-impact reporting and interviews.
Personal Background
Born in Washington, D.C., to a military family (her father was a U.S. Army doctor), she grew up in places like San Antonio, Texas; Landstuhl, Germany; and Seoul, South Korea. She graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in philosophy and an M.A. in liberal studies.
She's married to restaurateur Geoff Tracy (owner of Chef Geoff's in D.C.) since 2001—they met at Georgetown. They have three children: twins Grace and Henry (born 2007), and daughter Riley Norah (born 2008). Together, they co-authored a cookbook, Baby Love: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler (2010).
She's currently working on a book—a female-focused retelling of American history highlighting overlooked women—set for publication by Ballantine in the first half of 2026.
Norah O'Donnell's upcoming book is titled We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America. It is co-authored with Kate Andersen Brower and published by Ballantine Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House).
Publication date: February 24, 2026 (hardcover, priced around $35, approximately 416 pages).
ISBN: 9780593727027.
The book offers a fresh, female-focused retelling of American history, timed to coincide with the United States' 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial in 2026). It highlights overlooked, marginalized, or erased women who played pivotal roles in shaping the nation—from the Revolutionary era through to modern times. These include unsung heroines who fought for freedom, equality, and progress, such as:
The woman publisher who printed the first signed Declaration of Independence.
Women from Philadelphia’s Forten family, who were leaders in the abolition of slavery.
Early women who integrated into the all-male U.S. military.
And many others who demanded inclusion and helped build a "more perfect union," drawing inspiration from Abigail Adams's famous plea to "remember the ladies."
O'Donnell, drawing from her decades-long journalism career focused on untold women's stories, describes the project as deeply researched and revelatory, making history feel immediate and alive. It emphasizes inspiring patriots who refused to accept exclusion and changed the course of the country.
The book is available for pre-order on major platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Penguin Random House's site. Norah has upcoming in-person events and discussions around the release, including appearances at bookstores and cultural centers in early 2026 (e.g., A Cappella Books, Brookline Booksmith, and Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center).
This aligns with announcements from late 2023 (when the deal was reported as a yet-untitled work) through 2025 promotions, including CBS News features where she discussed uncovering hidden female revolutionaries.
Happy birthday to her (January 23rd—yesterday in our timeline)! She's an inspiring figure in journalism, balancing a powerhouse career with family life. What sparked your interest in her today?