Amy Robach (full name: Amy Joanne Robach) is a prominent American television journalist and anchor, born on February 6, 1973 (making her 53 today, happy birthday!).
She's best known for her long career in broadcast news:
She worked at NBC News from 2003 to 2012, where she was a national correspondent, co-hosted the Saturday edition of Today, and anchored on MSNBC.
She then joined ABC News, where she became a breaking news anchor and fill-in host for Good Morning America (GMA), and co-anchored the investigative news program 20/20.
She's also an Emmy-nominated journalist, a bestselling author (her memoir better details her breast cancer diagnosis after an on-air mammogram in 2013, and her advocacy for awareness), and a motivational speaker.
In more recent years, she gained widespread attention for her high-profile personal life, including her relationship with former GMA colleague T.J. Holmes (they left ABC in 2023 amid controversy, got engaged, and are planning their wedding). She's a mom of two daughters and remains active on social media (Instagram: @ajrobach) and podcasts like Amy & T.J.
Since our conversation started with famous females born on February 6, and you asked to exclude actresses, Amy fits perfectly as a journalist/TV anchor (not primarily an actress, though she's had minor cameo roles).
Amy Robach's breast cancer advocacy
Amy Robach's breast cancer advocacy stems from her very public diagnosis in 2013, which has made her one of the most visible advocates for early detection, awareness, and survivorship.
In October 2013, while working at Good Morning America (GMA), Robach (then 40) agreed to get a live on-air mammogram as part of a Breast Cancer Awareness Month segment—encouraged by colleague Robin Roberts (a breast cancer survivor herself). The mammogram revealed abnormalities, leading to a Stage II breast cancer diagnosis shortly after. She underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and reconstruction, completing treatment in 2014. The entire journey was shared openly with the public, turning a routine awareness effort into a life-changing personal story that inspired millions.
Her advocacy focuses on:
Promoting early screening and mammograms — especially for women starting at age 40 (or earlier if high-risk), emphasizing that she had no family history, felt healthy, and wasn't expecting it.
Encouraging proactive health choices and taking control of one's care to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Addressing the "taboo" and long-term sides of breast cancer, like the emotional toll (fear of recurrence, body image changes, loss of fertility—she was told she was "out of the baby-making business"), mental health struggles, identity shifts, and how survivorship is an ongoing "unfolding storyline" rather than a one-time event.
Highlighting that cancer changes your life forever but doesn't have to define you—she's spoken about reclaiming her body (e.g., through running marathons) and wanting people to see survivors as whole individuals, not just their diagnosis.
Keyways she's advocated:
Book: Her 2015 New York Times bestseller Better: How I Let Go of Control, held on to Hope, and Found Joy in My Darkest Hour details her diagnosis, treatment, family life balance, and lessons learned.
Media appearances and interviews: Regular segments on GMA, ABC News, podcasts (including her own Amy & T.J. with T.J. Holmes), and outlets like Prevention, The Healthy, Cure Today, and radio shows (e.g., with Delilah in 2024) during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). She's shared stories for 10-year anniversaries (2023) and beyond.
Partnerships and campaigns: Collaborated with organizations like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) (e.g., #BeTheEnd campaign in 2014) and others to amplify messages. She's listed as a keynote speaker and advocate for breast cancer awareness events.
Recent work (2024–2025): Continued discussions on survivorship topics like fear of recurrence, intimacy/relationships post-cancer, and emotional recovery. In late 2025 interviews, she reflected on how the disease reshaped her perspective without defining her.
Her story has motivated countless women to get screened—many credit her on-air moment for prompting their own mammograms. She's a powerful voice showing that survivorship involves ongoing advocacy, hope, and living fully beyond the diagnosis.