History of Deborah Norville in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 21, 2025

Deborah Norville is a prominent American television journalist and businesswoman, best known as the anchor of Inside Edition since 1995. Before Inside Edition, Norville held positions as an anchor and correspondent for CBS News and co-host of Today on NBC. Beyond journalism, she is an entrepreneur with her own line of yarns for knitters and crocheters, manufactured by Premier Yarns. She is also a published author, with her book Thank You Power achieving New York Times best-seller status.

August 8, 1958: Deborah Norville Born

On August 8, 1958, Deborah Anne Norville was born. She is an American television journalist and businesswoman.

1976: America's Junior Miss Pageant

In 1976, Deborah Norville represented Georgia in the America's Junior Miss pageant, which inspired her to pursue television journalism after observing the CBS Television production team's work.

January 1979: Interview with President Jimmy Carter

In January 1979, Deborah Norville conducted a live interview with President Jimmy Carter.

October 1979: Weekend Anchor at WAGA-TV

In October 1979, Deborah Norville was named weekend anchor at WAGA-TV.

1982: Hired by WMAQ-TV

In 1982, Deborah Norville was hired as a reporter and later an anchor by WMAQ-TV in Chicago.

1986: "Deborah Norville Week" in Chicago

In 1986, Mayor Harold Washington declared "Deborah Norville Week" in Chicago when it was announced that Deborah Norville would be joining NBC News in New York.

January 1987: Anchor of NBC News at Sunrise

In January 1987, Deborah Norville became the anchor of NBC News at Sunrise, becoming the only solo female anchor of a network newscast.

1987: Married Karl Wellner

In 1987, Deborah Norville married Swedish businessman Karl Wellner.

August 1989: Bad Girls Documentary Airs

In August 1989, the documentary Bad Girls, hosted by Deborah Norville, was the seventh most watched show the week it aired, according to Nielsen ratings.

September 1989: Named News Anchor on Today

In September 1989, Deborah Norville was named news anchor on Today.

January 1990: Co-host of Today

In January 1990, Deborah Norville became co-host of Today.

February 1990: Georgia Alumni Record Interview

In February 1990, Deborah Norville recalled the grueling commute between school and work during an interview with Larry B. Dendy for the Georgia Alumni Record.

May 1991: Announced ABC TalkRadio Show

In May 1991, ABC TalkRadio Networks announced Deborah Norville would be hosting a prime-time program.

September 1991: Debut of The Deborah Norville Show

In September 1991, The Deborah Norville Show: From Her Home to Yours, premiered, featuring newsmaker interviews and listener calls.

1991: Contributing Editor to McCall's Magazine

In 1991, Deborah Norville served as a contributing editor to McCall's magazine.

October 1992: Joined CBS News

In October 1992, Deborah Norville joined CBS News to resume her television career.

October 1992: Returns to Television with CBS News

In October 1992, Deborah Norville returned to television, joining CBS News as a correspondent.

1993: Semi-regular Anchor of CBS Sunday Evening News

From 1993, Deborah Norville was a semi-regular anchor of the CBS Sunday Evening News.

1993: End of McCall's Magazine Role

In 1993, Deborah Norville's role as a contributing editor to McCall's magazine ended.

1994: Wins Emmy Award for Mississippi Floods Coverage

In 1994, Deborah Norville won her second Emmy award for coverage of the Mississippi floods on 48 Hours.

March 6, 1995: Anchor of Inside Edition

On March 6, 1995, Deborah Norville became the anchor of Inside Edition, a syndicated television news magazine.

1995: Named Anchor of Inside Edition

In 1995, Deborah Norville was named anchor of Inside Edition, a syndicated newsmagazine.

1995: Named Co-Anchor of America Tonight

In 1995, Deborah Norville was named co-anchor with Dana King of America Tonight.

1997: Publication of Back on Track

In 1997, Deborah Norville published Back on Track: How To Straighten Out Your Life When It Throws You a Curve.

Back on Track: How to Straighten Out Your Life When It Throws You a Curve

Check it on Amazon

1999: Hosted America's Junior Miss contest

In 1999, Deborah Norville hosted the America's Junior Miss contest.

1999: I Don't Want to Sleep Tonight Publication

In 1999, Deborah Norville published the children's book I Don't Want to Sleep Tonight.

I Don't Want to Sleep Tonight (Pop-Up Book)

Check it on Amazon

2001: I Can Fly Publication

In 2001, Deborah Norville published the children's book I Can Fly.

2003: Joined MSNBC Prime-Time Lineup

In 2003, MSNBC announced Deborah Norville was joining its prime-time lineup to host a 9:00 p.m. program.

2005: Left Deborah Norville Tonight

In 2005, Deborah Norville left Deborah Norville Tonight, citing the challenge of juggling her Inside Edition and MSNBC duties along with family responsibilities.

2007: Publication of Thank You Power

In 2007, Deborah Norville published Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You, which became a New York Times best-seller.

Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You

Check it on Amazon

2008: Began Appearing in Infomercials

In 2008, Deborah Norville began appearing in infomercials and launched the Deborah Norville Collection of knit and crochet yarns.

2009: Keynote Speaker at Craft Hobby Show

In 2009, Deborah Norville debuted her Deborah Norville Collection line at the Craft Hobby Show, where she also served as the keynote speaker.

2009: Publication of The Power of Respect

In 2009, Deborah Norville published The Power of Respect: Benefit from the Most Forgotten Element of Success.

The Power of Respect: Benefit from the Most Forgotten Element of Success

Check it on Amazon

2009: Knit With Deborah Norville Publication

In 2009, Deborah Norville released Knit With Deborah Norville—18 Classic Designs For The Whole Family.

Deborah Norville Collection Everyday Solid Yarn-Baby Pink

Check it on Amazon

2013: Elected to Viacom Board of Directors

In 2013, Deborah Norville was elected to the board of directors of Viacom.

2013: Publication of The Way We Are

In 2013, Deborah Norville, with Charlie Carillo, published The Way We Are: Heroes, Scoundrels, and Oddballs from 25 Years of Inside Edition.

March 2015: 20th Anniversary on Inside Edition

In March 2015, Inside Edition celebrated Deborah Norville's 20th anniversary on the program, noting that she had become the longest-serving female anchor on national television.

2015: Host of Knit and Crochet Now!

In 2015, Knit and Crochet Now!, a craft show seen on public television, announced the appointment of Deborah Norville as host of its upcoming season.

April 1, 2019: Announced Thyroid Cancer Surgery

On April 1, 2019, Deborah Norville announced that she would be undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid nodule, which was detected by a viewer.