History of Joan Lunden in Timeline
Joan Lunden is a prominent American journalist, author, and television personality. She's best known for her nearly two-decade tenure as co-host of ABC's Good Morning America (1980-1997). Beyond her broadcasting career, Lunden is a published author with over ten books to her name. She has also been the subject of biographical programming.
1964: Death of her father
In 1964, Joan Lunden's father died in a plane crash in Malibu Canyon, California, along with Dr. Byron E. Hall. They were returning from an American Cancer Society meeting in Los Angeles.
1967: Graduation from Bella Vista High School
In 1967, Joan Lunden graduated from Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, California at the age of 16.
1973: Began Broadcasting Career at KCRA-TV
In 1973, Joan Lunden began her broadcasting career as a trainee at KCRA-TV in Sacramento, California.
1975: Moved to New York City and Joined WABC-TV
In 1975, Joan Lunden moved to New York City and joined WABC-TV Eyewitness News. Her name was changed at this time.
1976: Joined GMA as a Feature News Reporter
In 1976, Joan Lunden joined GMA as a feature news/consumer reporter and later became a fill-in co-host.
1978: Married Michael A. Krauss
In 1978, Joan Lunden married Michael A. Krauss.
July 4, 1980: Birth of Jamie Beryl Krauss
On July 4, 1980, Joan Lunden and Michael Krauss' daughter, Jamie Beryl Krauss, was born.
1980: Co-host of Good Morning America
In 1980, Joan Lunden became the co-host of ABC's Good Morning America.
1980: Negotiated child-care provisions in contract
In 1980, Joan Lunden, expecting her first child Jamie, negotiated child-care provisions into her Good Morning America contract, including on-set breastfeeding facilities.
1982: Career Mother of the Year
In 1982, Joan Lunden was voted "Career Mother of the Year" by the National Institute of Infant Services.
1983: Walt Disney World Easter and Christmas Parades Host
From 1983 to 1996, Joan Lunden hosted the Walt Disney World Easter and Christmas Parades with Alan Thicke and Regis Philbin.
1983: Interviewed Prince Charles
In 1983, Joan Lunden was one of only three American journalists to interview Prince Charles during his visit to the United States.
1983: Mother of the Year
In 1983, Joan Lunden was voted "Mother of the Year" by the National Mother's Day Committee, honoring her dedication to motherhood.
1984: Covered Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo
In 1984, Joan Lunden covered the Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo on GMA.
1988: Covered Winter Olympic Games in Calgary
In 1988, Joan Lunden covered the Winter Olympic Games in Calgary.
1989: Hosted Rose Parade
From 1989 to 1991, Joan Lunden hosted ABC's broadcast of the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.
April 1991: Matrix Award
In April 1991, Joan Lunden was honored by New York Women in Communications with a Matrix Award for her "outstanding contributions to the broadcasting field."
1991: Hosted Rose Parade
From 1989 to 1991, Joan Lunden hosted ABC's broadcast of the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.
1992: Divorced Michael A. Krauss
In 1992, Joan Lunden divorced Michael A. Krauss.
1994: Navigated whitewater rapids for GMA
In 1994, Joan Lunden navigated the whitewater rapids of a Georgia river for a GMA show.
1995: Covered 50th anniversary of VE Day
In 1995, Joan Lunden covered the 50th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe) as the co-host of GMA.
1996: Walt Disney World Easter and Christmas Parades Host
From 1983 to 1996, Joan Lunden hosted the Walt Disney World Easter and Christmas Parades with Alan Thicke and Regis Philbin.
1996: Hosted Behind Closed Doors
In 1996, Joan Lunden was a host on the A&E cable network program Behind Closed Doors.
1996: Reported on TWA Flight 800 crash
In 1996, while reporting on the TWA Flight 800 crash, Joan Lunden spoke of her friendship with Jed Johnson, a victim aboard the plane, and expressed her condolences.
September 5, 1997: Left GMA
On September 5, 1997, Joan Lunden left GMA after 17 years as co-host.
April 18, 2000: Married Jeff Konigsberg
On April 18, 2000, Joan Lunden married Jeff Konigsberg, the owner of Camp Takajo.
2000: Interviewed George W. Bush
In 2000, Joan Lunden interviewed Texas Governor George W. Bush and Laura Bush prior to his election as president on the GMA program.
2001: Behind Closed Doors Ended
In 2001, Behind Closed Doors, which Joan Lunden hosted on the A&E cable network program, ended.
2003: Birth of twins Kate and Max
In 2003, Joan Lunden and Jeff Konigsberg had twins, Kate and Max, born with the help of a surrogate mother.
2004: Woman's Day Cover
In 2004, Joan Lunden appeared on the cover of Woman's Day.
2005: Birth of twins Jack and Kim
In 2005, Joan Lunden and Jeff Konigsberg had twins Jack and Kim.
2007: Death of brother Jeff Blunden
In 2007, Joan Lunden's brother, Jeff Blunden, died from Type 2 diabetes at age 57.
2013: Death of mother Gladyce Blunden
In 2013, Joan Lunden's mother, Gladyce Blunden, who had dementia, died at the age of 94.
June 24, 2014: Revealed breast cancer diagnosis
On June 24, 2014, Joan Lunden revealed on Good Morning America that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
2014: Special Correspondent for NBC's Today
As of 2014, Joan Lunden became a special correspondent for NBC's Today.
March 28, 2016: Announcement of Warrior Award
On March 28, 2016, it was announced that Joan Lunden would be presented the WWE's second annual Warrior Award at the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
April 2, 2016: Warrior Award
On April 2, 2016, Joan Lunden received the WWE's second annual Warrior Award at the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
2021: Host of Second Opinion
In 2021, Joan Lunden became the host of the public television program Second Opinion.
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