History of Katie Couric in Timeline
Katie Couric is a prominent American journalist, presenter, and media entrepreneur. She founded Katie Couric Media and publishes the newsletter Wake Up Call. She served as Yahoo's Global News Anchor and has hosted television programs on all three major US networks: NBC, CBS, and ABC. A trailblazer, Couric was the first solo female anchor of a major network evening news program (CBS Evening News). In 2021, she made history as the first woman to host the flagship American version of Jeopardy!.
January 7, 1957: Katherine Anne Couric Born
On January 7, 1957, Katherine Anne Couric, now known as Katie Couric, was born. She is an American journalist and presenter, and the founder of Katie Couric Media.
1975: Enrolls at the University of Virginia
In 1975, Katie Couric enrolled at the University of Virginia, her father's alma mater.
1979: Graduates from UVA
In 1979, Katie Couric graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in American Studies.
1979: First Job at ABC News
In 1979, Katie Couric started her first job at the ABC News bureau in Washington, D.C.
1986: Reports for WRC-TV
In 1986, Katie Couric reported for WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., earning an Associated Press award and an Emmy.
1989: Deputy Pentagon Correspondent at NBC
In 1989, Katie Couric became the Deputy Pentagon Correspondent at NBC News.
1989: Joins Today as Political Correspondent
In 1989, Katie Couric became the national political correspondent for Today.
1989: Joins NBC News
In 1989, Katie Couric began her career with NBC News, marking a career milestone.
1989: Fills in on NBC Nightly News
In 1989, Katie Couric began occasionally filling in for Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News.
February 1991: Substitute Co-Host on Today
In February 1991, Katie Couric became a substitute co-host on Today while Deborah Norville was on maternity leave.
April 5, 1991: Permanent Co-Anchor on Today
On April 5, 1991, Katie Couric became the permanent co-anchor of Today.
1991: Anchor Substitute
From 1989 to 1991, Katie Couric served as an anchor substitute for various NBC News programs.
1991: Hosts Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
In 1991, Katie Couric began hosting the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a role she continued for 14 years.
1993: Hosts Celebrity Cavalcade
In 1993, Katie Couric hosted "Legend to Legend Night: A Celebrity Cavalcade", a similar entertainment special.
1994: Co-Anchor of "Now"
In 1994, Katie Couric became co-anchor of "Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric", a weekly TV newsmagazine.
1995: Hosts America's Children
In 1995, Katie Couric hosted the news special "Everybody's Business: America's Children".
June 17, 1997: Questions Bob Woodward about Clinton Scandal
On June 17, 1997, Katie Couric questioned Bob Woodward of the Washington Post about media obsession with the Clinton 'Chinagate' scandal.
2000: Broadcasts Summer Olympics
In 2000, Katie Couric began broadcasting the Olympic Games with Bob Costas, starting with the Summer Olympics.
October 18, 2001: Death of Sister Emily Couric
On October 18, 2001, Katie Couric's sister, Emily Couric, died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 54.
2001: Hosts Harry Potter Special
In 2001, Katie Couric hosted Harry Potter: Behind the Magic.
2004: Inducted into Television Hall of Fame
In 2004, Katie Couric was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, marking recognition of her contributions to television.
October 7, 2005: Broadcasted mammogram on Today show
On October 7, 2005, Katie Couric broadcast her own mammogram on the Today show to promote breast cancer awareness.
2005: Last Year Hosting Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2005 was Katie Couric's last year as host of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, after hosting for 14 years.
April 5, 2006: Announces Departure from Today
On April 5, 2006, Katie Couric announced that she would be leaving Today.
2006: Leads coverage of the 2006 midterm elections
In 2006, Katie Couric led CBS News' coverage of the 2006 midterm elections.
2006: Joins CBS News
In 2006, Katie Couric transitioned to CBS News, marking a career milestone.
May 28, 2008: Returns to Today
On May 28, 2008, Katie Couric made a return visit to Today to promote Stand Up to Cancer alongside Brian Williams and Charles Gibson.
2008: Leads coverage of the 2008 Presidential election
In 2008, Katie Couric led CBS News' coverage of the 2008 Presidential election and conventions.
2008: Sarah Palin Interviews
In 2008, Katie Couric taped a series of interviews with Sarah Palin, and later received the Walter Cronkite Award for Journalism Excellence for them.
June 1, 2009: Delivered Graduation Speech at Princeton University
On June 1, 2009, Katie Couric delivered the graduation speech at Princeton University.
December 21, 2009: Sawyer Succeeds Gibson
On December 21, 2009, Diane Sawyer succeeded Charles Gibson for ABC World News, becoming the only other solo female evening news anchor in the United States at that time.
2009: Wins Emmy Governor's Award
In 2009, Katie Couric was awarded the Emmy Governor's Award for her broadcasting career.
May 16, 2010: Received honorary degree from Case Western Reserve University
On May 16, 2010, Katie Couric received an honorary doctor of science degree from Case Western Reserve University for her efforts in raising awareness of colorectal cancer and for her commitment to advancing medical research and later gave the university's 2010 convocation keynote address.
2010: Leads coverage of the 2010 midterm elections
In 2010, Katie Couric led CBS News' coverage of the 2010 midterm elections.
June 6, 2011: Signs Contract with ABC
On June 6, 2011, ABC announced that Katie Couric had signed a US$40-million contract to host a daytime talk show.
August 22, 2011: Talk Show Name Announced
On August 22, 2011, it was announced that Katie Couric's talk show would be called Katie.
November 2011: Hosts Philbin Retirement Special
In November 2011, Katie Couric hosted a special primetime ABC news program highlighting Regis Philbin's retirement.
2011: Creates "The Year with Katie Couric"
In 2011, Katie Couric created her newly annual special, "The Year with Katie Couric", a year-end program covering major newsmakers and events.
2011: Joins ABC News
In 2011, Katie Couric joined ABC News, marking a career milestone.
2011: Publishes Book
In 2011, Katie Couric's book, "The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives", became a New York Times bestseller.
May 20, 2012: Graduation Speech at University of Virginia
On May 20, 2012, Katie Couric delivered the graduation speech at her alma mater, the University of Virginia.
September 10, 2012: "Katie" First Episode Aired
On September 10, 2012, the first episode of Katie Couric's talk show "Katie" aired.
September 2012: Hosts Katie Talk Show
In September 2012, Katie Couric began hosting "Katie", a syndicated daytime talk show produced by Disney-ABC Domestic Television.
September 2012: "Katie" Talk Show Debut
In September 2012, Katie Couric's daytime talk show, "Katie", debuted.
2012: Substitutes on Good Morning America
From April 2 to 6, 2012, Katie Couric substituted for co-anchor Robin Roberts on ABC's Good Morning America.
June 1, 2013: Graduation Speech at Randolph-Macon College
On June 1, 2013, Katie Couric delivered the graduation speech at Randolph-Macon College.
October 2013: Reports of Cancellation
In October 2013, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Katie Couric's talk show, Katie, was close to cancellation due to low ratings and audience disdain.
December 2013: "Katie" Canceled
In December 2013, Disney-ABC Domestic Television announced that Katie Couric's talk show, "Katie", had been canceled.
2013: Special Correspondent for ABC News
From 2011 to 2013, Couric was a special correspondent for ABC News, a role she has incorporated into her talk show.
2013: Joins Yahoo
In 2013, Katie Couric became Yahoo's Global News Anchor, marking a career milestone.
January 13, 2014: Debut as Global Anchor of Yahoo! News
On January 13, 2014, Katie Couric debuted as Global Anchor of Yahoo! News, interviewing former United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
June 12, 2014: "Katie" Last Show Taped
On June 12, 2014, the last show of Katie Couric's talk show, "Katie", was taped.
June 2014: "Katie" Talk Show Ends
In June 2014, Katie Couric's syndicated daytime talk show, "Katie", concluded its run.
June 21, 2014: Marriage to John Molner
On June 21, 2014, Katie Couric married financier John Molner in a small, private ceremony at her home in The Hamptons.
July 30, 2014: "Katie" Series Finale Aired
On July 30, 2014, the series finale of Katie Couric's talk show, "Katie", aired.
January 2017: Co-hosts Today for Anniversary
In January 2017, Katie Couric returned for a week-long stint as co-host of Today to mark Matt Lauer's 20th anniversary as anchor of the program.
2017: Leaves Yahoo
In 2017, Katie Couric ended her role as Yahoo's Global News Anchor.
2018: Co-hosts Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies
In 2018, Katie Couric co-hosted the Winter Olympics opening ceremonies with Mike Tirico, facing criticism for comments about Dutch skating culture and then apologizing.
January 15, 2021: Appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher
During a January 15, 2021, appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, Katie Couric revealed that she is distantly related to William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States.
2021: Guest Hosts Jeopardy!
In 2021, Katie Couric appeared as a guest host for the game show Jeopardy!, making her the first woman to host the flagship American version of the show.
September 28, 2022: Couric reveals breast cancer diagnosis
On September 28, 2022, Katie Couric revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer on June 21 of that year after a routine screening. She underwent surgery for the disease in July and began radiation treatment on September 7.
