History of Robin Roberts (newscaster) in Timeline

Robin Roberts is a prominent American television broadcaster, best known for co-anchoring ABC's Good Morning America. She has been a fixture in morning television for many years, earning acclaim for her interviewing skills and warm on-screen presence. Beyond her broadcasting career, Roberts is a cancer survivor and has been open about her health battles, becoming an advocate for cancer awareness and early detection. She is also a former college basketball player, having played for Southeastern Louisiana University. Her career spans sports broadcasting as well, including a long association with ESPN.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

November 23, 1960: Robin Roberts Born

On November 23, 1960, Robin Roberts was born. She would grow up to be an American television broadcaster who co-anchors ABC's Good Morning America.

1979: Graduated High School

In 1979, Robin Roberts graduated from Pass Christian High School as the class salutatorian.

1983: Sports Anchor and Reporter for WDAM-TV

In 1983, Roberts began her career as a sports anchor and reporter for WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

1983: Graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University

In 1983, Roberts graduated cum laude from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in communication.

1984: Moved to WLOX-TV

In 1984, Roberts moved to WLOX-TV in Biloxi, Mississippi.

1986: Sports Anchor and Reporter for WSMV-TV

In 1986, Roberts became a sports anchor and reporter for WSMV-TV in Nashville, Tennessee.

1988: Sports Anchor and Reporter at WAGA-TV

From 1988, Roberts was a sports anchor and reporter at WAGA-TV in Atlanta, Georgia, and also a radio host for radio station V-103.

February 1990: Joined ESPN

In February 1990, Roberts joined ESPN as a sportscaster.

1990: Sportscaster on ESPN

In 1990, Roberts became a sportscaster on ESPN where she would remain for 15 years and became the first woman to co-host NFL Primetime.

1990: Sports Anchor and Reporter at WAGA-TV

In 1990, Roberts was a sports anchor and reporter at WAGA-TV in Atlanta, Georgia, and also a radio host for radio station V-103.

June 1995: Featured Reporter for Good Morning America

In June 1995, Roberts began to work for ABC News as a featured reporter for Good Morning America.

1996: Host for ABC's Wide World of Sports

From 1996, Roberts was the host for ABC's Wide World of Sports.

1998: Host for ABC's Wide World of Sports

Until 1998, Roberts was the host for ABC's Wide World of Sports.

2005: Co-Anchor on Good Morning America

In 2005, Roberts became a co-anchor on Good Morning America.

2005: Relationship with Amber Laign Began

In 2005, Roberts began a romantic relationship with Amber Laign.

2005: Left ESPN

In 2005, Roberts left ESPN.

2005: Promoted to Co-Anchor of Good Morning America

In 2005, Roberts was promoted to co-anchor of Good Morning America.

2005: Emotional Reports from Mississippi Gulf Coast

In the fall of 2005, Roberts anchored a series of emotional reports from the Mississippi Gulf Coast after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

2006: Presentation at Abilene Christian University

In 2006, Roberts gave a presentation to the student body at Abilene Christian University, crediting her parents with cultivating the "three 'D's: Discipline, Determination, and 'De Lord.'"

January 14, 2007: Costas on the Radio

On January 14, 2007, Roberts appeared on Costas on the Radio and talked about being offered a basketball scholarship to Louisiana State University.

2007: Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

In 2007, Roberts was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer and underwent surgery on August 3.

January 2008: Completed Chemotherapy Treatments

By January 2008, Roberts had completed eight chemotherapy treatments.

February 22, 2009: Hosted Academy Awards Preshow

On February 22, 2009, Roberts hosted the Academy Awards preshow for ABC.

December 2009: Joined by George Stephanopoulos

In December 2009, Roberts was joined by George Stephanopoulos as co-anchor of GMA.

May 30, 2010: Drove Pace Car for Indianapolis 500

On May 30, 2010, Roberts drove the Pace Car for the 2010 Indianapolis 500.

February 5, 2011: Jersey Retired

On February 5, 2011, Southeastern Louisiana University hosted a ceremony to retire Roberts' jersey, number 21.

2011: Hosted Academy Awards Preshow

In 2011, Roberts hosted the Academy Awards preshow for ABC.

April 2012: Good Morning America Number One Morning Show

In April 2012, Good Morning America became the number-one morning show again, led by the Roberts-Stephanopoulos team.

October 2012: Went Home After Bone Marrow Transplant

In October 2012, Roberts went home after getting a bone marrow transplant.

2012: Inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2012, Roberts was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame for her contributions to women's basketball through her broadcasting and play.

February 20, 2013: Returned to GMA

On February 20, 2013, Roberts returned to GMA after taking a leave for a bone marrow transplant.

December 2013: Publicly Acknowledged Sexual Orientation

In late December 2013, Roberts publicly acknowledged her sexual orientation for the first time.

2013: Awarded Arthur Ashe Courage Award

In 2013, ESPN awarded its Arthur Ashe Courage Award to Roberts at the ESPYs.

2014: Started Rock'n Robin Productions

In 2014, Roberts started her own production company, Rock'n Robin Productions.

2014: Named one of ESPNW's Impact 25

In 2014, Roberts was named one of ESPNW's Impact 25.

2015: Named an Icon of LGBT History Month

In 2015, Roberts was named by Equality Forum as one of their 31 Icons of the 2015 LGBT History Month.

May 19, 2018: Co-anchored Royal Wedding

On May 19, 2018, Roberts co-anchored the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor.

October 10, 2018: Mentor for Disney's #DreamBigPrincess Campaign

On October 10, 2018, Roberts was selected as a mentor for Disney's #DreamBigPrincess campaign.

June 20, 2019: Received Sager Strong Award

On June 20, 2019, the National Basketball Association awarded Roberts the Sager Strong Award at its award ceremony.

November 2020: Death of Alex Trebek

In November 2020, Alex Trebek died.

February 10, 2021: Tuskegee Airmen Documentary Premiered

On February 10, 2021, Roberts executive-produced and narrated the one-hour documentary Tuskegee Airmen: Legacy of Courage, which premiered on History.