Judy Woodruff Biography
Judy Woodruff is a seasoned American broadcast journalist whose impressive career in television news has stretched over more than fifty years, covering everything from local stories to national and international events on network, cable, and public broadcasting. She was the anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour until the end of 2022 and is well-known for her in-depth reporting on U.S. politics and global affairs.
After earning her degree from Duke University in 1968, Woodruff kicked off her career in local television news in Atlanta. In 1976, she made a significant leap to NBC News as a White House correspondent, a position she held for six years, during which she reported on major political events and various presidential administrations.
In 1982, Woodruff transitioned to PBS, where she continued her White House coverage for The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour and contributed to other public affairs programs. She then joined CNN in 1993, co-anchoring Inside Politics and CNN WorldView with Bernard Shaw, focusing on both domestic and international political stories. After leaving CNN in 2005, she made her way back to PBS in 2006.
Once back at NewsHour, Woodruff solidified her status as one of the nation’s top political journalists. In 2013, she became co-anchor alongside Gwen Ifill, taking over from founding anchor Jim Lehrer. The two worked together to lead the program’s journalism until Ifill’s passing in 2016, after which Woodruff took on the role of sole anchor and managing editor.
Throughout her extensive career, Woodruff has reported on every U.S. presidential election and political convention since 1976. She has interviewed countless world leaders and moderated several U.S. presidential debates, earning her reputation as one of the most trusted figures in American political journalism.
In May 2022, Woodruff announced her decision to step down as anchor of PBS NewsHour at the end of the year. Her final broadcast aired on December 30, 2022, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in the program’s history.
Judy Woodruff Age
How old is Judy? She is 79 years old as of 2026. Judy was born on November 20, 1946, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States of America. Besides, she commends her birthday on the 20th of November each year.
Judy Woodruff Education
Judy was enrolled and graduated from the Academy of Richmond County, a high school in Augusta. Besides, she holds a B.A from the University of Duke. In 1963, Woodruff won the beauty pageant Young Miss Augusta.
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Judy Woodruff Nationality
Judy is of American nationality and citizenship. In addition, Judy was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States of America. Besides, she belongs to the white heritage.
Judy Woodruff Height | Measurements
Approximately Judy stands at a height of 5 feet 4 inches (Approx. 1.60 m) tall, as Judy is a woman of average stature. However, she has not disclosed her other body measurements in the public domain.
Judy Woodruff Family | Parents
She was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States under the loving care of her mother Anna Lee Woodruff, and her father William H. Woodruff. Besides, her father was a chief warrant officer in the Army. In addition, she grew up alongside her only sister known as Anita. The two grew up as army brats. When she was five years, Judy moved to Germany from Oklahoma. Besides, she then moved to an army in Missouri and New Jersey prior to returning to Oklahoma.
Judy Woodruff Husband | Children | Partner
Judy is happily married to her lovely husband Al Hunt. Her husband works as a columnist and a retired reporter. Besides, the couple met each other in Plains, Georgia during a softball game between correspondents and staff of the Carter presidential elections. They later tied their wedding knot on April 5, 1980, at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. The pair are blessed with three children, Lauren who was born in 1989, Jeffrey who was born in 1981 and Benjamin who was born in 1986. Besides, Lauren was adopted from Korea at the age of four months.
Judy Woodruff daughter
Judy Woodruff is a proud mother of three, including her daughter, Lauren Woodruff. In various interviews, she has shared insights into how she juggled her demanding career in journalism with family life. However, she tends to keep her children’s lives and personal family matters under wraps, as they are not in the public eye.
Judy Woodruff and Health Rumors
In recent years, there’s been a lot of curiosity and speculation online regarding Judy Woodruff’s health, especially after she stepped down as the anchor of PBS NewsHour in 2022. However, there’s no verified public information suggesting that she suffers from any specific illness or serious health issue. Woodruff hasn’t made any announcements about major health concerns, and she continues to make appearances in both professional and public settings. Consequently, much of the chatter surrounding her health remains unconfirmed
Judy Woodruff’s Speaking Fee
Judy Woodruff is a well-respected American journalist and the longtime face of PBS NewsHour, which has led her to be a sought-after speaker at various academic, civic, and media events. While it’s common for prominent journalists to have speaking fees, there isn’t a publicly available or officially confirmed figure for Judy Woodruff’s rates. Like many high-profile broadcasters, her fees usually vary based on the type of event, the audience, and the organization hosting it, and they are typically arranged through speaker bureaus or event planners rather than being disclosed to the public.
Judy Woodruff Salary
Her primary source of income is her job as a reporter and managing editor of PBS NewsHour. Therefore, she receives an annual average salary of $140,000.
Judy Woodruff’s Net Worth
Judy has been serving in the journalism industry for quite some time now. Over the years, she has been able to accumulate quite a good wealth in her career. Therefore, she has an estimated net worth of $8 million.
Judy Woodruff PBS NewsHour | Retired
Judy Woodruff is a seasoned American broadcast journalist whose impressive career in television news has stretched over more than fifty years, covering everything from local stories to national and international events on network, cable, and public broadcasting. She was the anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour until the end of 2022 and is well-known for her in-depth reporting on U.S. politics and global affairs.
After earning her degree from Duke University in 1968, Woodruff kicked off her career in local television news in Atlanta. In 1976, she made a significant leap to NBC News as a White House correspondent, a position she held for six years, during which she reported on major political events and various presidential administrations.
In 1982, Woodruff transitioned to PBS, where she continued her White House coverage for The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour and contributed to other public affairs programs. She then joined CNN in 1993, co-anchoring Inside Politics and CNN WorldView with Bernard Shaw, focusing on both domestic and international political stories. After leaving CNN in 2005, she made her way back to PBS in 2006.
Once back at NewsHour, Woodruff solidified her status as one of the nation’s top political journalists. In 2013, she became co-anchor alongside Gwen Ifill, taking over from founding anchor Jim Lehrer. The two worked together to lead the program’s journalism until Ifill’s passing in 2016, after which Woodruff took on the role of sole anchor and managing editor.
Throughout her extensive career, Woodruff has reported on every U.S. presidential election and political convention since 1976. She has interviewed countless world leaders and moderated several U.S. presidential debates, earning her reputation as one of the most trusted figures in American political journalism.
In May 2022, Woodruff announced her decision to step down as anchor of PBS NewsHour at the end of the year. Her final broadcast aired on December 30, 2022, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in the program’s history.
Judy Woodruff in 2026
Fast forward to 2026, and Judy Woodruff is still a respected veteran journalist and a significant figure in public media. Although she stepped down as the anchor of PBS NewsHour in 2022, she remains active in journalism-related projects, public discussions, and special reporting initiatives. With a career that spans over fifty years in network, cable, and public television news, she is widely recognized as one of the most trusted voices in American broadcast journalism.
