Leyla Santiago Biography
Leyla Santiago is a well-respected foreign correspondent, journalist, and media educator who currently holds the position of Professor of the Practice at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. She became part of the university faculty in the fall of 2023 after an impressive career in local, national, and international broadcast journalism.
Before making the leap into academia, Santiago served as a correspondent for CNN in Miami. During her tenure with the network, she gained recognition for her insightful reporting on a range of topics, including natural disasters, immigration, politics, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the intricate relations between the United States and Latin America. Her work often found her on the frontlines of significant breaking news stories and humanitarian crises.
In acknowledgment of her growing impact in the field of broadcast journalism, Santiago was featured on Crain NewsPro’s “12 to Watch in TV News” list in 2019.
Before her time at CNN, Santiago honed her skills in various local television markets across the United States, including WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina; KBAK-TV and KBFX in Bakersfield, California; KTUU-TV in Anchorage, Alaska; and WVIR-TV, also known as NBC29, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
In 2020, she joined CNN’s political reporting team, where she covered the U.S. presidential campaign trail. Her reporting focused on the campaigns of Beto O’Rourke and Elizabeth Warren, highlighting voter concerns and the issues that matter to communities nationwide.
One of Santiago’s standout assignments took place in 2018 when she spent nearly a month traveling through Mexico with a migrant caravan that gained national attention following remarks from President Donald Trump. Her reporting brought to light the personal stories of migrant families while also shedding light on the legal and political complexities of U.S. immigration policy.
Santiago has garnered a lot of praise for her documentary work. She was honored with the esteemed Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for her film The Journey Alone, which dives into the rise of unaccompanied minors making the dangerous trek across the U.S.-Mexico border from Central America and Mexico in 2014.
Her in-depth reporting on Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico also boosted her reputation as an investigative journalist. Santiago was one of the first reporters to reach the hard-hit, remote communities after the hurricane struck. Her findings revealed inconsistencies in the government’s official death toll, prompting officials to adjust the number of fatalities linked to the disaster. For her exceptional coverage, she received a nomination for a Peabody Award, and her team was recognized with an Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding journalism.
Leyla Santiago Age
How old is Leyla? She is 45 years old as of 2026. Leyla was born on July 12, 1980, in Mexico. Besides, she celebrates her birthday on the 12th of July each year.
Leyla Santiago Education
Leyla was enrolled at the University of Florida, after finishing her High School studies. While there, Santiago graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
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Leyla Santiago Nationality
Leyla is of Mexican nationality and citizenship. In addition, Leyla was born and grew up in Mexico. Besides, she belongs to the white heritage.
Leyla Santiago Height | Measurements
Leyla stands approximately at the height of 5 feet 4 inches (Approx. 1.62 m) tall, as Leyla is a woman of average stature. However, she has not shared any details regarding her other body measurements in the public domain.
Leyla Santiago Family | Parents
Leyla was born and grew up in Mexico under the loving care of her mother and father. Besides, she once shared a video with her family members and parents at CNN News station. In addition, she grew up alongside her two siblings whose names are still not available. Thus, our team is keeping close tabs on this segment and we will update this as soon as possible.
Leyla Santiago Husband | Children | Partner
Currently, she is a married woman. Besides, Leyla is married to her beloved and handsome husband Zac Gooch. In addition, Zac works as a videographer. Besides, the couple once traveled to Cuba to explore the changing relationship between the United States of America and the Island country. The pair’s trip yielded a grant-winning documentary called Inside Cuba.
Leyla Santiago Salary
She worked as a correspondent and journalist at CNN News. Therefore, Leyla earned a decent salary as a CNN News anchor and reporter. Her annual estimated salary was $110,000.
Leyla Santiago’s Net Worth
Leyla served as a CNN News anchor and reporter. Therefore, there is no question that she has garnered a decent wealth over the years. Her average net worth is $5 million.
Leyla Santiago UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Leyla Santiago is a Professor of the Practice at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. She became part of the university faculty in the fall of 2023 after an impressive career in local, national, and international broadcast journalism.
Before making the leap into academia, Santiago served as a correspondent for CNN in Miami. During her tenure with the network, she gained recognition for her insightful reporting on a range of topics, including natural disasters, immigration, politics, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the intricate relations between the United States and Latin America. Her work often found her on the frontlines of significant breaking news stories and humanitarian crises.
In acknowledgment of her growing impact in the field of broadcast journalism, Santiago was featured on Crain NewsPro’s “12 to Watch in TV News” list in 2019.
Before her time at CNN, Santiago honed her skills in various local television markets across the United States, including WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina; KBAK-TV and KBFX in Bakersfield, California; KTUU-TV in Anchorage, Alaska; and WVIR-TV, also known as NBC29, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
In 2020, she joined CNN’s political reporting team, where she covered the U.S. presidential campaign trail. Her reporting focused on the campaigns of Beto O’Rourke and Elizabeth Warren, highlighting voter concerns and the issues that matter to communities nationwide.
One of Santiago’s standout assignments took place in 2018 when she spent nearly a month traveling through Mexico with a migrant caravan that gained national attention following remarks from President Donald Trump. Her reporting brought to light the personal stories of migrant families while also shedding light on the legal and political complexities of U.S. immigration policy.
Santiago has garnered a lot of praise for her documentary work. She was honored with the esteemed Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for her film The Journey Alone, which dives into the rise of unaccompanied minors making the dangerous trek across the U.S.-Mexico border from Central America and Mexico in 2014.
