Renee Chou Biography: Age, Husband | WRAL-TV Anchor

Renee Chou Biography: Morning & Noon Anchor for WRAL-TV

Renee Chou is a talented journalist and anchor at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. She serves as the Morning and Noon Anchor for WRAL-TV and Fox 50. Here’s a brief overview of her career and background:

Early Life and Education

• Birthplace: Renee Chou was born in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

• Education: She graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Journalism degree.

Career

• Early Career: Renee began her career at KOMU-TV8 in Columbia, Missouri, where she worked as a reporter.

• KCRG-TV: She then moved to KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she served as an anchor and reporter from 1998 to 2004.

• WRAL-TV: Renee joined WRAL-TV in October 2004 as a general assignment reporter. She worked her way up to become the weekend morning and evening anchor, and in 2014, she was named the weekday morning anchor. In 2016, she added the noon news anchor responsibilities to her role.

Notable Achievements

• Emmy Awards: Renee has won several Regional Emmys for her work, including one for General Assignment in 2015 and another for Weekend Newscast in 2013.

• Hurricane Sandy Coverage: Her coverage of Hurricane Sandy on the Outer Banks won her a Regional Emmy for Weekend Newscast and an NC Associated Press Broadcast Award for Best Weather Reporting.

• Kathy Taft Murder Trial: She received a Regional Emmy for News Special for her coverage of the Kathy Taft murder trial in 2013.

Personal Interests and Impact

• Public Speaking and Mentoring: Renee is passionate about public speaking and mentoring the next generation of journalists. She frequently participates in events and seminars to share her knowledge and experiences.

• Community Service: She believes journalism is a service to the community and aims to provide the information that helps people lead better lives.

• Hobbies: Renee enjoys tennis, cycling, beach visits, and curling up with a good book. She also loves musicals and has a passion for traditional Chinese dance.

Parents and Siblings:

Renee Chou was born and raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Her parents, Clifford and her mother, immigrated from Taiwan, which played a significant role in shaping her cultural identity.

Renee has a brother named Kelvin, and they shared a close bond growing up.

Her upbringing was deeply influenced by her Taiwanese heritage. At home, her parents spoke Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese, and they maintained many traditional customs.

Renee attended Chinese school every Saturday from kindergarten through high school, which she initially resented but later appreciated as a valuable part of her cultural education.

Despite the challenges of being different in a predominantly non-Asian community, Renee’s parents instilled in her a strong sense of pride in her heritage.

They worked hard to provide for the family, and although they couldn’t afford frequent trips to Taiwan, they made sure to visit every five years.

Renee’s parents have since retired and now travel back to Taiwan annually.

She cherishes the time she gets to spend with them and hopes to pass on the same appreciation for her cultural roots to her daughter, Elsa.

Husband:

Renee Chou is married to Mike, who has been the Morning Show host on 94.7 WQDR-Raleigh for 25 years and is a member of the Q Morning Crew.

They got married on December 7, 2008. The couple has one daughter, Elsa Leelin, who was born on May 9, 2014. Renee and Mike enjoy spending time together as a family and are very involved in community activities.

Height:

Renee Chou stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches (approximately 1.68 meters).

She weighs around 127 lbs (approximately 57.6 kg). Her body measurements are 35-28-37 inches (bust-waist-hip).

Career and Background:

Renee Chou has built an impressive career in journalism, marked by her dedication to storytelling and her ability to connect with audiences.

She began her career as a journalist with a dedication to delivering impactful news. She joined WRAL-TV in 2004 and has become one of the most recognized faces in Raleigh, NC.

Renee’s role as a morning and noon anchor on WRAL-TV and Fox 50 involves presenting breaking news and covering significant stories.

Her journalistic excellence has earned her multiple awards, including several Emmy nominations.

Early Career

• KOMU-TV8: Renee began her career as a reporter at KOMU-TV8 in Columbia, Missouri, while she was still in college at the University of Missouri. This early experience provided her with a strong foundation in journalism.

• KCRG-TV: After graduating, Renee worked at KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from 1998 to 2004. There, she served as an anchor and reporter, covering a wide range of stories and honing her skills in broadcast journalism.

WRAL-TV

• Joining WRAL-TV: In October 2004, Renee joined WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina, as a general assignment reporter. Her ability to tell compelling stories quickly earned her a prominent position at the station.

• Weekend Morning and Evening Anchor: Over the years, Renee’s role expanded. She became the weekend morning and evening anchor, where she covered important stories and events.

• Weekday Morning Anchor: In 2014, Renee was promoted to weekday morning anchor, a role that allowed her to reach a broader audience and become a familiar face to viewers starting their day.

• Noon News Anchor: In 2016, she added the responsibilities of anchoring the noon news to her schedule, further solidifying her position as a key member of the WRAL-TV team.

Notable Achievements

Here are the notable stories covered by Renee Chou, numbered for clarity:

• Hurricane Florence

  • During Hurricane Florence in 2018, Renee provided continuous coverage of the devastating storm. One of the most heart-wrenching stories she reported was about a young boy named Kaiden, who tragically lost his life when floodwaters swept away his mother’s car. Renee’s emotional coverage of this story resonated deeply with viewers and highlighted the human impact of natural disasters.

• Hurricane Sandy

  • Renee’s coverage of Hurricane Sandy on the Outer Banks earned her a Regional Emmy for Weekend Newscast and an NC Associated Press Broadcast Award for Best Weather Reporting. Her reporting during this time showcased her ability to convey the severity of the situation while maintaining professionalism and compassion.

• Kathy Taft Murder Trial

  • Renee received a Regional Emmy for News Special for her coverage of the Kathy Taft murder trial in 2013. Her in-depth reporting and dedication to uncovering the truth were recognized with this prestigious award.

• Community Stories

  • Renee has also been involved in covering various community stories that highlight the resilience and strength of individuals and communities. For example, she has reported on local heroes, community events, and initiatives that make a positive impact on the Raleigh area.

• Cultural Stories

  • Renee has shared personal stories about her own cultural heritage and experiences, such as her reflections on celebrating the Chinese New Year with her daughter. These stories help to bridge cultural gaps and promote understanding and appreciation of diverse backgrounds.

Awards and Recognitions

Renee Chou has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, highlighting her dedication and excellence in journalism:

Regional Emmy Awards

• General Assignment: Renee won a Regional Emmy for General Assignment in 2015.

• Weekend Newscast: Her coverage of Hurricane Sandy on the Outer Banks earned her a Regional Emmy for Weekend Newscast.

• News Special: She received a Regional Emmy for News Special for her coverage of the Kathy Taft murder trial in 2013.

Other Awards and Recognitions

• NC Associated Press Broadcast Award: Renee won the award for Best Weather Reporting for her coverage of Hurricane Sandy.

• North Carolina Association of Broadcasters (NCAB): Renee and her colleagues at WRAL-TV have been honored by the NCAB for their outstanding contributions to broadcasting.

• Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC): Renee has been recognized by RTDNAC for her impactful reporting and dedication to journalism.

• Iowa Associated Press Broadcasters Association: She has received accolades from this association for her work while at KCRG-TV.

• Missouri Broadcasters Association: Renee was recognized by this association during her time at KOMU-TV.

Recent Nominations

• Best Morning Newscast: Renee was nominated for a Regional Emmy for Best Morning Newscast in 2020.

Here are some of Renee Chou’s close colleagues at WRAL-TV, including reporters and anchors:

• Debra Morgan: Longtime anchor who continues to helm the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts.

• Lena Tillett: Evening anchor and reporter who covers women’s issues, race, public health, and local politics.

• Dan Haggerty: Anchors multiple evening newscasts and hosts the In Depth news segments.

• Ashley Rowe: Joined WRAL in 2023, covering a variety of news topics.

• Chris Lovingood: Emmy and Murrow Award-winning anchor who joined WRAL in 2021.

• Jeff Hogan: Morning news anchor with over 30 years of television experience.

• Brian Shrader: Traffic anchor and member of the WRAL Severe Weather Team.

• Kacy Hintz: Sports anchor and reporter.

These colleagues, along with Renee, contribute to the success and collaborative environment at WRAL-TV.

Net Worth and Salary:

Renee Chou’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. This wealth has been accumulated through her successful career as a journalist and anchor.

As for her salary, Renee earns an average annual salary of around $92,829. Her salary has increased significantly since she started working at WRAL-TV in 2004.

Over the years, her dedication and contributions to journalism have been recognized with various awards and accolades, further boosting her financial stability.

Is Renee Chou Married?

Yes, Renee Chou is married to Mike. The couple has one daughter, Elsa Leelin, who was born on May 9, 2014.

How Old Is Renee Chou?

Renee Chou is 46 years old as of 2024. She was born on February 3, 1977, in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Where Is Renee Chou Working At?

Renee Chou is currently working at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. She serves multiple roles at the station:

• Weekend Evening Anchor/Reporter: Renee anchors the evening news on weekends.

• Weekday Morning Anchor: She also anchors the morning news on weekdays.

• Noon News Anchor: In addition to her morning duties, Renee anchors the noon news.

Renee has been with WRAL-TV since 2004 and has taken on various roles over the years, showcasing her versatility and dedication to journalism.

Renee Chou is active on social media. She interacts with her fans quite often and has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.