Cecilia Vega Biography: A Journalist’s Journey from Local News to 60 Minutes
Cecilia Vega is a prominent American journalist and correspondent currently working for 60 Minutes. Prior to her role at 60 Minutes, she held significant positions at ABC News, including serving as the network’s Chief White House Correspondent and co-anchoring Good Morning America.
Early Life and Education
Cecilia Vega was born and raised in the Bay Area, California. She graduated from Salesian High School in Richmond, California, and later attended American University in Washington, D.C., where she graduated in 1999 with a degree in French and print journalism.
Here’s a brief overview of her career:
- ABC News: During her time at ABC News, she covered major national and international events, including presidential elections, the Fukushima power plant disaster, the appointment of Pope Francis, and the 2014 Ebola epidemic.
- Chief White House Correspondent: Vega served as the Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News, covering the Trump and Biden administrations. She conducted numerous interviews with President Biden and members of his administration.
- 60 Minutes: In 2023, Vega joined 60 Minutes, where she continues to report on significant news stories and conduct in-depth interviews.
Vega is known for her insightful reporting, engaging interviews, and ability to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner. She has received numerous awards for her work, including an Emmy Award.
Age:
Cecilia Vega was born on January 7, 1977, which makes her 47 years old. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn. She is of Latino ethnicity and her nationality is American.
Parents and Siblings:
Cecilia Vega was born and raised in the Bay Area, California, to a family of blue-collar workers. Her parents are American nationals, and she has mentioned that her mother lives in Oakland. Cecilia is a grandchild of Mexican immigrants, which has influenced her cultural background and upbringing.
Husband:
Cecilia Vega is married to Ricardo Jiménez, a retired California Highway Patrol officer. Ricardo was honored for his bravery in a dangerous Bay Bridge rescue in 2015, showcasing his dedication to public service.
The couple got married on May 4, 2008, and they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in August 2023. They share a close bond and often share their anniversary celebrations on social media.
As of 2023, Cecilia Vega does not have any children. However, she and Ricardo have a beloved Boston Terrier named Jalisco, whom they adopted on their 12th wedding anniversary.
Jalisco is a cherished member of their family, and they often share pictures and updates about him on social media.
Height, Weight:
Cecilia Vega stands at a height of 5 feet 6.5 inches (168.91 cm). Her weight is approximately 54 kg (119 lbs).
CBS News as a correspondent for 60 Minutes
Career at 60 Minutes
Cecilia Vega’s first story for 60 Minutes aired on May 14, 2023, and focused on sperm whales. Since then, she has reported on a variety of significant topics, including:
- Saudi Government and 9/11: Unveiling never-before-seen video that raises questions about whether the Saudi government provided crucial assistance to the hijackers during the 9/11 terror attacks.
- Russian Abduction of Ukrainian Children: Reporting from Ukraine and Poland on the dangerous journey mothers are taking to find their abducted children.
- Horse Doping Investigation: Shining a spotlight on one of the biggest horse doping investigations in U.S. history, revealing incriminating wiretaps that helped crack the case.
- Federal Women’s Prison: Reporting from inside a federal women’s prison, highlighting issues of understaffing, abuse, and disrepair.
- Governor Interviews: Interviewing Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott on his controversial efforts to deter illegal border crossings and California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom on his approach to addressing the state’s mental health crisis.
Impact and Recognition
Cecilia Vega’s work at 60 Minutes has been impactful, bringing attention to critical issues and providing in-depth reporting on major stories.
Career and Background:
Cecilia Vega began her journalism career as a print reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. She later transitioned to broadcast journalism, joining ABC News in 2011.
Her assignments included covering presidential campaigns, natural disasters, and high-profile interviews. Vega was the first Latina to hold the role of chief White House correspondent for ABC News.
Her commitment to journalism has earned her multiple awards and accolades.
Here’s a detailed look at her career journey:
Early Career
Cecilia Vega began her journalism career in 1999 as a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, covering then-Mayor Gavin Newsom’s administration.
Her reporting received accolades from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the East Bay Press Club, and the Hearst Corporation.
Local News
In 2002, Vega transitioned to broadcast journalism, working as a general assignment reporter for ABC’s KGO-TV in San Francisco.
During her time at KGO-TV, she covered numerous stories and won a Northern California Emmy Award for the Best Daytime Newscast in a Large Market in 2010.
ABC News
In 2011, Vega joined ABC News as a Los Angeles-based correspondent. She covered significant events such as the Fukushima power plant disaster, the 2014 Ebola epidemic in the United States, and the 2016 Summer Olympics. She also reported on the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.
World News Tonight
In March 2015, Vega became the anchor for the Saturday edition of “World News Tonight,” with Tom Llamas anchoring the Sunday edition. In January 2017, she was named the full-time weekend anchor of the show.
Chief White House Correspondent
In January 2021, Vega was named ABC News’ Chief White House Correspondent, making her the first Latina woman to hold the title for an English-language network.
During her tenure, she covered major stories, including the U.S.-Mexico border crisis and the Trump administration.
60 Minutes
In January 2023, Vega joined CBS News as a correspondent for “60 Minutes,” becoming the first Latina correspondent for the program. Her first story was about sperm whales, which aired on May 14, 2023.
Since then, she has reported on various significant topics, including the Saudi government’s involvement in the 9/11 attacks and the Russian abduction of Ukrainian children.
Notable Stories
Cecilia Vega has covered numerous notable stories throughout her career, showcasing her versatility and dedication to impactful journalism. Here are some of her most significant reports:
- 2016 U.S. Presidential Election: Vega extensively covered the 2016 presidential campaign and election, providing in-depth analysis and reporting on the candidates and key issues.
- Fukushima Power Plant Disaster: She reported on the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan, highlighting the global implications and response efforts.
- 2014 Ebola Epidemic: Vega covered the Ebola outbreak in the United States, providing crucial information and updates to the public during a time of widespread concern.
- Sony Computer Hacking: She reported on the major cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, investigating the implications and fallout from the breach.
- 2016 Summer Olympics: Vega covered the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, bringing stories of athletes and events to viewers around the world.
- U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis: As Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News, she reported on the U.S.-Mexico border crisis, focusing on the humanitarian and political aspects of the situation.
- Saudi Government and 9/11: At CBS News, Vega reported on newly uncovered evidence suggesting potential Saudi government involvement in the 9/11 terror attacks.
- Russian Abduction of Ukrainian Children: She covered the harrowing stories of Ukrainian mothers searching for their abducted children, shedding light on the human impact of the conflict.
- Federal Women’s Prison: Vega reported from inside a federal women’s prison, exposing issues of understaffing, abuse, and disrepair.
- Horse Doping Investigation: She highlighted one of the biggest horse doping investigations in U.S. history, revealing incriminating wiretaps that helped crack the case.
Cecilia Vega has received several awards and honors throughout her career, recognizing her outstanding contributions to journalism. Here are some of the notable ones:
- Northern California Emmy Award: In 2010, Vega won a Northern California Emmy Award for the Best Daytime Newscast in a Large Market while working at KGO-TV in San Francisco.
- National Latina Journalist of the Year: In November 2024, Vega was named National Latina Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and CCNMA Latino Journalists of California. This award honors her journalistic achievements and her dedication to mentoring young Hispanic journalists.
- Emmy Award: Vega is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, recognized for her impactful reporting and contributions to broadcast journalism.
- Excelencia Awards: In addition to the National Latina Journalist of the Year award, Vega has been honored with other Excelencia Awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions to the advancement of Hispanic journalists, educators, professionals, and students.
Cecilia Vega has worked with many notable colleagues throughout her career at ABC News and CBS News. Some of her close colleagues include:
- Tom Llamas: While at ABC News, Cecilia Vega worked alongside Tom Llamas, who was also a correspondent and anchor. They both covered significant events and stories together.
- David Muir: As a fellow anchor and correspondent at ABC News, David Muir and Cecilia Vega often collaborated on major news stories and broadcasts.
- George Stephanopoulos: Cecilia Vega worked with George Stephanopoulos, the Chief Anchor and Correspondent at ABC News, on various news segments and special reports.
- Natalie Morales: At CBS News, Cecilia Vega joined forces with Natalie Morales, who is now a correspondent and contributor to “48 Hours.” They have worked together on various news projects and reports.
- Robert Costa: Another notable colleague at CBS News is Robert Costa, who joined the network from the Washington Post. They have collaborated on election coverage and other significant news stories.
Cecilia Vega’s ability to work with such esteemed colleagues speaks to her talent and professionalism in the field of journalism.
Net Worth and Salary:
Cecilia Vega has built a successful career in journalism, which has contributed to her substantial net worth. Here are the details:
Net Worth
Cecilia Vega’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million. This wealth has been accumulated through her extensive career in journalism, including her roles at ABC News and CBS News.
Salary
Cecilia Vega’s annual base salary is over $800,000. This figure reflects her experience and the high-profile positions she has held, such as Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News and her current role as a correspondent for “60 Minutes” at CBS News.
Career Progression
Cecilia Vega’s career began in 1999 as a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. She later joined ABC News in 2011, where she covered significant events and eventually became the Chief White House Correspondent.
In January 2023, she joined CBS News as a correspondent for “60 Minutes,” continuing her impactful reporting.
Cecilia Vega’s financial success and career achievements highlight her dedication and hard work in the field of journalism.
She continues to be a prominent figure in the news industry, known for her insightful reporting and commitment to delivering accurate and impactful news.
Is Cecilia Vega Married?
Yes, Cecilia Vega is married to Ricardo Jiménez, a retired California Highway Patrol officer. They have been married since May 4, 2008, and they share a beloved Boston Terrier named Jalisco.
How Old Is Cecilia Vega?
Cecilia Vega was born on January 7, 1977, which makes her 47 years old. Her native language is English, but given her Latino heritage, she likely has some proficiency in Spanish as well.
Why Did Cecilia Vega Leave ABC News?
Cecilia Vega left ABC News to join CBS News as a correspondent for 60 Minutes. This move was a significant career shift for her and allowed her to take on a role with one of the most prestigious news programs in the industry.
Vega described the opportunity as a “dream come true” and expressed her excitement and honor at joining the ranks of 60 Minutes, a show known for its in-depth and impactful journalism.
This transition also marked a historic moment as she became the first Latina correspondent in the program’s 55-year history.
Vega’s decision to leave ABC News was driven by the chance to be part of a renowned show and continue her commitment to high-quality journalism.
Where Is Cecilia Vega Now?
Currently, Cecilia Vega is working at CBS News as a correspondent for 60 Minutes. Based in Washington, D.C., she continues to report on significant and impactful stories for the show.
Her work at 60 Minutes has already included notable stories on topics such as sperm whales and the Saudi government’s involvement in the 9/11 attacks.
Vega’s role at 60 Minutes allows her to delve into critical issues and provide in-depth reporting to a broad audience, maintaining her position as a respected and influential journalist.
Cecilia Vega is active on social media. She maintains a presence on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, where she shares updates about her work, behind-the-scenes insights, and her perspective on current events. You can follow her to stay updated on her latest reports and contributions to journalism.
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