Ginger Zee Biography, Age, Husband & Career | ABC News

Ginger Zee Biography: From Storm Chaser to ABC News Chief Meteorologist

Ginger Zee is an American television personality and chief meteorologist for ABC News. Here are some key highlights of her life and career:

Early Life and Education

• Family: Ginger was named after the character “Ginger” from the TV show Gilligan’s Island by her Dutch father. Her family moved to Michigan when she was very young.

• Education: She graduated from Rockford High School in Rockford, Michigan, and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from Valparaiso University. She also studied mathematics and Spanish.

Career

• Early Career: Ginger began her career at various media outlets, including WEYI-TV in Flint, Michigan, WYIN-TV in Merrillville, Indiana, and WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

• NBC: She worked at WMAQ in Chicago from 2006-2011, where she occasionally filled in as a guest meteorologist on NBC’s The Today Show.

• ABC News: Ginger joined ABC News in 2011 as the weekend meteorologist for Good Morning America. In 2013, she was promoted to Chief Meteorologist for Good Morning America and weather editor for ABC News.

• Digital Series: She hosts an ABC News original digital series called Food Forecast.

Notable Achievements

• Storm Chasing: Ginger is known for her passion for storm chasing, which she has done since college. She has covered numerous major weather events, including Hurricane Sandy, the Colorado floods, and tornadoes in Oklahoma.

• Adventure: Her love of adventure has taken her to various parts of the world, including para-hawking in Nepal, flying a drone into a volcano in Iceland, and diving with sharks in the Bahamas.

• Awards: Ginger has received several awards for her work, including the CBM Seal for Meteorology and multiple Emmy Awards.

Personal Interest

• Hobbies: In addition to her professional work, Ginger enjoys adventure sports, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Ginger Zee’s career is marked by her dedication to meteorology, her adventurous spirit, and her commitment to delivering accurate weather forecasts to viewers.

Age:

Ginger Zee, born Ginger Renée Zuidgeest, on January 13, 1981, Ginger Zee is 44 years old as of 2025. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn. Ginger is of Dutch descent and holds American nationality.

Parents and Siblings:

Ginger was born to Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft and Robert Zuidgeest. She has a stepfather named Carl Craft and two half-sisters, Adrianna and Elaina Craft.

Her paternal grandparents, Adriaan Cornelis “Adrian” Zuidgeest and Hillegonda “Hilda” Zuidgeest, immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands. She has two younger brothers, Sean Jeffrey Zuidgeest and Walter “Wally” Zuidgeest.

Husband:

Ginger Zee is married to Benjamin Aaron Colonomos, known as Ben Aaron,  a television personality known for his work on shows like “Crazy Talk” and “Pickler & Ben.”

The couple tied the knot on June 7, 2014, and they have two sons together: Adrian Benjamin Colonomos, born in December 2015, and Miles Macklin Colonomos, born in February 2018.  The family resides in Rockland County, New York.

Height:

Ginger Zee stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) and weighs around 56 kg (123 lbs). Her body measurements are 34-25-34 inches.

Career and Background:

Early Career

• WEYI-TV (NBC): Ginger began her career at WEYI-TV in Flint, Michigan, from 2003 to 2005. During her time there, she honed her skills in meteorology and gained valuable experience in weather reporting. This was her first step into the world of broadcast journalism.

• WYIN-TV (NBC): Following her stint at WEYI-TV, Ginger moved to WYIN-TV in Merrillville, Indiana. Here, she continued to build her experience as a meteorologist and weather reporter, further solidifying her passion for meteorology and broadcasting.

WLAV-FM and WOOD-TV (CBS)

• WLAV-FM: Ginger also worked at WLAV-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At this radio station, she gained additional experience in weather reporting, expanding her skills in a different medium and understanding the intricacies of radio meteorology.

• WOOD-TV: While in Grand Rapids, Ginger worked at WOOD-TV, a CBS affiliate. As part of the Storm Team 8, she covered weather, science, and environmental issues. Her time at WOOD-TV allowed her to engage with a diverse range of weather-related topics and present complex meteorological information to the public.

WBMA-LD ABC 33/40 (ABC)

• WBMA-LD: Ginger had the opportunity to intern under chief meteorologist James Spann at WBMA-LD ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama. This internship provided her with invaluable mentorship and hands-on experience, shaping her into a more proficient and knowledgeable meteorologist.

WMAQ-TV (NBC)

• WMAQ-TV: From 2006 to 2011, Ginger worked at WMAQ-TV in Chicago, Illinois. As a meteorologist, she provided weather forecasts and reports for the station. Additionally, she filled in as a guest meteorologist on the weekend edition of The Today Show, showcasing her talent on a national platform.

ABC News

• Good Morning America Weekend: Ginger joined ABC News in October 2011 as the weekend meteorologist for Good Morning America. Her role involved providing weather updates and reports for the weekend edition of the show, reaching a wide audience across the country.

• Chief Meteorologist: In December 2013, Ginger was promoted to Chief Meteorologist for Good Morning America and became the weather editor for ABC News. In this role, she has been responsible for delivering weather reports, covering major weather events, and providing expert analysis on meteorological topics.

Notable Coverage

Ginger Zee has covered numerous significant weather events throughout her career. Here are some of her notable weather coverages:

• Hurricane Sandy (2012): Ginger reported from the devastated Jersey Shore, providing live updates on the impact of the hurricane and the recovery efforts.

• Colorado Floods and Wildfires (2013): She covered the severe floods and wildfires in Colorado, highlighting the destruction and the challenges faced by the affected communities.

• Boston Blizzard (2013): During the record-breaking blizzard in Boston, Ginger provided extensive coverage of the extreme weather conditions and their impact on the city.

• Death Valley Heat Wave (2013): She reported on the extreme heat wave in Death Valley, which broke several temperature records.

• Moore and El Reno Tornadoes (2013): Ginger covered the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes in Moore and El Reno, Oklahoma, offering insights into the destruction and recovery efforts.

• Hurricane Matthew (2016): She reported on Hurricane Matthew’s path along the east coast, providing updates on the storm’s impact and safety measures.

Net Worth and Salary:

Ginger Zee’s net worth is estimated to be $2.5 million. Her net worth is primarily attributed to her successful career as a meteorologist and television personality.

Over the years, she has built a strong reputation in the field, which has contributed to her financial success.

Her net worth includes her earnings from her various roles in the media industry, as well as any investments and assets she may have accumulated.

As the Chief Meteorologist for Good Morning America, Ginger Zee earns an annual salary of approximately $500,000.

This impressive salary reflects her expertise, experience, and the significant role she plays at ABC News.

Being one of the highest-paid meteorologists in the United States, her salary is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her craft.

In addition to her role at Good Morning America, Ginger may also earn additional income through public speaking engagements, book deals, and other professional opportunities related to her field.

Ginger Zee’s voice issue:

Recently, Ginger Zee has been dealing with laryngitis, which has caused her voice to become hoarse and weak.

She has been battling through this while continuing to deliver her weather forecasts on Good Morning America.

Her fans have expressed concern and sent her well wishes, and Ginger herself has acknowledged that her allergies have contributed to her current condition.

Is Ginger Zee Married:

Yes, Ginger Zee is still married. She is married to Ben Aaron, a journalist and co-host of the show “Pickler & Ben.”

The couple got married in June 2014 and have continued to thrive in their careers while prioritizing their relationship.

They celebrated their 8-year wedding anniversary in June 2022. Ginger often shares sweet tributes to Ben on social media, reflecting their strong bond and love for each other.

How Old Is Ginger Zee:

Ginger Zee is 44 years old, having been born on January 13, 1981.

Are Ginger Zee and Sara Haines related?

No, Ginger Zee and Sara Haines are not related. Despite rumors and their close working relationship at ABC News, they do not share any family connections through blood or marriage. Ginger Zee’s siblings are Sean Jeffrey Zuidgeest, Elaina Craft, and Adrianna Craft.

Where Is Ginger Zee or Is she still working at ABC News?:

Ginger Zee is still actively working at ABC News as the Chief Meteorologist. She continues to appear regularly on “Good Morning America” and other ABC News programs, providing weather forecasts and covering major weather events across the country.

Here are some interesting facts about Ginger Zee:

• Named After a TV Character: Ginger Zee was named after the character Ginger Grant from the TV show “Gilligan’s Island” by her Dutch father, who learned English by watching the show.

• Narcolepsy Diagnosis: She was diagnosed with narcolepsy at the age of 21. Despite this, she has managed to build a successful career in meteorology.

• Battle with Anorexia: Ginger Zee has openly discussed her struggle with anorexia during her childhood, which she battled until she was 14 years old.

• Homecoming Queen: She was crowned homecoming queen during her senior year at Rockford High School in Michigan.

• Dancing with the Stars: Ginger competed in season 22 of “Dancing with the Stars” and made it to the finals.
• Memoir Author: She authored a memoir titled “Natural Disaster: I Cover Them. I Am One.” in 2017, where she shares her personal and professional journey.

• Adventurous Spirit: Known for her adventurous spirit, she has participated in activities like para-hawking in Nepal and diving with sharks in the Bahamas.

• Guest Host on The Today Show: Before joining ABC, she once guest-hosted the weather segment on “The Today Show,” fulfilling a personal goal.

Ginger is active on social media, where she shares updates about her work, family, and personal adventures. You can follow her on Twitter @ginger_Zee and on her Instagram @ginger_zee.