Kimberly Hunt Biography: ABC 10News Anchor | Age, Husband

San Diego Anchor & Emmy Winner Kimberly Hunt
San Diego Anchor & Emmy Winner Kimberly Hunt

Kimberly Hunt Biography: ABC 10News Anchor & Awards

Kimberly Hunt is a 13-time Emmy award-winning journalist and the lead anchor at ABC 10News in San Diego, California.

With a career spanning decades, she is one of the most recognized and respected figures in Southern California news broadcasting.

Here’s a summary of her biography:

  • Current Role: Chief and primary anchor and managing editor for KGTV ABC 10News in San Diego. She appears on the 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 11 p.m. weeknight newscasts with Steve Atkinson.
  • Early Career: She began her career as a researcher for ABC World News Tonight anchor Peter Jennings and later worked as an Associate Producer for ABC’s Monday Night Football. She also anchored at the CBS affiliate KMST (now KION-TV) in Monterey, California.
  • San Diego Tenure:

    • She moved to San Diego in 1987 as an anchor for KGTV (ABC 10News). 
    • For 15 years, she co-anchored the evening news with Carol LeBeau, forming the longest-running female anchor team in the U.S. 
    • She joined KUSI News in October 2002 and anchored the 6 p.m., 10 p.m., and 11 p.m. weeknight newscasts for five years. She also hosted the weekend show “San Diego People.”
    • In January 2008, she rejoined the 10News team at KGTV.
  • Awards and Recognition:

    • Multiple Regional Emmy Awards: Including awards for Best Investigative News Story, Best Feature News Story, Best Journalistic Enterprise, and Best Evening Newscast. 
    • Edward R. Murrow Award (2011): For her story “Tracking the Mexican Mafia – Inside Donovan State Prison.”
    • San Diego Press Club Awards: Two first-place awards for her coverage of “Open Air Brothels in San Diego’s canyons” and her report on “Sex Trafficking.” 
    • Golden Mic Award: For a special titled “Postcards From Home” during the Persian Gulf War.
    • Attorney General’s Crime Prevention Award: For her body of work.
  • Notable Interviews and Coverage: Throughout her career, Kimberly Hunt has interviewed sitting presidents, Oprah Winfrey, and numerous other military, political, and business leaders.

She has reported live from major events like the Academy Awards, Super Bowl games, and political conventions.

  • Community Involvement: Kimberly Hunt is actively involved in the San Diego community, volunteering and emceeing for numerous organizations, including The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Dia Del Sol (United Cerebral Palsy), The March of Dimes, The San Diego Burn Institute, and Mama’s Kitchen.

In December 2023, it was reported that Kimberly Hunt suffered a significant orthopedic injury and would be off work for several weeks but was in good spirits. She has since returned to her anchoring duties.

Age:

Kimberly Hunt was born on August 18, 1961, which makes her 63 years old as of 2025. Her zodiac sign is Leo. She is of White ethnicity and holds American nationality.

Parents and Siblings:

Kimberly Hunt was born and raised in Ventura, California. Her family has a strong history of law enforcement service.

Her father served as a lieutenant with the California Highway Patrol, and her grandfather was a constable with the Ojai Police Department.

This background likely instilled in her a sense of discipline and commitment, which she carried into her journalism career.

Husband:

Kimberly Hunt is married to Billy Ray Smith Jr., a former professional football player who was a linebacker in the NFL for ten seasons during the 1980s and 1990s.

He played his entire career with the San Diego Chargers and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. The couple tied the knot in June 1990, and their marriage has been a celebrated partnership in San Diego.

They have one daughter, Savannah Marie Smith, who is a Cornell University graduate.

Savannah has been a source of pride for the couple, and they have often spoken about the joy of raising her while balancing their successful careers.

The family shares a close bond and has been actively involved in various charitable causes together.

Height, Weight:

Kimberly Hunt is approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters) tall and is estimated to weigh between 130 and 140 pounds (59 to 64 kilograms), based on her slender build and public appearances.

Career and Background:

Kimberly Hunt has built an illustrious career in broadcast journalism spanning over three decades, earning her 13 regional Emmy Awards and a reputation as one of San Diego’s most trusted news anchors.

Below is an overview of her career trajectory, including all the stations she has worked at, based on available information:

Hunt’s journalism journey began during her college years at San Francisco State University, where she worked as a radio news reporter for KVON/KVYN Radio in Napa, California.

This early role allowed her to hone her reporting skills in a local setting before she graduated and moved into larger markets.

ABC Network News

After college, Hunt joined ABC Network News in 1984, starting as a researcher for Peter Jennings during the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.

This role gave her a behind-the-scenes look at national news production. She then transitioned to an associate producer position for ABC’s Monday Night Football, gaining experience in sports broadcasting and production, which broadened her skill set before she shifted to on-air roles.

Her first on-air television gig came at KMST (now KION-TV), a CBS affiliate in Monterey, California. There, she worked as a reporter and anchor, marking her entry into local TV news and setting the stage for her move to a bigger market.

In 1987, Hunt relocated to San Diego to join KGTV (ABC 10News), where she became a co-anchor for the evening newscasts alongside Carol LeBeau.

This partnership lasted 15 years, making them the longest-running female anchor team in U.S. history at the time.

During this initial stint at KGTV, she covered significant local and regional stories, establishing herself as a key figure in San Diego journalism.

In October 2002, Hunt left KGTV to join KUSI News, a San Diego independent station.

She anchored the 6 p.m., 10 p.m., and 11 p.m. weeknight newscasts and hosted the weekend program San Diego People.

Her five-year tenure at KUSI allowed her to diversify her on-air presence, blending hard news with community-focused content.

KGTV (ABC 10News)

Hunt returned to KGTV (ABC 10News) in January 2008, resuming her role as chief anchor and managing editor. She currently anchors the 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 11 p.m. weeknight newscasts alongside Steve Atkinson.

This second chapter at KGTV has been marked by award-winning investigative reporting, including stories like “Tracking Cartel Guns,” “Hell Week with the Navy Seals,” and “Cocaine of the Sea,” which earned her Emmys, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and accolades from the San Diego Press Club.

Her work often focuses on U.S.-Mexico border issues, leveraging her deep ties with federal agencies.

Throughout her career, Hunt has reported from high-profile events—political conventions, Super Bowls, the Academy Awards—and interviewed notable figures, including U.S. presidents and Oprah Winfrey.

Stations she’s worked at include KVON/KVYN Radio, ABC Network News, KMST/KION-TV, KGTV (two stints), and KUSI News. Her longevity, versatility, and commitment to impactful journalism have solidified her legacy in the industry.

Kimberly Hunt has delivered impactful coverage throughout her career, earning recognition for her investigative journalism and enterprise reporting.

Some of her most notable stories include:

  • Tracking the Mexican Mafia: An in-depth investigation inside Donovan State Prison, which earned her the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award.
  • Cartel Guns and Cocaine of the Sea: Reports on how cartels pushed the world’s smallest whale, the vaquita, to the brink of extinction.
  • Sex Trafficking and Open-Air Brothels: Exposés on human trafficking and illegal activities in San Diego’s canyons, which garnered awards from the San Diego Press Club.
  • Postcards From Home: A Golden Mic Award-winning special during the Persian Gulf War, connecting local Marines with their families through videotaped messages.
  • Environmental Issues: Investigations into dangerous chemicals in the Tijuana River and border water quality.

Awards and Recognitions

Kimberly Hunt has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her distinguished career in journalism. Here are some highlights:

  • 13 Emmy Awards: Recognized for her excellence in investigative reporting, feature news stories, journalistic enterprise, and evening newscasts.
  • Edward R. Murrow Award: For her investigative story, Tracking the Mexican Mafia – Inside Donovan State Prison.
  • Golden Mic Award: For her special report, Postcards From Home, during the Persian Gulf War, which connected local Marines with their families through videotaped messages.
  • San Diego Press Club Awards: Two first-place awards for her coverage of Open-Air Brothels in San Diego’s Canyons and her report on Sex Trafficking.
  • Attorney General’s Crime Prevention Award: For her contributions to raising awareness about crime prevention.

Kimberly Hunt’s Notable Colleagues:

  • Steve Atkinson: Her co-anchor at KGTV (ABC 10News), a key figure in San Diego’s news scene.
  • Carol LeBeau: Long-time co-anchor at KGTV, forming one of the longest-running female anchor teams in the U.S.
  • Virginia Cha: A fellow anchor at KGTV, known for her professionalism and engaging reporting style.
  • Bill Griffith: A veteran journalist who worked alongside Kimberly during her time at KGTV.
  • Michael Tuck: A respected anchor and reporter who contributed to the San Diego news scene.
  • Sandra Maas: A journalist and anchor who has been a prominent figure in San Diego media.
  • Allison Ash: A reporter and colleague at KGTV, known for her investigative journalism.
  • Bob Lawrence: A seasoned journalist who has worked with Kimberly on various news stories.
  • Hal Clement: A former colleague at KGTV, recognized for his contributions to the station’s news coverage.

Net Worth and Salary:

While specific figures for Kimberly Hunt’s net worth and current salary at ABC 10News are not publicly available, we can make some informed estimates based on available data for news anchors in the San Diego market:

Estimated Salary:

  • General Range for San Diego News Anchors: According to multiple sources, the average annual salary for a news anchor in San Diego ranges from approximately $51,000 to $62,000. However, this represents an average across different experience levels and roles.
  • Experienced Anchor in a Major Market: Kimberly Hunt is a highly experienced, multi-Emmy Award-winning anchor in a major television market. Anchors with her level of experience and recognition in a city like San Diego often command salaries significantly higher than the average.
  • Estimates: It is reasonable to estimate Kimberly Hunt’s annual salary to be in the mid-to-high six figures, potentially ranging from $300,000 to $700,000 or even higher. This takes into account her long tenure, multiple awards, and role as a primary anchor and managing editor.

However, without specific information from her contract or public records, this remains an educated guess. Some sources for top anchors in larger markets suggest salaries can even exceed $1 million, but San Diego, while a major market, might have a slightly lower scale than the largest cities.

Estimated Net Worth:

Kimberly Hunt’s estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $7 million, reflecting her successful career as a journalist and anchor.

  • Factors Influencing Net Worth: Net worth is influenced by various factors beyond salary, including investments, real estate holdings, other income sources, and savings over the course of a career.
  • Lack of Public Data: There is no publicly available information detailing Kimberly Hunt’s net worth.
  • General Considerations: Given her long and successful career in a well-compensated field, it’s likely that Kimberly Hunt has accumulated a significant net worth. However, providing a specific estimate would be purely speculative without any concrete financial data. It could reasonably be in the millions of dollars, considering her career longevity and potential investments, but the exact figure is unknown.

Is Kimberly Hunt Married?

Yes, Kimberly Hunt is married to Billy Ray Smith Jr., a former NFL linebacker who played for the San Diego Chargers. The couple has been together since their marriage in June 1990 and shares a strong partnership.

They have one daughter, Savannah Marie Smith, who is a Cornell University graduate. Together, they form a close-knit family deeply rooted in San Diego.

How Old Is Kimberly Hunt?

Kimberly Hunt was born in August 1961, which makes her 63 years old as of 2025.

Where Is Kimberly Hunt Working?

Kimberly Hunt is currently working as the chief and primary anchor at KGTV (ABC 10News) in San Diego.

She anchors the 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 11 p.m. newscasts, showcasing her dedication and versatility in delivering news to her audience.

Her role involves not only anchoring but also contributing to investigative journalism and special reports, which have been hallmarks of her career.

Kimberly Hunt is active on social media. She maintains profiles on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), where she shares updates related to her work at ABC 10News and engages with the community.

Through these platforms, Kimberly Hunt actively engages with her audience, providing news updates and insights into her professional endeavors.

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