Rudabeh Shahbazi Biography, Age, Married, Cancer | KCAL News

Rudabeh Shahbazi: Emmy-Winning Journalist and KCAL News Anchor

• Career Highlights:

  • She has a wide range of experience, covering news in various locations, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Cuba.

• • She was the lead anchor at CBS Miami for five years, where she covered significant events like the Pulse nightclub and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport shootings, the Parkland school massacre, and Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Maria.

• • She has also worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KABC-TV in Los Angeles and KNXV-TV in Phoenix.

• • Prior to working at KCAL she also worked at News Nation as one of its original national correspondents and anchors.

• • She has also worked at KEPR-TV in Pasco, Washington, and KTVU-TV in Oakland, California.

• • She has a background in documentary filmmaking, including work on “King Leopold’s Ghost.”

• • She has also done reporting from the Jordan-Iraq border.

• Education:

  • She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Pepperdine University.

• • She earned a master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.

• Additional Information:

  • She speaks Farsi and conversational Spanish. 

• • She has also won a Golden Mike Award for her reporting.

• • She has also won an Emmy for her coverage of the wildfires that ravaged Maui.

Age:

Rudabeh Shahbazi was born on June 16, 1980, in Göttingen, West Germany.

She is 44 years old as of 2025, her zodiac sign is Gemini. She holds American nationality and is of Iranian ethnicity

Parents and Siblings:

Rudabeh Shahbazi was born on June 16, 1980, in Göttingen, West Germany to Iranian parents, and later moved to the United States.

She grew up in Miami, Florida, and spent part of her childhood in San Diego, California.

Parents:

• Mother: Theresa Gillis Noldeke, a Canadian scholar, serves as a reference librarian at Pierce Library, Eastern Oregon University.

• Father: Alireza Shapour Shahbazi (1942–2006), was a prominent Iranian archaeologist and historian, renowned for his expertise on Achaemenid Persia and his contributions to the study of ancient Iranian civilization.

Educated in Iran and the UK, he served as a professor and researcher, notably at Shiraz University and later at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, where the family settled.

His work took him across the globe, influencing the family’s early moves and exposing Rudabeh to a rich intellectual environment.

Alireza’s passion for history and culture left a lasting impact on her, inspiring her curiosity and storytelling instincts.

His death in 2006 from cancer marked a significant personal loss for Rudabeh, one that may resonate with her recent public disclosure of her own lymphoma diagnosis in 2024.

Upbringing:

Rudabeh’s early years were characterized by frequent relocations due to her parents’ careers. After her birth in Germany, her family lived in New York and Boston before settling in La Grande, Oregon.

Her father’s position at Eastern Oregon University allowed her to immerse herself in the academic environment, attending classes and engaging with international students.

Growing up, Shahbazi spent summers in Iran, immersing herself in her Persian heritage. These visits deepened her connection to her roots, fostering fluency in Farsi and a nuanced understanding of Middle Eastern culture.

Her multicultural upbringing—blending American small-town life with Iranian traditions—equipped her with a global outlook, which later became a cornerstone of her journalism career.

She has spoken about how these experiences broadened her worldview, preparing her to report on diverse communities and international stories with empathy and insight

Siblings:

Rudabeh has a brother, Michael Gillis, who grew up in La Grande and now resides in Eugene, Oregon.

Height:

Since Rudabeh Shahbazi is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) tall and weighs approximately 60 kg (132 lbs), her estimated body measurements could be around 34-26-36 inches (86-66-91 cm).

Career and Background:

Rudabeh’s journalism career began as a news assistant at KTVU in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She then worked as a reporter and multimedia journalist at KEPR in Pasco, Washington, focusing on education-related stories.

Her career progressed with roles at KNXV in Phoenix, Arizona, and KABC in Los Angeles, California, where she served as a reporter, fill-in anchor, and multimedia journalist.

In 2015, she joined WFOR-TV (CBS4) in Miami, Florida, initially as a morning anchor before transitioning to evening newscasts.

During her tenure at CBS4, she covered significant events, including the Pulse nightclub shooting, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport shooting, the Parkland school massacre, Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Maria, and the death of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

In 2020, Rudabeh became an anchor for “News Nation,” a live, daily three-hour national newscast on WGN America.

She currently serves as a morning anchor on KCAL in Los Angeles, delivering the news from 6 to 10 a.m. ​

KCAL News (Los Angeles, CA):

Rudabeh currently anchors KCAL News Mornings, a prominent position she holds, presenting news from 6 to 10 a.m. each weekday.

Her role involves delivering timely news to a diverse audience in one of the largest media markets in the U.S.

She excels in live reporting and covering significant local and national events, offering a steady and engaging presence to viewers.

NewsNation (WGN America, Chicago, IL):

At NewsNation, Rudabeh served as a national correspondent and anchor, reporting on a wide range of stories across the United States and internationally.

Her time here showcased her ability to adapt to diverse subjects, ranging from breaking news to in-depth features.

This experience enhanced her reputation as a trusted journalist with broad expertise.

WFOR-TV (CBS Miami, FL):

As the main evening news anchor at WFOR-TV, Rudabeh was a key figure in the South Florida media landscape.

During her tenure, she covered high-profile events such as the Parkland school shooting, the death of Fidel Castro, and catastrophic hurricanes impacting the region.

Her in-depth reporting and on-air presence resonated with viewers, and she became a well-recognized face in Miami journalism.

KABC-TV (Los Angeles, CA):

Earlier in her career, Rudabeh worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KABC-TV, gaining experience in one of the most competitive news markets in the country.

This role allowed her to refine her reporting skills and establish herself in the Los Angeles market, which would later serve her well in her current role at KCAL.

KEPR-TV (Pasco, WA):

At KEPR-TV, Rudabeh began to develop her on-air style and journalistic instincts as both a reporter and anchor.

Her work in this smaller market laid a strong foundation for her future success, enabling her to handle multiple responsibilities and gain hands-on experience in all aspects of news production.

KNXV-TV (Phoenix, AZ):

In Phoenix, she took on reporting roles that further honed her ability to cover dynamic stories under tight deadlines.

This position added another layer of versatility to her career, showcasing her ability to navigate the unique challenges of reporting in a large metropolitan area.

Rudabeh Shahbazi has covered numerous significant stories throughout her career, showcasing her versatility and dedication to impactful journalism.

Here are some of her most notable coverage highlights:

• Wildfires in Maui: She earned an Emmy for her exceptional reporting on the devastating wildfires in Maui, providing in-depth coverage of the disaster’s impact.

• Brain Surgery Reporting: Rudabeh won a Golden Mike Award for her groundbreaking reporting inside an operating room, where she interviewed a patient undergoing brain surgery.

• President Biden’s Inauguration: She covered President Joe Biden’s inauguration from Delaware, capturing the historic moment with insightful reporting.

• George Floyd and Jacob Blake Cases: Rudabeh reported on these pivotal cases and the subsequent civil unrest, offering comprehensive coverage of the events and their societal implications.

• Surfside Condo Collapse: She covered the tragic collapse of the Surfside condominium in Florida, delivering updates and human-interest stories from the scene.

• Hurricanes in Florida: During her time in Miami, she reported on major hurricanes, including Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Maria, providing critical information to affected communities.

• Parkland School Shooting: Rudabeh anchored live, continuous coverage of the Parkland school massacre, demonstrating her ability to handle sensitive and breaking news with professionalism.

• Fidel Castro’s Death: She covered the death of Fidel Castro and its implications for Cuba and the world, offering historical context and analysis.

• Pulse Nightclub Shooting: Rudabeh provided live coverage of the tragic shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

• Gabrielle Giffords Shooting: Early in her career, she was one of the first reporters on the ground in Tucson, Arizona, after the mass shooting and attempted assassination of former Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

Net Worth and Salary:

Is Rudabeh Shahbazi Married?

Rudabeh Shahbazi is known to be very private about her personal life. As of now, there is no public information confirming whether she is married or in a relationship.

She seems to focus primarily on her career and has kept her personal affairs out of the spotlight.

How Old Is Rudabeh Shahbazi?

Rudabeh Shahbazi was born on June 16, 1980, which makes her 44 years old as of 2025.

Where Is Rudabeh Shahbazi Working?

Rudabeh Shahbazi is currently working at KCAL News in Los Angeles, California. She serves as the morning news anchor, delivering news on weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m.

Her role involves presenting breaking news, conducting interviews, and providing in-depth coverage of significant events to a diverse audience in one of the largest media markets in the U.S.

Rudabeh Shahbazi is active on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, where she shares updates about her professional work, news stories, and occasional glimpses into her personal interests.

You can explore her profiles to stay connected with her latest updates.