Fredricka Whitfield Biography and Wiki
Fredricka Whitfield is an American-based journalist who serves as an anchor for CNN/U.S. Based in the network’s world headquarters in Atlanta, Whitfield anchors the weekend edition of CNN Newsroom.
Fredricka Whitfield Age
When was Fredricka Whitfield born? Fredricka was born on May 31, 1965, in Maryland, United States. She is 58 years old as of 2023.
Fredricka Whitfield Height and Weight
She is 5 feet 9 inches tall (approximately 1.75m or 175cm). She also weighs around 60 kg (132 pounds).
Fredricka Whitfield Nationality
What nationality is Fredricka Whitfield? Born and raised in the United States of America, Fredricka is American by nationality. She is also of African-American descent.
Fredricka Whitfield Education Background
What college did Fredricka Whitfield go to? Fredricka went to the Howard University School of Communication. She graduated from the University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism in 1987. While at Howard University, Fredricka served as a news anchor for the campus radio station WHUR. In 2002, she was selected as the Howard University School of Communications Alumna of the Year. Previously, she graduated from Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, Maryland in 1983.
Fredricka Whitfield Family
Who is Fredricka Whitfield’s mother and father? Fredricka is the youngest child of Malvin Greston Whitfield (father) and Nola Whitfield (mother). Her father Mal was an American athlete, goodwill ambassador, and airman. Nicknamed “Marvelous Mal”, he was the Olympic champion in the 800 meters at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics and a member of the 1948 gold medal team in the 4 × 400 meters relay. Overall, Mal was a five-time Olympic medalist (three gold, one silver, one bronze). After his competitive career, he worked for 47 years as a coach, goodwill ambassador, as well as an athletic mentor in Africa on behalf of the United States Information Service. He died on November 19, 2015, in Washington, D.C., U.S. aged 91.
Fredricka has two siblings Nyna Konishi (sister) and Malvin Jr., also known as Lonnie (brother). She also has a stepbrother named Ed Wright, an accomplished high jumper from her father’s previous relationship.
Fredricka Whitfield Husband
Who is Fredricka Whitfield’s husband? Fredricka is married to John Glenn, the director of photography at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The couple has been married since 1999.
How many children does Fredricka Whitfield have? Fredricka has three children, two sons, and a daughter. She gave birth to her first son in January 2005, and a set of fraternal twins, daughter Nola and son Gilbert, in November 2012.
Fredricka Whitfield Career
Whitfield is among the high-profile journalists on CNN today. Here is her career timeline since she kick-started her journalism career:
Whitfield kick-started her career at a young age while still attending Howard University. She was a news host for WHUR radio station. After graduating, she joined WPLG-TV based in Miami. She later joined News Channel 8 in Washington D.C. Due to her exemplary work, she was employed by KTVT-TV in Dallas and WTNH in New Haven.
Prior to joining NBC News, she worked at WCIV in Charleston, South Carolina. She joined NBC News in 1995. At NBC, she was a correspondent for about six years. She also worked as an afternoon anchor and assignment reporter.
Later on, Whitfield moved to CNN in 2002 and has settled there to date. At CNN, she has uncovered many stories. Some of the primary stories include:
-
-
- She was the first anchor to announce Ranald Reagan’s death.
- She also covered the Asian Tsunami disaster.
-
Fredricka Whitfield Awards
- In 2002 she earned the Howard University School of Communication Alumna of the Year.
- She received the George Peabody Award in 2005, which honored her coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
- In 2005 she was awarded Ebony Award for the best journalist woman in marketing and communication.
Fredricka Whitfield Rise of Fame
In 2014, Whitfield caught the public’s attention when she hosted comedian Joan Rivers for an interview. However, the interview turned dramatic when Whitfield termed Joan Rivers as being mean-spirited. The reason is, the comedian wore vintage fur, despite her using a leather shoe.
Rivers left the show immediately, which left many Americans talking and seeking to know whether Whitfield was qualified enough to work as a host for CNN International.
In her next show, Whitfield acknowledged that her show was among the USA’s top talk shows during that period.
In 2015 Whitfield caught the public eye when she came on air to describe the gunman who attacked Dallas police as a courageous and brave man. The next day she had to come out and apologize to Americans for making such claims on air. In her defense, she stated that she had misused the words during that time of the broadcast.
Fredricka Whitfield Salary and Net Worth
She receives an average annual salary of $95,000 as of 2023. This is according to CNN anchors’/reporters’ salaries. She also has an estimated net worth of $ 3 million as of 2023.
Fredricka Whitfield Social Media Accounts
Also, read Zian Asher and Becky Anderson
