Kaylee Hartung Bio: 10 Fascinating Facts Behind Her Powerful Rise to Emmy-Nominated Journalist
Name Kaylee Hartung
Age 39 (born November 7, 1985)
Job Sports & News Correspondent
Known For ESPN, CNN, ABC, Amazon Prime, NBC
Partner Not publicly disclosed
Net Worth Estimated $3–$3.2 million
Salary Estimated $100k–$200k per year
Height 5'2" (157 cm)
Eye Color Brown
Father Joe Hartung (died in 1996 plane crash)
Introduction: Who is Kaylee Hartung?
In this Kaylee Hartung bio, we dive into the life and rise of the Emmy-nominated journalist who has captivated audiences across ESPN, CNN, ABC News, and Amazon Prime Video. As of 2025, Kaylee Hartung remains a standout sports and news correspondent, best known for her roles on “Thursday Night Football” and The Today Show. She continues making headlines for her coverage of the NFL, her Sports Emmy nomination, and her openness about personal struggles, including egg-freezing and eye injury rumors.
This article explores key details people search for, including Kaylee Hartung’s age, salary, net worth, height, husband, eye surgery, and more.
Biography / Early Life
Born on November 7, 1985, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Kaylee Hartung grew up immersed in college sports culture. She attended Episcopal High School and graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2007 with degrees in journalism and politics. Her father, Joe Hartung, a talented aerobatic pilot, tragically died in a 1996 airshow crash when she was just 10. His death—briefly summarized on CNN that night—shaped her journalistic mission: to humanize the stories she reports.
“I didn’t want other people to feel the way that I felt in that moment,” Hartung has said. “I wanted to honor other people’s stories.”
Kaylee Hartung Bio: Career Timeline
1. 2007–2012: CBS News
Hartung began her journalism career working with Bob Schieffer at CBS News. She became an associate producer on Face the Nation, thanks to a referral from W&L alumnus Tom Mattesky.
2. 2013–2017: ESPN & Longhorn Network
Although she never played sports herself, Hartung covered the College World Series, NCAA basketball tournaments, and college football for ESPN’s Longhorn and SEC Networks.
3. 2017–2019: CNN National Correspondent
Desiring to prove herself in hard news, Hartung joined CNN, where she covered breaking stories including natural disasters and political developments.
4. 2020–2021: ABC News
She reported for Good Morning America and World News Tonight, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. 2022–Present: Amazon Prime & NBC News
In 2022, she landed a coveted role as sideline reporter for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football. By 2023, she also became a contributing correspondent for NBC’s Today show. In 2024, she received a Sports Emmy nomination.
“Everything I do is about humanizing the people whom I cover,” she said. “Whether it’s news or sports, every story is someone else’s story that I have the privilege of telling.”
Kaylee Hartung Bio: Personal Life
- Marital Status: Hartung is not married and has not publicly disclosed a partner.
- Fertility Journey: On her 35th birthday during the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to freeze her eggs, inspired by the memory of her widowed mother at the same age. She’s been candid about experiencing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome after retrieval and encourages young women to explore fertility options early.
- Home Base: Los Angeles, though her work takes her across the country.
Eye Surgery & Injury Rumors
Rumors of Kaylee Hartung undergoing eye surgery or suffering an eye injury have circulated online. She clarified in interviews that these were based on lighting and broadcast angles during remote segments. She confirmed that she has never had eye surgery, injury, or a prosthetic eye. Her eye color remains naturally brown.
Salary & Net Worth
- Net Worth: Estimated at $3–$3.2 million (2025)
- Salary: $100,000–$200,000 annually through Amazon Prime, NBC News, and speaking engagements
Height & Physical Appearance
- Height: 5’2” (157 cm)
- Eye Color: Brown
- Style: Professional yet approachable, known for her engaging on-screen presence
Controversies or Notable Moments
- COVID-19 Diagnosis: One of the first high-profile journalists to publicly confirm and detail her COVID-19 experience
- Olympics 2024: Earned praise for emotionally intelligent interviews in Paris
- Eye Rumors: Continues to debunk myths with humor and transparency
Social Media & Trivia
- Instagram: @kayleehartung
- Twitter (X): @KayleeHartung
Instagram Embed:
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Trivia:
- Lifelong New Orleans Saints fan
- First public figure to openly share egg-freezing journey on national TV
- Recipient of W&L’s 2017 Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Kaylee Hartung Bio: Recent Updates (2024–2025)
- Received a Sports Emmy nomination for Amazon Prime NFL reporting
- Expanded role on NBC’s Today Show as a national correspondent
- Viral discussion on fertility, egg-freezing, and women’s health on Kylie Kelce’s podcast
Internal Links
Kaylee Hartung Bio: FAQs
1. What happened to Kaylee Hartung? She battled COVID-19 in 2020 and later addressed public speculation about eye surgery. In 2024, she earned a Sports Emmy nomination.
2. Is Kaylee Hartung married? No, she is currently not married.
3. How much money does Kaylee Hartung make? She earns an estimated $100,000–$200,000 per year.
4. Did Kaylee Hartung have eye surgery or an injury? No. Eyelid asymmetry was due to lighting/camera angles, not surgery or injury.
5. How tall is Kaylee Hartung? She is 5’2″ (157 cm).
6. What inspired her to become a journalist? The loss of her father and the impersonal way it was reported motivated her to tell stories with humanity and empathy.
Kaylee Hartung Bio: Conclusion
This Kaylee Hartung bio showcases the resilience, professionalism, and empathy that define her rise to prominence—from ESPN and CNN to Amazon Prime and NBC. Her award-nominated work, openness about personal struggles, and unwavering journalistic values make her one of the most influential female correspondents in 2025.
For more inspiring profiles, check out Lauren Magarino or Bill Melugin.
Written by the Fact-Pedia team with verified sources: ESPN, CNN, NBC News, NBC Sports, Today Show, Wikipedia, ABC News.
Leah Awuor is a seasoned content creator and digital storyteller with a passion for crafting narratives that inform, inspire, and engage. With a wealth of experience profiling media personalities, politicians, celebrities, and emerging trends, Leah brings together sharp analytical insight and a natural talent for storytelling.
Her work is recognized for its accuracy, depth, and ability to spark meaningful conversations. As the creative force behind some of Fact-Pedia’s most-read articles, Leah consistently delivers high-impact content that resonates with diverse audiences across the globe.
Driven by curiosity and a commitment to editorial excellence, she covers everything from breaking news to in-depth celebrity profiles and cultural commentary. Leah’s ability to anticipate trends and deliver compelling stories makes her a trusted and influential voice in the digital media landscape.
