Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Deborah Roberts

Deborah Roberts (born September 20, 1960) is an American broadcast journalist and television news anchor who has worked as a senior national affairs correspondent for ABC News since 1995, co-anchoring the newsmagazine program 20/20 and contributing reports to Good Morning America, Nightline, and ABC World News Tonight. Raised in , as the seventh of nine children to Benjamin Roberts, a business owner, and Ruth Roberts, a homemaker, she earned a in from the in 1982. Her early career included roles as a reporter and anchor at local stations in , , and , followed by national positions at NBC's and as host of Lifetime Live. Recruited to by , Roberts has covered major events worldwide, emphasizing investigative reporting on social issues and current affairs. Roberts has earned multiple , including for specials, a Peabody Award for the 20/20 episode "Say Her Name: ," and recognition from the University of Georgia's DiGamma Kappa for distinguished achievement in journalism. Her work has been noted for in-depth coverage of pivotal stories, though as a mainstay in mainstream broadcast media, her reporting aligns with institutional perspectives prevalent in such outlets.

Background

Early Life and Education

Deborah Roberts was born on September 20, 1960, in , a small town near Macon. She was the seventh of nine children born to Benjamin Roberts, who owned a carpet installation business, and Ruth Roberts, a homemaker. Raised in modest circumstances that Roberts later characterized as lacking true hardships despite the family's , she grew up during the era of , attending Black schools until following the fourth grade. From an early age, Roberts developed an interest in , inspired by television newscasters she watched as a girl and harboring ambitions to pursue a beyond her hometown. She graduated from Perry High School before enrolling at the . Roberts received a degree, with a focus on broadcast news, from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the in 1982. During her college summers, she gained practical experience through internships at a Macon and a local PBS affiliate.

Professional Career

Early Journalism Roles

Roberts began her professional journalism career in 1982 at WTVM-TV, an ABC affiliate in Columbus, Georgia, immediately following her graduation from the with a B.A. in . In this initial role as a reporter, she gained foundational experience in local television news, which served as a launchpad for her subsequent positions. She advanced to WBIR-TV, an NBC affiliate in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she continued local reporting and earned praise for her work. By the mid-1980s, Roberts had relocated to WFTV-TV in Orlando, Florida, joining the station in 1987. There, she held multiple responsibilities, including bureau chief, field anchor covering NASA space shuttle launches, and co-anchor of the weekend news broadcasts; the Orlando Sentinel named her the top local female anchor during this period. These roles honed her skills in on-the-ground reporting, live anchoring, and specialized coverage, preparing her for national network opportunities.

Transition to ABC News and Key Positions

In 1995, after five years at —including roles as a general assignment in and bureaus and contributor to —Deborah Roberts transitioned to as a for the newsmagazine program 20/20. This move coincided with her marriage to weatherman , though the professional shift was driven by opportunities at ABC's flagship investigative series. Upon joining ABC, Roberts expanded her responsibilities beyond 20/20, serving as an anchor for World News Tonight Weekend and contributing reports to programs like Nightline, Good Morning America, and World News Tonight with David Muir. She also filled in as a substitute anchor across ABC's daytime and primetime lineup, establishing herself as a versatile network figure focused on national affairs and human interest stories. Over nearly three decades, her role evolved into senior national affairs correspondent, emphasizing in-depth reporting on social issues, crime, and cultural topics. In September 2023, promoted Roberts to permanent co-anchor of 20/20 alongside , succeeding and formalizing her long-standing contributions to the program. This position, announced on September 26, underscored her expertise in while allowing continued cross-platform reporting.

Notable Reporting and Assignments

Roberts joined ABC News in 1995 as a for the newsmagazine 20/20, where she has since co-anchored the program, focusing on investigative reports and stories. Her work on 20/20 has included in-depth examinations of complex cases, such as the 2016 disappearance of Linda Carman during a with her son Nathan, amid disputes over family inheritance; the episode "Family Lies?" aired on April 4, 2025, exploring whether the incident was accidental or . Other notable 20/20 investigations under her reporting include the 2023 of makeup artist Kristil Krug, the and clues left by a mother leading to her killer's capture, and the 2000 unsolved of Jessica Currin in , featured in episodes airing in 2025. Internationally, Roberts has reported on crises, earning an Emmy Award for her coverage of the AIDS epidemic in , highlighting its devastating impact on communities. She received another Emmy for national reporting on maternal mortality rates in , documenting systemic failures in healthcare access. In 2020, she contributed to the 20/20 special "Say Her Name: ," which examined the police raid leading to Taylor's death and earned a Peabody Award for its investigative depth. Roberts has also covered major global events from the field, including reporting from on Queen Elizabeth II's and her death in September 2022, the funeral of former U.S. President in December 2024, and the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023. As a senior national affairs correspondent, she contributes to , , and , often substituting as an anchor on GMA and delivering reports on domestic issues. Her assignments emphasize , with a focus on human stories behind tragedies and policy failures.

Awards and Recognition

Professional Honors and Achievements

Roberts has received the Peabody Award for her contributions to the 2021 20/20 special report "Say Her Name: ," recognizing her in-depth examination of Breonna Taylor's death and its broader implications. She has also earned multiple for international and national reporting, including coverage of the AIDS crisis in and maternal mortality in . Earlier in her career, Roberts won a Clarion Award for an investigative 20/20 segment on abuse within the community. In recognition of her sustained contributions to television journalism spanning over 25 years, she was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Silver Circle Honor Society in June 2025. In May 2024, the conferred upon her an honorary doctorate, honoring her commitment to authentic storytelling and emotional depth in journalism. Additionally, in 1992, she received the University of Georgia's Distinguished Alumnus Award for her professional accomplishments.

Publications

Books and Written Works

Deborah Roberts co-authored Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom for Modern Times with her husband , published in October 2016 by SmileyBooks. The work compiles practical advice on , , and family dynamics, drawing from the couple's experiences raising children and navigating professional lives in media. In September 2021, Roberts curated and contributed to Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life, published by Disney Hyperion. This essay collection features contributions from celebrities and public figures reflecting on transformative educators, with Roberts emphasizing the profound impact of teaching in ; the book achieved New York Times bestseller status. Roberts's latest publication, Sisters Loved and Treasured: Stories of Unbreakable Bonds, released in October 2024 by Disney Hyperion, explores themes of sisterhood through personal anecdotes, interviews with figures like , and reflections on her own upbringing with six sisters in . The book serves as a follow-up to Lessons Learned and Cherished, focusing on familial resilience and emotional bonds.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Deborah Roberts married , a and co-host on NBC's Today show, on September 16, 1995, in a ceremony at New York's Central Presbyterian Church. The couple met in 1990 when Roberts joined as a , initially maintaining a professional friendship before their relationship developed. They marked their 30th wedding anniversary in 2025, with Roberts publicly reflecting on the enduring partnership amid their demanding media careers. Roberts and Roker have two children together: daughter Leila Roker, born on July 17, 1998, and son Nicholas "Nick" Roker, born on July 18, 2002. Roker also has an adult daughter, Courtney Roker, from his first marriage to Alice Bell, which ended in in 1992; Courtney, born in 1987, maintains a close relationship with Roberts as a . The family resides in , where Roberts has balanced her role with parenting, often crediting mutual support for sustaining their household through professional relocations and public scrutiny.

Health Issues and Personal Challenges

Deborah Roberts has publicly discussed her ongoing struggle with vestibular migraine and vertigo, conditions she described as "debilitating" that have affected her ability to work and manage daily life. In June 2024, at age 63, she shared strategies for managing symptoms, including adjustments and medical interventions, while emphasizing the challenges of balancing these episodes with her demanding career as a and family responsibilities. Roberts maintains vigilant breast health screening due to a family history of breast cancer, noting that two relatives have been affected. In July 2025, she posted a at age 64 urging regular mammograms, underscoring her personal commitment to early detection amid genetic risks. Among her personal challenges, Roberts and her husband, , faced after marriage in 1995, including a , before successfully using fertilization and gestational to welcome their son, , in 2002. The couple later adopted their daughter, Leila, expanding their family amid these reproductive hurdles. Raising Nicholas has presented additional challenges, as he was diagnosed with developmental delays requiring specialized support. Roberts has navigated these demands alongside her professional life, with Roker describing Nicholas as an "answer to prayer" despite early difficulties in communication and independence. Roberts has also served as a primary during Roker's multiple health crises, including life-threatening blood clots and in late 2022 requiring hospitalization and surgery, as well as his diagnosis and treatment starting around 2020. In 2023, she reflected on the emotional toll of these events, advocating for spousal advocacy in medical settings. Recent personal losses have compounded these challenges, including the death of her brother, Jackie Bryant, in March 2025, and the passing of her family dog in 2024, which she mourned as a "profound and hard" . Earlier, her parents' declining health amid past financial hardships and segregation-era upbringing added layers of familial strain.

Reception and Criticisms

Positive Impact and Legacy

Deborah Roberts has advanced public understanding of humanitarian crises through her international reporting, including coverage of the AIDS epidemic affecting orphans in Africa and maternal mortality rates in Bangladesh during the early 2000s. Her dispatches emphasized the personal toll of these issues, drawing on on-the-ground observations to inform American audiences about global health disparities. This work, spanning multiple continents over two decades at ABC News, has contributed to broader awareness of underserved populations' struggles. In domestic reporting, Roberts anchored the 2021 20/20 special "Say Her Name: ," which received the Peabody Award for its empathetic portrayal of Taylor's life and a detailed forensic analysis of her 2020 death during a in . The program combined investigative depth with human-centered storytelling, examining systemic factors in law enforcement practices and earning acclaim for journalistic rigor amid national debates on police reform. Multiple for her national and international coverage further highlight her skill in long-form investigative pieces on topics like racial inequities and refugee experiences. Roberts' legacy endures as a barrier-breaking figure among in , with over 35 years at networks like and , including anchoring roles on , 20/20, and substitutes for Good Morning America. Her approach—prioritizing exhaustive research and factual presentation over opinion—has modeled resilient, integrity-driven reporting in an era of fragmented media, fostering cross-cultural empathy through stories on events from the to the 1992 . Additional honors, such as a 1992 Sports Emmy for coverage and a Clarion Award for broadcast excellence, affirm her influence in elevating standards for empathetic yet unflinching news delivery. As co-anchor of 20/20 since the early 1990s, she has shaped prime-time , inspiring subsequent reporters to humanize complex narratives while upholding truth-seeking principles.

Allegations of Bias and Journalistic Shortcomings

Deborah Roberts has reflected on an early career mishap that exemplified a journalistic shortcoming, admitting she ruined a key interview by mistakenly pressing the stop button on recording equipment instead of initiating the record function while assisting a reporter in the field. This technical error, occurring during her nascent years in broadcast journalism, prevented the capture of vital source material and underscored challenges in coordinating equipment under pressure. Roberts described the incident as a humbling failure but credited it with teaching resilience, stating she "dusted myself off, got back up and kept going" to persist in the profession. Specific allegations of personal bias leveled against Roberts remain limited in public discourse, with conservative media outlets more frequently targeting broadly for perceived liberal slant in coverage of political and social issues. For example, analyses from groups like the have documented patterns in ABC reporting that allegedly prioritize progressive viewpoints, such as in abortion-related stories, though Roberts' individual contributions to such segments have not drawn isolated scrutiny. Her investigative pieces on topics like racial disparities in media attention to missing persons cases have occasionally aligned with narratives critiqued by some as emphasizing systemic inequities over neutral facts, but these have elicited minimal direct backlash. Roberts' tenure at , including co-anchoring 20/20, has thus far avoided the high-profile ethical controversies that have ensnared other network figures, such as executive misconduct scandals unrelated to her reporting.

References

  1. [1]
    Deborah Roberts - ABC News - The Walt Disney Company
    Deborah Roberts is an award-winning ABC News correspondent and co-anchor of the prestigious news magazine "20/20." A media veteran, Roberts has traveled the ...
  2. [2]
    Deborah Roberts's Biography - The HistoryMakers
    One of the top black women in broadcast journalism, Deborah Roberts has worked as an anchor, a talk show host, and a reporter. Born on September 20, 1960 in the ...
  3. [3]
    Deborah Roberts - Journalist - TV Insider
    American journalist Deborah Roberts was born in Perry, Georgia, and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism.
  4. [4]
    AUP Bestows Journalist and Life-long Learner Deborah Ann ...
    May 8, 2024 · A media veteran who has been with ABC News for over 20 years, Deborah Roberts is clear on the stakes and value of investigative journalism. “The ...
  5. [5]
    Deborah Roberts - Awards - IMDb
    ABC News Specials (2010). 2017 Winner Emmy. Outstanding News Special. ABC News Specials. For "The President and the People". Shared with: Tom Cibrowski · ...<|separator|>
  6. [6]
    Deborah Roberts | Past Featured Speakers | ASU GSV Summit
    In 2021, Roberts was awarded a Peabody Award for the “20/20” special “Say Her Name: Breonna Taylor,” which featured her extensive reporting on Taylor's tragic ...Missing: journalism - | Show results with:journalism -
  7. [7]
    Deborah Roberts (ABJ '82) honored with DiGamma Kappa ...
    Feb 22, 2021 · Roberts is an award-winning Senior National Affairs Correspondent for ABC News' “20/20,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America” and “ABC World News ...
  8. [8]
    Deborah Roberts 1960 - Encyclopedia.com
    Roberts was born in 1960, in Perry, a small town near Macon, Georgia. She was the seventh of nine children in an impoverished family, but Roberts has noted that ...
  9. [9]
    https://eleven-six.co/blogs/eleven-six-women/eleven-six-women-deborah-roberts
  10. [10]
    Deborah Roberts: Perry's sweetheart of national news journalism
    Mar 20, 2021 · Deborah Roberts, however, is one of our hometown examples that the quote is far from just a line. Roberts was born and raised in Perry, Georgia ...
  11. [11]
    Deborah Roberts to deliver Commencement address - UGA Today
    Feb 21, 2019 · Since graduating from UGA in 1982 with a degree in broadcast news from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Roberts has ...
  12. [12]
    Reporter Deborah Roberts Hopes UGA Commencement Speech ...
    May 8, 2019 · Roberts, a native of Perry, graduated from UGA in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Grady College of Journalism and ...
  13. [13]
    Deborah Roberts | The Brotherhood Sister Sol
    Deborah Roberts is an award winning correspondent with ABC News. She regularly reports on Nightline, Good Morning America and World News Tonight with David ...
  14. [14]
    Who Is Al Roker's Wife, Deborah Roberts? All About Their Marriage ...
    Nov 5, 2024 · The same year the two were married, Deborah moved to ABC News to become a correspondent for 20/20. Today, she is the co-anchor of 20/20 along ...Missing: transition | Show results with:transition
  15. [15]
    Deborah Roberts | Speaker | ASU GSV Summit
    Deborah Roberts is an award-winning ABC News senior national affairs correspondent for “Nightline,” “Good Morning America” and “World News Tonight with David ...
  16. [16]
    ABC News announces Deborah Roberts as '20/20' co-anchor
    Sep 26, 2023 · Deborah will join David Muir as co-anchor and will also continue to report across all programs and platforms as senior national affairs correspondent.
  17. [17]
    Deborah Roberts Named Co-Anchor at ABC News' '20/20' - Variety
    Sep 26, 2023 · Deborah Roberts is taking up co-anchor duties at ABC News' “20/20,” the latest in a line of distinguished anchors that includes Barbara Walters, Hugh Downs, ...
  18. [18]
    20/20: The After Show – What Happened to the McStays? | Podcast
    Oct 6, 2025 · Deborah Roberts and Matt Gutman discuss the mysterious disappearance of a California family that puzzled investigators for years.
  19. [19]
    20/20 Episode Preview: 'He's Right Behind You' - YouTube
    Sep 26, 2025 · ABC News' Deborah Roberts has a preview of the episode investigating the 2023 murder of Kristil Krug. Check out more Eyewitness News ...
  20. [20]
    https://abcnews.go.com/US/man-serving-life-sentence-kentucky-womans-2000-murder/story?id=126686493
  21. [21]
    Deborah Roberts - ABC News
    Deborah Roberts is an award-winning ABC News correspondent and co-anchor of the prestigious news magazine “20/20.” A media veteran who is celebrating her ...
  22. [22]
    Deborah Roberts: ABC News Correspondent
    Oct 14, 2016 · Roberts began her network career with NBC News in 1990 as a general assignment correspondent. She covered stories in the Atlanta and Miami ...
  23. [23]
    [PDF] NATAS ANNOUNCES 2025 GOLD AND SILVER CIRCLE ...
    May 15, 2025 · ... Deborah Roberts, Aljernon Tunsil, and. Gemma Cubero del Barrio ... Silver Circle Honor Society, who will be recognized during the News ...
  24. [24]
    Books by Deborah Roberts on Google Play
    Roberts is a New York Times bestselling author of Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life. She also wrote Been There, Done That: Family ...
  25. [25]
    Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life
    What's it about? A collection of essays from celebrity contributors celebrating the great work of teachers, curated by ABC News journalist Deborah Roberts.Missing: written | Show results with:written
  26. [26]
    Sisters Loved and Treasured by Deborah Roberts
    In stock Free deliveryThe heartwarming follow-up to the inspiring New York Times bestseller Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life from Deborah Roberts, ...
  27. [27]
    Sisters Loved and Treasured: Stories of Unbreakable Bonds
    In Sisters Loved and Treasured: Stories of Unbreakable Bonds, award-winning ABC News journalist and New York Times bestselling author Deborah Roberts curates a ...
  28. [28]
    https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/books/deborah-roberts-sisters-lost-and-treasured/
  29. [29]
    Al Roker and Deborah Roberts' Relationship Timeline - People.com
    Leila was the first child for Roberts and the second for Roker, who shares daughter Courtney from his previous marriage. July 18, 2002: Al Roker and Deborah ...
  30. [30]
    Al Roker and Deborah Roberts: A Relationship Timeline
    May 5, 2025 · A timeline of their enduring relationship. Originally in the "friend zone," the couple has been married for nearly 30 years and share three children.Al Roker And Deborah Roberts... · Al And Debra Welcome A... · Al Celebrates His 70th...
  31. [31]
    Who Is Al Roker's Wife Deborah Roberts? Kids, Marriage, Alice Bell
    Jun 14, 2025 · Get to know Al Roker's wife Deborah Roberts, find out when they got married & how many kids they have, plus details on ex-wife Alice Bell.
  32. [32]
    Al Roker's Family: All About His Wife and Kids - NBC
    Mar 28, 2024 · TODAY's Al Roker shares two children with his wife, Deborah Roberts, as well as a daughter with his ex. The weatherman is also a grandpa.Missing: News | Show results with:News
  33. [33]
    Deborah Roberts opens up about 'debilitating' battle with vertigo she ...
    Jun 6, 2024 · The ABC 20/20 anchor, 63, has inspired her fans as she shared candid insight into her battle with vertigo and migraines, and what she has been doing to improve ...
  34. [34]
    Broadcast Journalist Deborah Roberts on Living with Migraine
    Aug 18, 2024 · Deborah shares how she has dealt with vestibular migraine and vertigo while traveling for work, raising her family, and everywhere in between.
  35. [35]
    ABC's Deborah Roberts, 64, Shares Important PSA in New Health ...
    Jul 17, 2025 · Roberts, 64, told her fans, "It's mammogram time," while sharing the personal reason why she takes precautionary measures so seriously when it comes to breast ...Missing: challenges infertility
  36. [36]
    Today's Al Roker and Deborah Roberts' 'miracle' baby revelation
    Feb 9, 2022 · Al and Deborah were desperate to bring a baby into the world and once they were able to deal with the pain of their miscarriage, they decided ...
  37. [37]
    Al Roker Said His Son 'Was an Answer to Prayer' Yet Could Barely ...
    May 6, 2022 · Al Roker and his wife, Deborah Roberts, struggled to get pregnant after getting married. Their first child was their daughter, and they later welcomed a son.
  38. [38]
    Al Roker Opens Up About Raising His Teenage Son with Special ...
    Apr 25, 2019 · Roker, who shares 16-year-old son Nick with wife Deborah Roberts, spoke candidly to Guideposts magazine about raising a child with developmental delays.Missing: journalist struggles
  39. [39]
    ​Deborah Roberts Speaks on Husband Al Roker's Health Scare​​
    May 10, 2023 · ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, 62, is sharing powerful words of wisdom for caregivers after her husband Al Roker's recent life-threatening health ...Missing: infertility | Show results with:infertility
  40. [40]
    Al Roker Says Having an 'Advocate' — Like Wife Deborah
    Oct 3, 2025 · Five years ago, Al Roker had insisted his wife, award-winning journalist Deborah Roberts, didn't need to accompany him to his doctor ...Missing: ABC infertility
  41. [41]
    Al Roker's Wife Deborah Roberts Announces Tragic Family Loss
    Mar 7, 2025 · The Good Morning America journalist took to Instagram with a series of family photos to reveal that her brother, Jackie Bryant, died.Missing: struggles | Show results with:struggles
  42. [42]
    Deborah Roberts Mourns 'Profound and Hard' Loss in Emotional Post
    Jun 9, 2025 · TV journalist Deborah Roberts mourned a major personal loss on the anniversary of her dog's passing as she shared an emotional message with fans.
  43. [43]
    Deborah Roberts Shares Her Family's Story - ABC News
    Apr 6, 2006 · Ben and Ruth guided their children through segregation and tough financial times. In recent years, however, their health has declined, and now ...Missing: infertility | Show results with:infertility
  44. [44]
    Say Her Name: Breonna Taylor - The Peabody Awards
    Jun 16, 2021 · For crafting a portrait of Taylor's life with empathetic journalistic rigor and offering an exhaustive forensic investigation on her death, “Say ...
  45. [45]
    Al Roker's Wife Deborah Roberts Recalls How She 'Ruined' an ...
    Jul 6, 2025 · Deborah Roberts Recalls 'Dusting Myself Off' Early in Her Journalism Career After She 'Ruined' an Interview (Exclusive) · Related Stories.
  46. [46]
    20/20's Deborah Roberts gets frank about career missteps: 'I blew it'
    Jul 7, 2025 · Journalism and broadcast news fills Deborah Roberts' life, and for her long and illustrious work in the field, she was recently honored at ...
  47. [47]
    Roe Warriors: The Media's Pro-Abortion Bias | Media Research Center
    MRC analysts have documented five ways in which the national media continue to tilt the abortion debate in favor of abortion advocates.
  48. [48]
    Tamika Huston's case shed light on a significant concern in national ...
    Sep 27, 2024 · In the all-new 20/20, co-anchor Deborah Roberts speaks with Tamika's family, including her aunt, Rebkah Howard, who works with the foundation: “ ...
  49. [49]
    https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/08/abc-news-stars-get-swept-up-in-lawsuit-fallout