The skills O’Donnell honed at Roll Call played a vital role in her acceptance at NBC News as a correspondent, thanks to the guidance of veteran journalist Tim Russert who hired her in 1999. At just 25, O’Donnell found a mentor in Russert, who profoundly influenced her work ethic.

O’Donnell recalls Russert’s supportive nature and his key question, “What do you know?”, which became a daily reminder to strive for fresh insights beyond existing news reports.

Over her more than ten years at NBC, she took on roles from congressional correspondent to the prestigious White House correspondent, covering major events like the Afghanistan war and the 9/11 attacks.

While at Georgetown, Norah O’Donnell met her future husband, Geoff Tracy. She reminisced about their initial encounter in the cafeteria in a heartfelt interview. For Tracy, it was love at first sight, though O’Donnell needed a bit more time to realize it.

They became engaged in 1999, married in 2001, and welcomed three children: twins Henry and Grace, and their younger sister, Riley.

While O’Donnell thrived in her journalism career, Tracy pursued his passion for cooking, eventually opening Chef Geoff’s in Washington D.C. Their collaborative effort culminated in the 2010 cookbook, “Baby Love,” focusing on nutritious baby food recipes.

In 2011, after spending over a decade with NBC News, Norah O’Donnell made the significant decision to join CBS News. Her initial responsibilities included stepping in as anchor for “Face the Nation” among other roles.

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Norah O’Donnell’s Journey in Broadcast Journalism

Norah O’Donnell expressed her enthusiasm when she transitioned to CBS News as the chief White House correspondent, calling it a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” She remarked on the honor of joining the respected network’s team of journalists.

The following year, O’Donnell took on the role of co-anchor for “CBS This Morning,” teaming up with Charlie Rose and Gayle King to reinvent the morning news format. This meant frequent commutes from Washington, D.C. to New York, but O’Donnell felt that the role was too significant to decline. She emphasized the unique experience and connection with the audience that morning television offers.

Response to #MeToo Allegations Against Charlie Rose

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By 2017, the chemistry among the CBS morning team had solidified. However, this partnership was disrupted when The Washington Post published serious allegations of sexual harassment against Charlie Rose. Following his suspension, both O’Donnell and King expressed their shock at the accusations, sharing their disbelief on air.

O’Donnell clearly stated her position, emphasizing that there is “no excuse” for such behavior and asserting the necessity of an investigation into Rose’s actions. She declared that this kind of conduct must come to an end.

In a subsequent conversation with The Palm Beach Post, O’Donnell reflected on how painful this revelation was for her, highlighting her empathy for Rose’s accusers and reiterating her resolve that such behavior is unacceptable.

Running: O’Donnell’s Personal Sanctuary

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Passionate about health and fitness from a young age, O’Donnell began running track at age 13. Even with her demanding career, she maintains her running habit, though fitting it into her busy life can be challenging. O’Donnell typically runs a few times a week and meets with a trainer regularly, recognizing that running serves as a way to stay fit and manage stress.

On her runs, O’Donnell enjoys listening to upbeat music to help distract her from the pressures of her job, boasting a playlist that includes songs from Maroon 5, Carly Rae Jepsen, and other pop hits like “The Fighter” by Gym Class Heroes and Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.”

O’Donnell Addresses Rumors of Tension with Gayle King

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Following the departure of Charlie Rose, rumors surfaced about potential discord between Norah O’Donnell and Gayle King on “CBS This Morning.” Such speculations are common when two women share the spotlight, but both anchors have continued to work closely together, dispelling any unfounded feud narratives.

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In 2019, it was reported by Page Six that Gayle King’s contract negotiations were heavily influenced by a push to have Norah O’Donnell removed from “CBS This Morning.” However, another source countered that claim, asserting that both women were actually friends with no animosity between them. This was affirmed by a source stating, “There’s no bad blood between Norah and Gayle; in fact, they are very close.”

Both King and O’Donnell addressed these rumors directly on the show, firmly denying any truth to them while also calling attention to the gender bias in such narratives. O’Donnell later elaborated in an interview with Extra, emphasizing the need to put the speculation to rest. “Gayle and I talked immediately when that silly report came out and decided to address it on Monday to have the last word,” she stated.

The narrative suggesting Gayle King was pushing Norah O’Donnell out of “CBS This Morning” was only partially accurate — O’Donnell left the show to take on a new role as anchor of “CBS Evening News.” This position is renowned as one of the most prestigious within the network, previously held by notable anchors such as Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Katie Couric.

As O’Donnell took the anchor chair in 2019, she brought extensive experience along with a strong reputation. She explained during an interview with CBS News Sacramento, “It’s an honor to take on the role of ‘CBS Evening News’ anchor and deliver unbiased news viewers can trust.” She acknowledged the significance of her role, sharing her commitment to providing trustworthy reports.

After more than five years at the helm of “CBS Evening News,” Norah O’Donnell announced in summer 2024 that she would step down following the presidential election. Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News, stated in a memo that O’Donnell would not leave CBS entirely; instead, she would shift to the role of special correspondent, conducting interviews with significant figures and continuing to contribute to “CBS Evening News” and “60 Minutes.”

O’Donnell expressed her readiness for a change, noting the demanding nature of the anchor role over her 12 years at CBS. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, McMahon indicated that this new position would allow O’Donnell to focus on delivering impactful stories. Following her departure, CBS named Maurice Dubois and John Dickerson as her successors, which sparked criticism from former CBS anchor Katie Couric. Couric voiced her disapproval in an op-ed for  The New York Times, stating it was disappointing that O’Donnell was replaced by two men, calling it “odd and out of touch.”

Before concluding her time as anchor on “CBS Evening News,” Norah O’Donnell previewed some of the insightful interviews she would pursue as a special correspondent, starting with an exclusive conversation with Pope Francis in May 2024.

Discussing this milestone interview during an appearance on “CBS Mornings,” O’Donnell mentioned that the network had sought the opportunity to interview the pope for over ten years. “This is the pinnacle of my career,” she remarked, reflecting on the significant hour-long dialogue that touched on various global issues, including war, climate change, and LGBTQ+ rights.

After the interview, O’Donnell shared her favorable impressions of Pope Francis, noting his progressive and inclusive approach as the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, as well as being the first Jesuit pope.