Sophia Michaels
This article includes discussions on mental health issues, including eating disorders, depression, and domestic violence.
Ginger Zee is well-known as the weather anchor on “Good Morning America,” but her journey includes hidden struggles that many are unaware of. From a young age, Zee encountered various challenges, particularly starting with an eating disorder that manifested when she was just in fourth grade and persisted throughout her early life.
Along with battling an eating disorder, Zee faced debilitating depression that deepened after she developed narcolepsy in her early twenties. The medication she took for the sleep condition unfortunately exacerbated her depressive symptoms, leading to multiple suicide attempts, including one shortly after she graduated. Although she is currently happily married to Ben Aaron, she endured an abusive relationship during some of her toughest times.
The relationship grew so severe that she was compelled to seek police intervention during one disturbing incident, leading to her removal from a life-threatening situation. This pivotal moment, along with her desire to achieve her professional dreams, prompted her to enter a mental health facility, where she received a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Ginger Zee’s ongoing journey toward mental wellness and healing from her past trauma is a testament to her resilience.
Decade-long Battle with Anorexia
Ginger Zee first encountered an eating disorder at the tender age of 10, a time marked by her parents’ separation and frequent relocations. Seeking a sense of control over her life, she made a choice that would later spiral into a severe issue. On her first day as a new fourth grader, she impulsively discarded a pizza slice she’d eagerly awaited, equating this rebellion to a newfound freedom.
What began as a coping mechanism soon turned into a profound struggle. By age 12, Zee’s health deteriorated alarmingly, prompting concern from her family. After returning home from a trip, her mother was taken aback by her daughter’s drastic weight loss, seeing her go from 90 to 70 pounds. It wasn’t until her college years, after enduring extensive treatment, that Zee began to gain control over her condition. Having shared her story publicly, she has taken on an advocacy role, even hosting a special segment on eating disorders in May 2023, emphasizing her long battle with anorexia.
Hospitalization due to Mental Health Struggles
In addition to anorexia, Ginger Zee has confronted severe depression, which ultimately led to her admission into a psychiatric hospital at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia shortly before she commenced her role on “Good Morning America” in 2011. Initially reluctant to accept her situation, she quickly realized the importance of being there after a proper evaluation deemed her at risk for safety. Despite her mother’s persistent encouragement to seek help, it wasn’t the prospect of help that motivated her but rather landing her dream job that propelled her toward recovery.
During her time in the hospital, she received a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder alongside her depression, a pivotal moment that equipped her with the tools necessary to address her mental health and continue her journey towards wellness.
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“Inside Mental Health” podcast.
Despite the advantages she experienced during her inpatient treatment, Ginger Zee wishes for a shift in societal perceptions regarding mental health hospitalizations. She expressed that while mentioning her depression will elicit no reaction, revealing that she was hospitalized raises eyebrows. She shared this sentiment in a tweet back in 2021, hoping for a future where such reactions are a thing of the past.
Ginger Zee’s Battle with Narcolepsy
Alongside her mental health struggles, Ginger Zee was diagnosed with narcolepsy while in college. This neurological disorder affects the body’s sleep-wake regulation, causing unexpected daytime sleep attacks. At that time, Zee was unaware that her excessive sleepiness stemmed from a disorder, which became evident when she collapsed during an aerobics class, alarming those around her.
Weeks later, she fell asleep again during a workout in her room, prompting concern when someone found her unconscious on the floor next to weights. “Someone found me asleep on the floor with weights next to me,” she shared with the Narcolepsy Network in November 2024. The process of obtaining a correct diagnosis was slow, as healthcare providers initially focused on physical health checks. “Why would they ever think that I was falling asleep?” she elaborated.
After several months of examinations, a doctor recommended a sleep study, which ultimately confirmed her narcolepsy diagnosis. This discovery enabled her to seek appropriate treatment and regain control over her life. “I would be so angry with myself,” Zee recalled in a 2022 “Good Morning America” segment discussing her struggles. Today, she actively participates in raising awareness about narcolepsy and engages in charity events. “Hope awareness helps people get on the right path,” she tweeted during a 5K run in 2019.
Ginger Zee’s Attempts at Suicide
Ginger Zee’s mental health challenges escalated dangerously during her college years, prompting her first suicide attempt. She attributes the worsening of her depression to the medications prescribed for her narcolepsy, which she found heightened her emotional experiences. “It amplified everything,” she disclosed to People in 2017, stating the highs and lows felt more intense. Shortly after graduating, she attempted suicide again before starting her first job at WEYI-TV in Michigan.
During her second attempt, her roommate and then-boyfriend found her in the bathroom and swiftly took her to the emergency room. Fortunately, the medications were not lethal, and medical staff informed her of how fortunate she was to be alive. “At the hospital, they told me how lucky I was,” she recounted in her 2017 book, “Natural Disaster: I Cover Them. I am One.” Following this incident, she moved back in with her mother until she secured her first job offer. Although excited to embark on her new career, she struggled against returning depressive feelings.
The enthusiasm of starting her career couldn’t shield her from her mental health challenges. In 2020, Zee reflected on her early days at WEYI in a post, reminding followers of her mental health struggles. “This wide, forced smile was not long after my second suicide attempt,” she captioned her Instagram post. Finding the right therapist was essential for her recovery, allowing her access to the support and resources necessary for managing her mental health issues.
Ginger Zee faced both severe health struggles and an unhealthy relationship with an abusive partner. The emotional abuse began subtly, appearing as affection initially, but gradually intensified. This situation reached a perilous level, particularly during a planned mountain trip. Before this outing, Ginger’s friends had organized a celebration for her.
Her boyfriend, referred to as John in her narrative, left for the trip early and pressured her to meet him before the gathering. He threatened that if she didn’t, he would suspect her of being unfaithful. Ultimately, she abandoned her own party to join him. The hiking excursion was marred by extravagant proclamations of love interspersed with threats and accusations, creating a dangerous atmosphere. “I found myself hiding under a table in a hotel, crying to my mom, who feared for my safety,” she shared in a 2021 Instagram post following Gabby Petito’s tragic passing.
Her mother encouraged her to reach out for help. “They arranged for me to switch hotels to ensure I was safe. I flew home the following day,” she recounted. Despite the trauma from her relationship with John, she appreciates how it led her to seek necessary inpatient care. “In a way, he directed me to a path of profound healing,” she remarked in a 2019 MedCircle interview.
If you or someone you know is facing an eating disorder, needs mental health support, is having suicidal thoughts, or is dealing with domestic abuse, please reach out to the resources listed below:
- The National Eating Disorders Association can be reached via its Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. For 24/7 Crisis Support, text NEDA to 741-741.
- You can also contact Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, or call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). Additionally, you may visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
- For support, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- For assistance, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or visit their website for more resources and support.
