Cecilia Vega
Born (1977-01-07) January 7, 1977 (age 47)
Alma materAmerican University
Occupations
  • News correspondent
  • News anchor
Years active1999–present

Cecilia Marcellina Vega (born January 7, 1977) is an American journalist and news correspondent for 60 Minutes. Prior to that she was the Chief White House Correspondent for ABC News. Vega also worked at the local news affiliate KGO-TV in San Francisco, where she was awarded an Emmy in 2010. The next year, she joined ABC News, first working as a Los Angeles-based correspondent. In 2015, she became the Saturday news anchor for ABC World News Tonight.[1] Vega vacated the position to become the network's senior White House Correspondent, and also hosted Good Morning America.

Early life

Vega graduated in 1995 at Salesian High School in Richmond, California.[2] She graduated from the American University School of Communication in 1999.[3] After graduating, Vega reported for the San Francisco Chronicle, covering then-Mayor Gavin Newsom's administration. Her reporting received accolades from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the East Bay Press Club, and the Hearst Corporation.[4]

Career

KGO-TV

For three years, Vega reported for the ABC network affiliate station KGO-TV in San Francisco, covering numerous stories.[5] In 2010, Vega won a Northern California Emmy Award for the Best Daytime Newscast in a Large Market.[6]

ABC News

Vega joined ABC News in 2011 as a Los Angeles-based correspondent.[7] In 2012, Vega covered the elections and second inauguration of President Barack Obama.[8] She also covered the 2016 presidential election and the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. During her time as a national correspondent, Vega covered numerous stories, including the Fukushima power plant disaster, the appointment of Pope Francis, the 2014 Ebola epidemic in the United States, the Sony computer hacking, the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby, and the 2016 Summer Olympics.[5]

On March 2, 2015, she became the anchor for the Saturday edition of World News Tonight, with Tom Llamas anchoring the Sunday edition.[9] In January 2017, Llamas was named the full-time weekend anchor of World News Tonight, while Vega was moved to become the senior White House Correspondent.[10]

On October 1, 2018, during a press conference about the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, U.S. President Donald Trump called on her to ask him questions. He then joked at Vega's surprised reaction, stating: "I know you're not thinking. You never do." Vega brushed aside the remark, and asked Trump about the FBI investigation into then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Trump declined to answer, stating the question was unrelated to the trade deal. Vega later tweeted: "A news conference means you get to ask whatever question you want to ask. #FirstAmendment."[11]

In January 2021, Vega was named the chief White House Correspondent for ABC News, succeeding Jonathan Karl.[12]

CBS News

On January 19, 2023, it was reported that Vega would be joining CBS News as a correspondent for 60 Minutes.[13]

Personal life

She lives in Washington, D.C., with her dog Jalisco, who she enjoys taking to the dog park often.[14]

References

  1. ^ Scott, Van (March 2, 2015). "ABC News Announces Cecilia Vega & Tom Llamas as "World News Tonight" Weekend Anchors". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  2. ^ "Media Mania". Salesian Magazine. Winter 2015. p. 2 – via issuu.
  3. ^ Mularz, Nicole; Olson, Megan (April 9, 2015). "SOC Alumna Reports Breaking News for ABC". American University. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  4. ^ Welprin, Alex (September 19, 2011). "Cecilia Vega Named ABC News Correspondent". AdWeek. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Cecilia Vega ABC News Official Biography". ABC News. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  6. ^ "39th Annual Northern California Area EMMY Awards 2009–2010" (PDF) (Press release). Northern California Emmy Awards. May 17, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  7. ^ Knox, Merrill (September 19, 2011). "KGO's Cecilia Vega Named ABC News Correspondent". AdWeek. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  8. ^ "Presidential Election 2012 TV Coverage — Network-By-Network Plans". Deadline.com. November 5, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  9. ^ Chariton, Jordan (March 2, 2015). "ABC News Names Cecilia Vega and Tom Llamas 'World News Tonight' Weekend Anchors". TheWrap. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  10. ^ de Moreas, Lisa (January 30, 2017). "Tom Llamas Named Anchor Of ABC's 'World News Tonight' Weekend Editions". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 30, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  11. ^ Hafner, Josh (October 1, 2018). "Trump insults female reporter: 'You're not thinking. You never do'". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  12. ^ Johnson, Ted (January 19, 2021). "ABC News Sets New D.C. Assignments: Cecilia Vega Named Chief White House Correspondent; Jon Karl To Launch ABC News Live Show". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  13. ^ "Emmy-winning journalist Cecilia Vega joins 60 Minutes". CBS News. January 19, 2023. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  14. ^ Carlson, Adam (March 18, 2021). "ABC News' Cecilia Vega on Breaking Barriers as a Latina, Pressing the White House — and Her Ideal Day Off". People.
Media offices Preceded byJonathan Karl ABC News Chief White House Correspondent January 2021 – January 2023 Incumbent
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