Joan Lunden, born as Joan Elise Blunden, is an American journalist and television host known for her work on NBC’s news and talk program ‘Today’ and ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’. She has also hosted several programs on the A&E cable network and lifetime series. Lunden is a prolific writer and has authored numerous books on various topics. She has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to journalism and motherhood, including the prestigious Warrior Award from WWE.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Joan Elise Blunden
- Age: 73 Years, 73 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Jeff Konigsberg (m. 2000), Michael A. Krauss (m. 1978–1992)
- Father: Dr. Erle Murray Blunden
- Mother: Gladyce Lorraine Blunden
- Children: Jack Konigsberg, Jamie Krauss, Kate Elizabeth Konigsberg, Kimberly Konigsberg, Lindsay Kraus, Max Aaron Konigsberg, Sarah Emily Krauss
- Journalists
- American Women
- Height: 5’4″ (163 cm), 5’4″ Females
- U.S. State: California
- More Facts
- Education: California State University, Sacramento, Universidad de Las Americas
Career
Joan Lunden began her journalistic career at KCRA-TV before moving on to work at New York’s WABC-TV’s program ‘Eyewitness News’ in 1975. She started as a co-anchor for the weekend newscasts and later joined GMA as a feature news reporter. Lunden also served as a fill-in co-host for ABC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics. During her time on GMA, she had the opportunity to interview many U.S. Presidents and First Ladies, including Gerald and Betty Ford, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and George and Barbara Bush.
Lunden also hosted several shows throughout her career. She hosted the A&E cable network show ‘Behind Closed Doors’ and guest-hosted the network’s show ‘Biography’ on multiple occasions. She also hosted DirectTV’s series titled ‘Hometown Heroes’ and ‘America’s Invisible Children’. Currently, she hosts the Lifetime series ‘Health Corner’.
Personal Life
Joan Lunden was born as Joan Elise Blunden on September 19, 1950, in Fair Oaks, California, USA. She received her liberal arts degree from California State University, Sacramento, and later studied anthropology and Spanish at the Universidad de Las Americas.
In terms of her love life, Lunden was married to TV/radio personality Michael A. Krauss from 1978 to 1992. They have three daughters together. She then married Jeff Konigsberg in 2000, and they have four children. In 2014, Lunden revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to treat the cancer and is currently healthy and cancer-free as of 2018.