Ann Curry

Ann Curry – Life, Career, and Memorable Insights

Learn about Ann Curry, the American journalist born November 19, 1956, known for her front-line reporting, leadership at NBC’s Today, humanitarian storytelling, and her powerful voice in journalism today.

Introduction

Ann Curry (born November 19, 1956) is a pioneering American broadcast journalist whose compassion, commitment, and integrity earned her a rare place in mainstream media. Over more than four decades, she has reported from war zones and disaster areas, anchored major news shows, and later forged her own path telling human stories on her own terms. Her journey exemplifies the challenges and influence of being a visible woman of mixed heritage in media, and her work continues to inspire journalists and audiences alike.

Early Life and Family

Ann Curry was born in Agana (now Hagåtña), Guam, to Hiroe Nagase and Robert Paul “Bob” Curry. Her mother is Japanese; her father was an American from Pueblo, Colorado, with Irish and German ancestry. Her parents met during the post-World War II U.S. occupation of Japan—her father, serving in the U.S. Navy, was stationed there and later returned to marry her mother.

Curry was the eldest of five children. Because of her father’s naval career, her family moved frequently. She spent early years in Japan, San Diego, Alameda, California, and Virginia Beach before settling in Ashland, Oregon, where she completed high school.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oregon in 1978.

Youth, Education & Early Career

During her youth, Curry’s multicultural upbringing and experiences living abroad likely shaped her sensitivity to global issues and human stories.

After college, she began in broadcast journalism:

• 1978: Intern at KTVL in Medford, Oregon; soon became the station’s first female reporter.

• 1980–1984: Reporter and anchor at KGW (Portland).

• Mid-1980s: Moved to Los Angeles as a reporter for KCBS-TV, earning Emmy Awards for her coverage of major events like earthquakes and pipeline explosions.

These early years built her reputation for solid, trustworthy journalism and led to her joining NBC.

Career and Achievements

NBC and Major Anchoring Roles

In 1990, Curry joined NBC News. Her roles included:

• Correspondent in Chicago

• Anchor of NBC News at Sunrise (1991–1996)

• Rotating Sunday anchor of NBC Nightly News

• Substitute and eventually news anchor for Today starting in 1997

• Co-anchor of Dateline NBC (2005–2011)

In June 2011, she became co-anchor of Today (the morning show). However, in June 2012, she was controversially removed as co-anchor; in an emotional farewell, she said she could not “carry the ball over the finish line.”

Following that, she remained with NBC as national and international correspondent / anchor-at-large.

In January 2015, she left NBC after nearly 25 years to launch her own media and storytelling venture.

Front-Line Reporting & Humanitarian Focus

Curry is widely respected for her coverage of war zones, humanitarian crises, and natural disasters. Her reporting has taken her to Kosovo, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Afghanistan, Darfur, Congo, Central African Republic, among others. She covered major disasters like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, with her social media appeal during Haiti being credited as one of Twitter’s “most powerful” posts. Her coverage blends facts with empathy, often emphasizing the human stories behind headlines.

Independent Projects & Later Work

Post-NBC, Curry shifted to projects that align with her strengths in compassionate human storytelling.

• We'll Meet Again with Ann Curry (PBS, 2018–2019): A documentary series reuniting people whose lives intersected under dramatic circumstances.

• Chasing the Cure (TNT/TBS): A medical investigative series exploring undiagnosed illnesses.

• She’s also conducted notable interviews, such as with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in 2015 about nuclear talks.

In recognition of her career, she was awarded the Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, and in 2024 she received the Damon Runyon Award from the Denver Press Club.

Historical & Social Context

• Ann Curry’s rise in broadcast news occurred during an era when women—especially women of mixed or non-white heritage—faced significant hurdles in newsroom hierarchies.

• As one of the few prominent Asian-American journalists on national television, her presence challenged stereotypes and expanded representation.

• Her controversial removal from Today in 2012 generated discourse on gender, race, and power dynamics in media. Some observers saw her departure as reflecting unfair treatment of women in high-visibility roles.

• Her shift toward independent, mission-driven journalism reflects broader changes in media: the move from mass network anchoring to niche storytelling, digital platforms, and audience engagement.

Legacy and Influence

Ann Curry’s legacy lies not only in the stories she covered but in how she covered them — with dignity, empathy, and consistency. She set a high bar for journalism that centers human lives rather than spectacle.

She remains a role model for journalists striving to balance access, integrity, and emotional truth. Her career shows that reporting is not just about breaking news — it can also heal, reconnect, and affirm humanity.

Her own journey—from anchor on network TV to independent storyteller—offers a blueprint for media professionals navigating changing landscapes.

Because her identity includes Japanese and American lineage, she also represents and encourages multicultural voices in journalism.

Personality, Values, and Strengths

Curry is often described by colleagues and observers as earnest, compassionate, grounded, and courageous. She doesn’t shy away from difficult places or stories, but she also values respect and listening.

She has said that journalism is an “act of faith” — faith in people’s stories, in truth, and in the power of bearing witness.

Her upbringing—living across nations and cultures—likely fostered a broad perspective and sensitivity to cross-cultural narratives.

Critically, she has also spoken about confronting career setbacks, public scrutiny, and choices about how much to appear in mainstream outlets. Her career path displays resilience and evolution beyond institutional frameworks.

Memorable Quotes & Insights

While not as widely known for “pithy one-liners” as some public figures, Ann Curry has made statements that reflect her philosophy and integrity. Here are a few:

• “Journalism is an act of faith in the future.”
  — Emphasizing that telling truths and documenting humanity is an investment in what comes next.

• “I believe in being present. I believe in bearing witness.”
  — Reflecting her approach to front-line reporting. (Paraphrased from her interviews and public commentary)

• In her emotional Today send-off, she said she was sorry she couldn’t “carry the ball over the finish line.”

• On newsroom culture and gender: In later interviews, speaking about allegations against Matt Lauer, she noted she was “not surprised” by claims of harassment and underscored that many women understood the “climate of verbal harassment” at NBC.

• Implicit in her public life is the message: voice matters, especially for those whose stories might otherwise go untold.

Lessons from Ann Curry

1. Courage over comfort
   Curry often took assignments in dangerous or under-reported zones. Her career emphasizes choosing substance over safety.

2. Story first, ego second
   Her focus has consistently been on the people in the story—not herself. That humility strengthens trust and impact.

3. Reinvent without losing integrity
   After decades in network news, she pivoted to platforms where she could control tone, mission, and voice.

4. Representation carries weight
   Her visibility as a mixed-heritage woman in national media provided inspiration and challenged norms.

5. Facing setbacks with grace
   The way she handled public departure, criticism, and reinvention offers a lesson in resilience and self-compassion.

Conclusion

Ann Curry’s life and career reflect a deep dedication to journalism that respects humanity rather than spectacle. From battlefields to humanitarian crises, from network studios to independent storytelling, she remains committed to lifting marginalized voices and preserving dignity in reportage.

Her trajectory encourages us to see journalism not just as reporting facts, but as listening, honoring, and connecting. Whether you’re drawn to news, media, or journalism as a calling, her path offers both inspiration and provocation.