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Joan Lunden was born on September 19, 1950, in California, USA. She was the daughter of Dr. Erle Murray Blunden, a physician, and Gladyce Lorraine Blunden. After completing high school at the age of 16, Lunden attended California State University, Sacramento, where she earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. She furthered her education at the Universidad de Las Américas in Mexico, focusing on Spanish and anthropology. During her early career, she also taught a course in broadcast journalism at Montclair State College in New Jersey.
Lunden began her professional career in broadcast journalism in 1975 when she joined WABC-TV in New York. In 1976, she was promoted to co-anchor of the weekend newscast and soon contributed to ABC's coverage of the Winter Olympics alongside Sandy Hill. That same year, her talent and on-camera presence led her to become the co-host of ABC's Good Morning America, initially alongside David Hartman and later with Charlie Gibson.
Throughout her tenure from 1980 to 1997, Lunden became a household name, known for her in-depth reporting and engaging interviews. She reported from 26 countries and covered stories involving four U.S. presidents. Her field reporting also included extensive Olympic Games coverage and exclusive interviews with prominent figures, including U.S. Presidents and First Ladies.
In addition to her journalism career, Lunden made various appearances in film and television. Notably, she had a cameo role in Jason Reitman’s satirical comedy Thank You for Smoking, which received two Golden Globe nominations. She also made guest appearances in television series such as Murphy Brown (1992) and Home Improvement (1998), expanding her presence beyond traditional news programming.
Joan Lunden is also a best-selling author. She has written eight books, many of which focus on personal wellness, parenting, and healthy living. Her titles include advice for balanced lifestyles, practical fitness tips, and motivational guidance for women and families. Through her writing, she has become a trusted voice on self-improvement and health advocacy.
Since 2014, Lunden has contributed periodically to NBC’s Today show. Her segments often focus on health awareness, caregiving for older adults, and women’s issues. Her experience and empathy have made her a respected advocate for aging populations and wellness education on national television.
In 1978, Joan Lunden married television producer Michael A. Krauss, with whom she had three daughters. The couple divorced in 1992. In 2000, she married Jeff Konigsberg, and together they have four children via a surrogate. In total, Lunden is the mother of seven children.
Tragedy struck early in her life when her father died in a plane crash when she was just 13 years old. Her mother, Gladyce Blunden, passed away in 2013. These personal experiences shaped Lunden’s outlook and contributed to her empathetic and grounded persona in her professional work.
In 2014, Lunden publicly revealed on Good Morning America that she had been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. She became an outspoken advocate for breast cancer awareness, sharing her journey and treatment process. She successfully completed treatment and is now in remission. Medical professionals have indicated that her chance of recurrence is very low. Her transparency has inspired many and contributed meaningfully to public health conversations.
Joan Lunden has received numerous accolades throughout her career. In 2011, she was honored with the Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Talk Show for her series Taking Care with Joan Lunden. In addition, she has been nominated for five Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Special Class Program category and received three CableACE Award nominations for her work as an information host and program hostess.
With a career spanning several decades in broadcast journalism, authorship, and health advocacy, Joan Lunden has become one of the most recognizable faces on American television. Her dedication to informing and empowering audiences has earned her respect and admiration nationwide. As both a journalist and public speaker, she continues to influence discussions on health, family, and aging with grace and authority.
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