Early Life and Multicultural Background

Natalie Leticia Morales was born on June 6, 1972, in Taipei, Taiwan. Although born in Taiwan, she is of Puerto Rican and Brazilian descent—her father, Lieutenant Colonel Mario Morales Jr., is Puerto Rican, and her mother, Penelope, is Brazilian. Due to her multicultural heritage and international upbringing as a U.S. Air Force dependent, Morales is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English.

She spent much of her childhood in Brazil and Spain, which greatly influenced her appreciation for global perspectives. Raised with strong ties to her cultural roots, Morales developed a keen interest in journalism and Latin American studies at an early age.

Education and Academic Achievements

Morales attended Rutgers University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with dual majors in Journalism and Latin American Studies. She graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honor society in the United States. Her commitment to academic excellence foreshadowed her drive and dedication in her journalism career.

Early Career and Rise in Journalism

Before launching a career in broadcast journalism, Morales worked briefly at Chase Bank in New York. She began her broadcasting career at WVIT-TV, the NBC affiliate in Hartford, Connecticut, where she served as a morning co-anchor and reporter. During her time there, she covered major news events including the Columbine High School shootings, Hurricane Floyd, the 2000 U.S. Presidential election, and the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Her impactful reporting quickly caught the attention of national media. Morales was later honored with the "Groundbreaking Latina in Media" award by Catalina magazine and the National Association of Latina Leaders. That same year, she was named one of People en Español’s "Fifty Most Beautiful People," reinforcing her status as both a respected journalist and public persona.

‘Today Show’ and West Coast Anchor Role

In 2016, Morales transitioned from New York to Los Angeles to become the West Coast anchor of NBC’s 'Today' show. She also took on a new role as the host of 'Access Hollywood' and 'Access Hollywood Live,' replacing Billy Bush. This move marked a significant chapter in her broadcasting career and expanded her presence in entertainment journalism.

Beyond journalism, Morales has made cameo appearances in pop culture films such as 'Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!' and 'Sharknado: The 4th Awakens,' embracing the opportunity for fun in these cult-favorite productions.