Vinita Nair is a widely recognized American television journalist, best known as the former co-host of “CBS This Morning: Saturday,” where she shared the anchor desk with Anthony Mason.
Vinita Chandra Nair was born on September 8, 1981, in Evanston, Illinois. She spent most of her childhood in Colleyville, Texas, where she was raised by her Indian American family. Nair pursued journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, earning a bachelor's degree in the field.
Nair began her career in broadcast journalism at WGEM-TV, an NBC affiliate in Quincy, Illinois. She later held reporting and anchoring roles at KOLN/KGIN-TV in Nebraska and KWGN-TV in Denver. Reflecting on her early career, Nair noted the initial scarcity of Indian American journalists in mainstream media. Over time, she observed greater diversity in the industry, stating, “The landscape has changed, and I’m proud to be a part of it. I’m living my dream. I get a front-row seat to history.”
Her national breakthrough came at ABC News, where she served for six years. While there, she co-anchored “World News Now” and “America This Morning,” and contributed to “Good Morning America.” In January 2013, Nair joined CBS News as co-anchor of “CBS This Morning: Saturday.” During her tenure, she helped raise the program’s ratings and became known for her engaging presence and strong journalistic instincts.
As a CBS reporter and anchor, Nair covered a wide array of stories and conducted high-profile interviews, including a notable conversation with actor Josh Gad. Her enthusiasm for cooking influenced her content choices, as she welcomed culinary figures like Alton Brown and Jose Garces to the program.
In 2008, while still with ABC News, Nair made a guest appearance on the soap opera “One Life to Live,” portraying a doctor in a storyline involving a character named Natalie. After her brief stint in scripted television, she referred to the experience fondly, saying, “I got to be a soap star for a day.” Though it was a one-time experience, it sparked an interest that she has considered exploring further.
Vinita Nair married Osman Nawaz on October 10, 2009. The couple welcomed their son, also named Osman, on January 25, 2012. The family resides in New York City. Balancing parenthood with a demanding broadcasting schedule—starting at 3:30 a.m. on weekends and 6 a.m. on weekdays—Nair has spoken about the challenges of rest and time management, but says she remains committed to both her family and her passion for journalism.
A self-described foodie, Nair enjoys both South Indian dishes passed down by her mother and Texan culinary staples from her home state. Some of her favorite spots include Joe T. Garcia’s for spicy fajitas, Whataburger for taquitos, and Ol’ South Pancake House for hearty breakfasts. When entertaining out-of-town guests, she proudly introduces them to these hometown favorites.
Thanks to her extensive experience and success in television journalism, Vinita Nair has accumulated an estimated net worth of $3 million.
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Date of Birth: | March 8, 1981 |
| Employer: | CBS (2013–2016), ABC News (2008–2011) |
| T.V. Show(s): | World News Now |
| Birth Place: | Evanston, IL |
| Spouse: | Osman Nawaz (m. 2009) |
| Education: | Medill Chicago, Northwestern University |
| Height: | 5' 6" |
| Profession: | Journalist |
| Children: | 1 |
| Nationality: | American, Indian |
| Ethnicity: | ?Asian-American |
| Net Worth: | $3 Million |
| Awards: | James Beard Award for Television Segment |
| Net Worth 2021: | 3 million |
