Giselle Fernandez Biography
Giselle Fernandez is an American anchor and reporter working for Spectrum News 1 as a morning anchor, host, and executive producer. She joined the Spectrum News 1 news team in August 2018.
Giselle Fernandez Career
Fernandez began honing her journalism skills at California State University, Sacramento where she graduated in 1982 earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Government. Her TV career started in 1983, with short stints at Colorado Springs, Colorado’s KRDO-TV, and Santa Barbara, California’s KEYT-TV. She started working as a reporter and weekend anchor for Los Angeles’ KTLA in 1985, when actor Fess Parker, a Santa Barbara native and friend of KTLA’s news managing director at the time, recommended her to the station.
Fernandez relocated to CBS-owned WBBM-TV in Chicago two years later, then to the newly acquired CBS station WCIX in Miami in 1989. When she went canoeing with John Cappas, a drug dealer who was wanted by the law, and then escorted him to his arrest by federal investigators, she caused significant controversy in Chicago in 1988. In October 1991, after relocating to New York City, she secured her first national news position with CBS News, where she worked as a journalist and backup anchor for the morning, evening, and weekend newscasts. Afterward, she relocated to NBC, where she worked as an anchor for Weekend Today and the Sunday edition of NBC Nightly News.
She also covered for Brian Williams on the Saturday edition and took on several special reporting assignments both domestically and internationally. Fernández covered the Persian Gulf War while covering the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, the trial of the conspirators behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the crisis surrounding Cuban immigration, social upheaval in Haiti, and the trial of the conspirators. Fernandez was invited to make a rare interview of Fidel Castro, then president of Cuba.
Fernández co-hosted the NBC entertainment news show Access Hollywood from 1996 to 1999. After that, she co-hosted the History Channel program This Week in History. She went back to Los Angeles in October 2001 and reconnected with KTLA. In August 2003, she resigned from this role to work on many side projects, such as writing children’s books and a movie. Her novel, Gigi and the Birthday Ring, was released by the Laredo Publishing Company in 2004.
In addition, Fernandez serves as co-president of F Squared Productions, in Beverly Hills, California, where she develops film and television ideas, and president of Skinny Hippo Productions, her production firm. Moreover, she takes pride in her documentary, “Our Story,” which raised awareness of the healthcare crisis facing low-income children in the Latin community. Fernandez, the five-time Emmy Award winner, is a member of the Smithsonian National Board for Latino Initiatives and has worked on the board of trustees of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. In 2006, she was named the year’s Outstanding Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Giselle Fernandez Salary
Fernandez earns an annual salary of about $47,000-$120,000.
Giselle Fernandez Net Worth
Fernandez has an estimated net worth of about $1 Million – $7 Million which she has earned through her career as an anchor, host, and executive producer.
Giselle Fernandez Age
Fernandez was born on May 15, 1961, in Mexico City, Mexico. She is 63 years old as of 2024, and she celebrates her birthday on the 15th of May every year.
Giselle Fernandez Height and Weight
Fernandez stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) tall and weighs 57 kg (125 lbs).
Giselle Fernandez Family
Fernández was born in Mexico City and was brought to East Los Angeles in the United States when she was four years old. Her Jewish mother was a student of Mexican folklore while her Catholic father, who died of Alzheimer’s disease, was a flamenco dancer. Fernández likes to keep her personal life private hence she has neither disclosed the names of her parents nor those of her siblings. However, this information will be updated when available.
Giselle Fernandez Husband and Children
Fernandez had previously dated Ron Kershaw, whom she had met in Chicago. Kershaw passed away from liver and pancreatic cancer, although the two were still engaged. In 2002, she married British businessman John Farrand, who had previously served as CEO of Panavision, Inc. However, the couple separated in April 2014. As of 2023, she has not disclosed her relationship status as she is very private with her personal life. However, this information will be updated when available.
Giselle Fernandez Daughter
Fernandez and her ex-husband John Farrand adopted a daughter known as Talei. In a special edition of “LA Stories with Giselle Fernandez,” Pope Francis addresses the people of Los Angeles, highlighting the city’s selection as the U.S. launchpad for his Pelota de Trapo initiative. As part of his Scholas Occurrentes foundation, the Pope granted exclusive access to important Los Angeles stakeholders to launch the sports leadership program. Using the power of athletics, the objective is to teach leadership and community building to hundreds of youngsters from many backgrounds and beliefs. In collaboration with the County Board of Supervisors and the LA84 Foundation, the initiative was formally introduced in 2023.
Talei Fernandez was chosen to be the campaign’s U.S. Ambassador and joined thousands of young people on World Youth Day in Portugal this summer. The young people there took part in celebrations of faith and seminars. Talei presented the Pope with a ball of rags, signifying the beginning of the Pelota de Trapo initiative in America, during a special meeting on behalf of Los Angeles and the United States.
Giselle Fernandez Dancing with the Stars
In January 2006, Fernández participated in the second season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, however, she was the third competitor to be eliminated. She partnered with Jonathan Roberts and had an average of 23 points.
Giselle Fernandez Social Media Platform
Fernandez is very active on her Twitter, and Instagram pages. She has 2.4k followers on Twitter and 6.9k followers on Instagram.