Mary Ann Ahern Biography
Mary Ann Ahern is an American reporter working for WMAQ-TV as a political reporter. She joined the NBC5 News team in March 1989 and took up the political reporter position in 2006.
Mary Ann Ahern Career
Michigan City, Indiana is Mary’s native home and she attended John Carroll University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. She also attended Northeastern Illinois University where she earned a Master’s degree in Education while also working as an English teacher. In addition, she also earned another master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. For Ahern’s news coverage, she earned a number of Emmy awards and in 2012, the Chicago Headline Club awarded her the Peter Lisagor Lifetime Achievement Award.
While serving as a political reporter, Ann has covered political campaigns from Chicago to the White House. Mary has also covered presidential election nights from New York, Texas, Boston, and Chicago. She also covered presidential inaugurations from Washington, D.C. She has also had the privilege to cover the transitions from Mayor Richard Daley to Mayor Rahm Emanuel to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and she traveled through the primary states during presidential campaigns in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Ahern has also followed the Illinois delegation in the nation’s capital and the political goings on in Springfield.
For covering the religion beat Mary gained recognition. She has also reported from Rome on the selection of Pope Benedict’s farewell, Pope Francis, and the 2014 canonization of pontiffs John XXIII and John Paul II. Furthermore, Ann has covered Pope John Paul II’s numerous trips over the years, inclusive of his trip to Cuba and to a number of World Youth Day events. She also followed the last year of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Cardinal Blase Cupich, and Cardinal Francis George’s selection, the emergency meeting by the Pope with the American Cardinals on the priest sex abuse crisis, and the beatification of Mother Teresa.
In addition, Mary has covered many breaking news related to the Roman Catholic church. She was the first report who disclose the priest sex abuse crisis. Her report resulted in the Archdiocese finally opening its files and creating a lay review board, a model that other cities followed. She was among the few American journalists in Cuba in 1996, who had the privilege to report on Pope John Paul’s trip to Havana for 10 days. Furthermore, Mary has also traveled as a reporter to Mexico City with Cardinal George during the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Not only does Mary report for the NBC affiliate in Chicago, but she is also chosen to file stories for the NBC affiliates nationwide. She is also a regular panelist for religion and political media issues. While reporting in Chicago, in October 2004, Ann did the last television interview with the late Christopher Reeve who was an actor and disability activist. Furthermore, Mary has also covered; Princess Diana’s visit to Chicago, snowstorms, Wrigley Field, the White House, and City Hall. Prior to joining the NBC5 news team, Ahern worked for WXIA-TV in Atlanta, Georgia where she served as a political reporter from 1985-1989. Mary also worked at WEEK-TV in Peoria, Ill. from 1982-1985 and while she was there, she served as a reporter/weekend anchor.
Mary Ann Ahern Salary
Ahern earns a salary of about $47,000-$120,000.
Mary Ann Ahern Net Worth
Ahern has an estimated net worth of about $1 Million – $7 Million which she has earned through her career as a reporter.
Mary Ann Ahern Age
Ahern has neither disclosed the date, month nor the year she was born. Thus, it is not known how old she is or when she celebrates her birthday.
Mary Ann Ahern Height and Weight
Ahern stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches tall. However, information about her weight will be updated when available.
Mary Ann Ahern Family
Ahern likes to keep her personal life private hence she has neither disclosed the names of her parent nor those of her siblings. However, this information will be updated when available.
Mary Ann Ahern Husband and Children
Ahern is married to Thomas who is a police officer working in Chicago. Together, they have been blessed with three children Mary Ahern, Barbara Ahern, and Patricia Ahern.
Mary Ann Ahern Social Media Platform
Ahern is very active on her Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages. She has 37.1k followers on Twitter 3k followers on Instagram, and 8.9k followers on Facebook.