You’ve probably seen her on your screen for decades. Whether it was the high-intensity reports on 20/20, the investigative deep dives on A&E, or her more recent presence on NewsNation, Elizabeth Vargas has a face and a voice that feels like home to anyone who follows the news. But here’s the thing: because she’s been around for so long, people are constantly guessing—usually incorrectly—about her age.
So, how old is Elizabeth Vargas?
As of right now, in early 2026, Elizabeth Vargas is 63 years old. She was born on September 6, 1962. If you’re doing the math for her upcoming birthday later this year, she’ll be turning 64 this September. Honestly, it’s kind of wild to think about the sheer volume of history she’s covered in those years. From the Elian Gonzalez case that won her an Emmy to interviewing world leaders in the Oval Office, her age isn't just a number; it's a timeline of American journalism.
Why Everyone Is Searching for Elizabeth Vargas's Age Right Now
It’s not just idle curiosity. People are searching for Elizabeth Vargas’s age because she’s managed to do something very few in the TV news industry do: she’s stayed relevant across multiple eras. Most anchors fade out or get "aged out" by networks looking for younger faces. Elizabeth? She just kept moving.
She’s currently anchoring Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation. It’s a weeknight gig, 7 p.m. Eastern, and she’s still out there doing the work. When you see her on screen today, she has that same sharp, inquisitive energy she had back in the 90s. It sort of messes with people's internal clocks.
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Vargas didn't just stumble into a long career. She grew up as a "military brat," moving from post to post in Germany and Belgium. That kind of childhood builds a specific type of resilience. By the time she graduated from the University of Missouri in 1984, she was already primed for the fast-paced, often unstable world of broadcast news.
The Path to 63: A Career That Defied the Odds
To understand her age is to understand her journey. She started in Reno, then Phoenix, then Chicago. By 1993, she was at NBC. By 1996, she was at ABC, where she’d eventually become the first woman of Puerto Rican and Irish-American heritage to anchor a national evening news broadcast.
Think about that for a second.
- 1996: Joins Good Morning America.
- 2004: Becomes co-anchor of 20/20.
- 2005: Steps into the massive shoes of Peter Jennings on World News Tonight.
- 2021: Revives America's Most Wanted on Fox.
- 2023-Present: Leading her own show on NewsNation.
She’s lived a lot of professional lives.
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The Reality of Aging in the Public Eye
Vargas has been incredibly open about things most celebrities hide. She didn't just talk about her age; she talked about her struggles. Her memoir, Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction, is a brutal, honest look at her battle with anxiety and alcoholism.
She’s mentioned before that her anxiety started when she was just a kid, specifically when her father was away during the Vietnam War. She spent years hiding it. She thought she had to look perfect. In an industry that prizes youth and "perfection," being 63 and saying, "Hey, I struggled with this for a long time," is actually a huge deal. It’s part of why her audience is so loyal. They don't just see a news reader; they see a human being who has aged with grace and grit.
Life Outside the Anchor Chair
When she’s not in the studio in New York, she’s a mom. She has two sons, Zach and Sam, with her ex-husband, musician Marc Cohn. If you remember the song "Walking in Memphis," yeah, that’s him. They were married for about 12 years before divorcing in 2014.
Vargas is also a big proponent of Transcendental Meditation. George Stephanopoulos actually introduced her to it back in 2014. She uses it to manage the stress that comes with a high-pressure career that, let's be real, doesn't get any easier as you get older.
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Elizabeth Vargas: What to Watch Next
If you're looking to catch her in action, you've got options. She isn't slowing down. Here is how you can keep up with her current work:
- NewsNation: Watch Elizabeth Vargas Reports weeknights. It’s one of the few places where you get straightforward, investigative-style reporting without the heavy partisan lean you see elsewhere.
- Heart of the Matter Podcast: She hosts this for the Partnership to End Addiction. It’s deep, it’s emotional, and it’s very different from her "hard news" persona.
- Her Memoir: If you haven't read Between Breaths, go get it. It changes how you see her when she’s on TV.
Elizabeth Vargas is 63. She’s a pioneer. She’s a survivor. And honestly? She’s probably just getting started on her next chapter. If you're interested in the intersection of media and mental health, following her current work on addiction recovery is a great place to start.
Keep an eye on the NewsNation schedule for special "Decision 2026" coverage, as she’s expected to be a lead voice in the upcoming election cycle. You can also check out her recent interviews on YouTube, where she discusses her move from major networks to independent cable news.