If you’ve spent a Friday night curled up on the couch watching Dateline, you know Andrea Canning. She has that specific vibe—part empathetic listener, part relentless investigator. But lately, fans have been hitting Google with one specific question: how old is Andrea Canning?
Maybe it’s because she seems to have discovered the fountain of youth. Or maybe it’s because she manages a schedule that would make a marathon runner collapse. Whatever the reason, the answer is pretty straightforward, though her life is anything but.
The Numbers: Andrea Canning’s Real Age
Andrea Canning was born on December 10, 1972. As of today in early 2026, Andrea Canning is 53 years old.
She’ll be hitting the 54 mark this coming December. Honestly, it’s a bit hard to believe when you see her trekking through rugged terrain for a crime scene reconstruction or reporting from a dimly lit courtroom. She grew up in Collingwood, Ontario—a beautiful area near Blue Mountain—and she still carries that hardy, Canadian "let’s get it done" energy into every story she touches.
Why People Are So Curious
Why do we care how old she is? It’s not just celebrity gossip. It’s mostly because Canning is basically a human Swiss Army knife. People look at her and think, "Wait, how long has she been doing this?"
✨ Don't miss: Gene Hackman NM Home: Why the Legend’s Santa Fe Retreat Still Matters
She didn't just pop up on Dateline yesterday. Her career started way back in the mid-90s. We’re talking about a woman who was an assignment editor for Extra and an intern for Baywatch (yes, really) before she became a household name in news.
Then there’s the family factor. Andrea isn't just a journalist; she’s a mother of six. You read that right. Six kids.
- Anna Katherine (the eldest, born in 2009)
- Charlotte Brewster
- Christina Margaret (famously known as "Kiki")
- Georgia Rapalje
- Elle Corbin
- George Anthony III (the youngest, and the only boy!)
When you realize she’s 53, has six children, and still travels the world for NBC News, the "age" question becomes less about a number and more about "How is she still standing?"
A Career That Defines an Era
If you want to understand the 53-year-old version of Andrea Canning, you have to look at her 2011. That was the year of the "Winning" heard 'round the world.
Her interview with Charlie Sheen for 20/20 was a massive cultural moment. It was weird. It was viral. It was arguably the peak of the "tiger blood" era. Most reporters would have been rattled by Sheen’s erratic energy, but Canning stayed cool. That poise is exactly what landed her the Dateline gig in 2012.
Since then, she hasn't just stuck to the news desk. She’s a prolific screenwriter for Hallmark and Lifetime movies. If you’ve ever watched a movie like Double Mommy or Killer Prom and thought the dialogue felt suspiciously like a true-crime script, check the credits. It’s probably her.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that she’s younger than she is, mostly because she started her "big" network roles a bit later than some. She was in her late 30s during the Sheen interview and joined Dateline at 40.
In an industry that is notoriously—and often unfairly—obsessed with youth, especially for women, Canning has totally flipped the script. She’s more relevant now in her 50s than she was in her 20s.
The IVF Journey
Another reason her age comes up is her son, George. Andrea was 46 when she gave birth to him in 2019. She’s been very open about using IVF to conceive her son after having five daughters. This transparency resonates with a lot of women who are navigating motherhood later in life, and it’s a big part of why her "age" is such a high-volume search term.
The Secret to the "Dateline Glow"
So, what’s the takeaway here? Is there some secret serum? Probably not.
Canning has often joked that "chasing after kids" is her primary form of exercise. She’s also spoken about the "mom guilt" that comes with a high-travel job. But basically, she’s just incredibly disciplined.
She balances the heavy, often tragic nature of true crime with the lighthearted world of holiday rom-coms she writes for TV. That mental shift probably keeps her sharper than any expensive face cream would.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re a fan of Andrea and want to keep up with her beyond just her age, here’s how to actually see what she’s doing in 2026:
- Listen to the Podcast: She recently launched Dateline True Crime Weekly. It’s her first solo podcast venture, and it’s where she gets to nerd out on the cases that don't always make it to the TV screen.
- Check the TV Movie Listings: Keep an eye on Lifetime and Hallmark. She often writes under her own name, and her thrillers are usually much better than your average "movie of the week."
- Follow her Socials: She’s surprisingly active on Instagram, where she posts a mix of behind-the-scenes Dateline shots and the chaotic reality of life with six kids.
Andrea Canning proves that 53 isn't just a number; it’s a prime. She’s at the top of her game, proving that you can be a hard-hitting journalist, a screenwriter, and a mother of half a dozen, all while making it look—sorta—easy.
To get the most out of her work, start by following her new podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, as that's where her most recent reporting lives.