Honestly, if you grew up watching Good Morning America in the '80s or '90s, Joan Lunden’s face is basically burned into your memory as the gold standard of morning TV. She had this way of making you feel like everything was going to be okay, even if you were barely awake and nursing a lukewarm coffee. But time moves fast. One minute she’s reporting from the White House or jumping out of planes with the Golden Knights, and the next, we’re all wondering where the years went.
So, let’s get straight to it: How old is Joan Lunden? As of right now, in early 2026, Joan Lunden is 75 years old. She was born on September 19, 1950.
It’s kind of wild to think about, isn’t it? She’ll be hitting the big 7-6 later this year. But if you’ve seen her lately on the speaking circuit or caught her on Today, you’d know she isn't exactly slowing down to knit sweaters on a porch. She’s essentially redefined what "aging gracefully" looks like by being incredibly loud and honest about the messy parts of getting older.
The Math Behind the Legend
Joan Elise Blunden (her birth name) arrived in Fair Oaks, California, during a time when television was still finding its legs. By the time she became a household name on GMA in 1980, she was just 30 years old. She spent nearly two decades in that seat, which means a huge chunk of America watched her grow from a young reporter into a seasoned journalist and a mother of seven.
Yes, seven.
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That’s usually the part that makes people do a double-take. She has three daughters from her first marriage—Jamie, Lindsay, and Sarah. Then, in a move that basically broke the internet before the internet was a thing, she and her second husband, Jeff Konigsberg, welcomed two sets of twins via surrogacy in her early 50s.
Think about that for a second. While most people her age were looking at retirement brochures, she was changing diapers and dealing with toddlers. It’s probably why she seems so much younger than the calendar says. You can't really "feel" 75 when you've spent the last two decades chasing Kate, Max, Kimberly, and Jack around the house.
Why We’re Still Talking About Her Age
It’s not just celebrity worship. The reason "how old is Joan Lunden" stays in the search bars is that she’s become a bit of a guinea pig for the Boomer generation. She’s navigated things that were once considered "taboo" for women in the spotlight.
- The "Sandwich Generation" Struggle: Joan spent years balancing a high-pressure career while caring for her aging mother and raising young kids. She’s been super vocal about how exhausting that is.
- The Health Battle: Back in 2014, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. She didn't hide. She went on the cover of People magazine with a bald head, showing the world what survival actually looks like.
- The Longevity Factor: She’s currently a "Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence" at Lehigh University’s College of Health. She’s literally teaching the next generation about how the media handles public health.
She’s basically the poster child for the "Third Act." That’s the period of life after the primary career ends but before you actually feel "old."
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The 2026 Update: Life Beyond the Script
If you’re looking for what she’s up to right now, she’s actually gearing up for a massive year. In March 2026, she’s set to release her newest memoir, JOAN: Life Beyond the Script. It’s supposed to be a deep dive into the stuff she couldn’t say when she was under the strict "objective journalist" rules of ABC News.
She’s also still a massive advocate for the Family and Medical Leave Act. She’s been to Washington more times than some politicians to testify about why families need better support. It’s funny—most people retire and want to talk about their "legacy," but Joan seems more interested in talking about policy and why your bladder changes when you hit 60.
What Most People Get Wrong About Joan
There's this weird misconception that she just "disappeared" after GMA. Not even close. She went on to do Behind Closed Doors, where she did stuff like training with Navy SEALs. Most 40-somethings wouldn't do that, let alone someone who had already reached the top of their field.
She’s also incredibly tech-savvy. You’ll find her on Instagram and her own website, constantly engaging with people about aging. She calls herself a "self-help junkie," and it shows. She’s always looking for the next bio-hack or wellness tip.
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How to Channel Your "Inner Joan"
If you’re looking at Joan’s age and feeling a bit of "age envy," here’s the takeaway from her career and life:
- Say "Yes" when you're scared. She became Sacramento's first "weather girl" with zero experience because she just decided to try.
- Be the CEO of your own health. This is her big mantra. Don't just wait for a doctor to tell you what's wrong; research, ask questions, and advocate for yourself.
- Don't let a number define your capacity. Whether it's having kids in your 50s or starting a new career in your 70s, the calendar is just a suggestion.
The reality is that Joan Lunden at 75 is busier than most people half her age. She’s proved that you can survive the cutthroat world of network TV, a brutal cancer diagnosis, and the chaos of seven children, all while keeping your sense of humor intact.
If you want to keep up with her latest health advocacy or grab her new book when it drops this spring, your best bet is to check out her official site or follow her social feeds. She’s still the same person who used to wake us up every morning—just with a lot more stories to tell.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye out for her memoir JOAN: Life Beyond the Script launching in March 2026. If you are dealing with caregiving or aging transitions, her previous book Why Did I Come into This Room? is a practical, hilarious resource that handles the "unmentionable" parts of getting older with a lot of grace.