If you’ve ever watched Good Morning America and thought Robin Roberts looks like she could hold her own on a basketball court, you’re 100% right. She can. Honestly, there’s a reason she towers over some of her guests while standing toe-to-toe with literal NBA stars.
Robin Roberts is 5 feet 10 inches tall.
That’s about 178 centimeters for those of you keeping track outside the States. In the world of morning television, where many anchors are famously "TV tall" (read: shorter than they look on screen), Robin is the real deal. But her height isn’t just a fun trivia fact for your next dinner party. It was the foundation of a career that started long before she ever sat behind a news desk.
The Basketball Star Behind the Anchor Desk
Before she was waking up America, Robin was a powerhouse forward. We’re talking about a woman who is literally in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. You don't get there just by being tall, but at 5'10", she had the perfect build for the game during her time at Southeastern Louisiana University.
She wasn't just a benchwarmer. Far from it.
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- She scored 1,446 career points.
- She grabbed 1,034 career rebounds.
- She is one of only four players in the school's history to break the 1,000 mark in both categories.
Basically, she was a walking double-double. When you see her today on GMA, that athlete’s posture is still there. She carries herself with a specific kind of physical confidence that comes from years of battling in the paint. It’s kinda cool to think that the person telling you the news used to be the person people were terrified to guard.
How Robin Roberts Height Compares to the GMA Team
Television is a game of angles, but you can't hide a height difference this obvious.
George Stephanopoulos stands at about 5'5". When they stand side-by-side, the 5-inch difference is clear, though they usually balance it out with clever seating or camera framing. Then you have Michael Strahan. Michael is a massive human being, a former NFL defensive end standing at 6'5". Even next to a giant like Strahan, Robin doesn't look "small." She holds her own.
Most people don't realize that the average American woman is about 5'4". Robin has a good six inches on the average person. This gives her a "commanding presence" that producers love. It makes her look authoritative, yet she has this warmth that keeps her from being intimidating.
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Why the height rumors started
There’s always a bit of chatter about celebrity heights. Some fans swear she looks 6 feet tall. Others think she’s shorter because she often wears flats or kitten heels on set.
The truth is that Robin’s height became a major talking point during her health battles. When she was fighting MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) and breast cancer, her weight dropped significantly. During her recovery from a bone marrow transplant in 2012, she was at her most fragile. Seeing such a naturally tall, athletic woman look gaunt was a wake-up call for many viewers about the severity of her illness.
She once mentioned in an interview with WebMD that during her treatment, her 5'10" frame dropped to just 115 pounds. That is incredibly thin for someone of her stature. Thankfully, she’s back to her healthy, athletic self now.
Does height actually matter in journalism?
In a literal sense? No. Your height doesn't change how you interview a world leader or report on a breaking story.
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But in the "vibes" department? Sorta.
Broadcast journalism is a visual medium. Tall anchors often find it easier to maintain "eye-to-eye" contact with athletes and politicians, who also tend to be taller than average. When Robin interviewed LeBron James or President Barack Obama (who is 6'1"), she wasn't looking way up at them. It creates a subconscious feeling of equality on screen.
Fast Facts: Robin Roberts at a Glance
If you just want the quick numbers without the fluff, here’s the breakdown:
- Actual Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm).
- College Sport: Basketball (Power Forward).
- Hometown: Pass Christian, Mississippi.
- Jersey Status: Retired at Southeastern Louisiana University (#21).
- Shoe Size: Usually reported as a women's 10 or 11, fitting for her height.
Living the "Tall Girl" Life
Robin has embraced her height throughout her life. Whether it was leading her team to victory in the early 80s or standing tall as a survivor and advocate today, she uses her physical presence to lift others up.
If you're ever lucky enough to meet her in person, don't be surprised if you have to tilt your head back a little. She’s every bit of that 5'10" and then some, especially when you factor in her energy and that famous smile.
What you can do next:
If you’re inspired by Robin’s journey from the court to the anchor desk, check out her book Everybody’s Got Something. It dives deep into how she used her "athlete mentality" to get through her toughest health crises. Also, if you haven't lately, look up some of her old basketball highlights—her jumper was actually pretty lethal.