You see her every day at 1 PM ET. Fast-talking, sharp, and usually flanked by John Roberts on America Reports. But here’s the thing: Sandra Smith and family life isn't just some glossy press release. It’s actually a pretty wild mix of high-stakes Chicago trading, Division I athletics, and a long-distance marriage that survived years of airport terminal goodbyes.
Most people know her as the Fox News anchor who handles the "big board" like a pro. That's because she didn't start in a newsroom. She started in the "pit."
Growing Up in a House of Six
Sandra Smith wasn't an only child. Far from it. She was the youngest of six children—four sisters and one brother—growing up in Wheaton, Illinois. If you've ever lived in a house with five older siblings, you know you don't get a word in edgewise unless you're quick.
Her father was a floor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. This is crucial. While other kids were playing with blocks, Sandra was basically learning the language of the markets. She's often mentioned how she stayed by her dad’s side, absorbing the chaos of the financial world. It’s why she looks so comfortable when the Dow is dropping 500 points in real-time. It’s in her DNA.
The LSU Leap
High school at Wheaton Warrenville South was all about running. She was a cross-country captain. Then, she did something kinda gutsy. She started at Illinois State University but realized it wasn't the right fit. She used a national student exchange program to check out Louisiana State University (LSU).
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One semester in Baton Rouge was all it took. She called her parents and told them she was never coming home. At LSU, she became a Division I athlete, running the 3,000-meter steeplechase. For those who don't know, that's the race where you have to jump over hurdles and into water pits. It’s grueling. She actually holds one of the top times in school history (11:57.98).
Who Is John Connelly?
The romantic side of Sandra Smith and family sounds like a movie script from the early 2000s. She met her husband, John Connelly, while she was working as a trader at Terra Nova Institutional in Chicago. She was the only woman on an all-male trading desk.
John was a business commentator and trader himself. The story goes that he was immediately struck by her, but their career paths started pulling them in different directions almost immediately.
- The Long Distance Grind: When Bloomberg Television hired Sandra to move to New York, John stayed in Chicago.
- The Friday Night Flight: For years, they did the long-distance thing. Every Friday night, one of them was on a plane.
- The Marriage: They finally tied the knot in May 2010.
- Still Distant? Even after the wedding, they lived in different cities for a while due to their intense careers.
Honestly, it’s a miracle they made it work, but it speaks to how much they prioritize their connection over convenience.
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Life in Westchester
Today, the family is much more settled. They live in Westchester County, New York. If you follow Sandra on social media, you’ll see glimpses of their life that aren't nearly as formal as her on-air persona.
They have two kids: a daughter named Cora and a son named John Jr. (Cora was born in 2013, and John arrived in 2015). They also have a very famous—at least in the Fox News circle—dog named Cora. Wait, no, the dog is Retta! (Fun fact: She’s a German Shorthaired Pointer).
Sandra is a self-proclaimed "huge runner" still. She doesn't just talk about health; she’s usually hitting the pavement or the treadmill before her 1 PM broadcast. She’s also a big fan of Patagonia luggage—apparently, John introduced her to it because he was a sailboat racer and needed gear that could survive a gale.
What People Get Wrong About Her Career
People think she’s just a "teleprompter reader." That couldn't be further from the truth. Sandra Smith’s background is in institutional sales and trading. Before Bloomberg or Fox, she was at Aegis Capital and Hermitage Capital. She was executing U.S. equities and options orders.
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This financial literacy is what made her the perfect choice to moderate the first-ever all-female presidential debate duo alongside Trish Regan back in 2015. It wasn't about "looking the part"; it was about understanding the policy.
Family Traditions and Heritage
The Connelly household is big on heritage. John is Norwegian, and they celebrate a lot of those traditions. Sandra has mentioned wanting to take the whole crew to Scandinavia—Denmark, Finland, the whole nine yards.
She’s also incredibly close to her mother. She once took her mom on a "trip of a lifetime" to Rome and Capri. They did the Blue Grotto and Sorrento. It’s those moments that seem to ground her when the news cycle gets particularly toxic.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to follow the "Sandra Smith" blueprint for a balanced life, here are a few things she actually does:
- Elevate Your Legs: Sandra swears by this. When she’s exhausted after a long flight or a three-hour broadcast, she puts her feet up to get the blood flowing.
- The "No-Makeup" Secret: When she’s not on camera, she keeps it simple. She uses IT Cosmetics CC Cream with SPF. It’s her go-to for that "I'm a busy mom but still look human" vibe.
- Pack Like a Pro: She keeps a carry-on "survival kit" that never changes: salted almonds, hand sanitizer, a spare pair of earrings (in case she loses her luggage), and a notebook.
- Prioritize Movement: No matter where she is in the world, she finds a place to run. Even if it's just 20 minutes on a hotel treadmill, she considers it non-negotiable for her mental health.
Sandra Smith and family represent a specific kind of modern success: the ability to be a "shark" in the professional world while staying fiercely protective of a private, grounded home life. She doesn't share everything, and in 2026, that’s probably the smartest career move she could make.
Next Steps for Readers:
Check out Sandra’s daily "America Reports" segments to see her financial expertise in action. If you’re interested in her fitness routine, she occasionally shares her running milestones and Westchester trail recommendations on her official Instagram.