Ginger Zee Wikipedia
Ginger Zee is a prominent American meteorologist, widely known for her role as the chief meteorologist at ABC News in New York. With more than ten years of experience under her belt at ABC News, she brings the latest weather updates to viewers on “Good Morning America” and various other ABC News broadcasts and digital platforms. Beyond her weather reporting duties, she also hosts a unique digital series for ABC News called “Food Forecast.” Prior to joining ABC News, Ginger spent five years working as a meteorologist and reporter at WMAQ NBC in Chicago, Illinois.
Ginger Zee Career
After finishing her college education, Ginger Zee set out to carve her path in broadcasting, starting at various local TV and radio stations across the U.S. Her journey kicked off at WEYI-TV in Clio, Michigan, and WYIN-TV in Merrillville, Indiana, before she made her way to WLAV-FM and WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During those formative years, she had the incredible opportunity to intern with the renowned meteorologist James Spann at WBMA-LD ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama. As her skills in weather reporting blossomed, she eventually landed a spot at WMAQ, NBC’s affiliate in Chicago, Illinois.
While at WMAQ from 2006 to 2011, Zee realized a dream she had nurtured since high school: being a guest meteorologist on the weekend edition of Today. This was a significant milestone for her! She also earned the title of AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, which added even more weight to her credentials.
Zee truly made a name for herself when she joined Good Morning America Weekend on November 12, 2011. Her charm and expertise quickly caught the attention of viewers, leading to appearances on several major ABC News programs, including Nightline and ABC World News Tonight.
On December 2, 2013, ABC News elevated Zee to the role of Chief Meteorologist for Good Morning America and Weather Editor for ABC News, taking over from Sam Champion after he moved to The Weather Channel.
But Ginger’s talents don’t stop at journalism; she’s also dabbled in entertainment and reality TV. In 2015, she took part in Celebrity Jeopardy! alongside Bellamy Young and Josh Gad. While Young took home the win, Zee’s appearance highlighted her vibrant personality beyond just weather forecasts.
In 2016, she joined Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars, teaming up with professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy. The duo wowed audiences throughout the competition, ultimately finishing in third place, just behind runner-up Paige VanZant and winner Nyle DiMarco.
High School Ginger Zee
Before she became one of the most familiar faces in meteorology, Ginger Zee discovered her love for weather as a teenager. She went to high school in Michigan, where her interest in storms and climate science really took off after experiencing some intense weather events, especially those waterspouts over Lake Michigan. During those formative years, she dreamed of being a meteorologist on the Today show, a dream she eventually fulfilled when she started as a guest weather anchor early in her career. Ginger went on to study meteorology at Valparaiso University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree.
Education
Ginger attended Rockford High School in Rockford, Michigan. She then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University, where she also had the opportunity to teach as an adjunct professor from 2008 to 2011. Additionally, she holds a CBM Seal for Meteorology and is fluent in Spanish.
How old is Ginger Zee
As of 2026, Ginger Zee is 45 years old. She was born Ginger Renee Colonomos on January 13, 1981, in Orange, California. Every year, she celebrates her birthday on January 13th.
Ginger Zee Nationality | Ethnicity
Ginger is of Dutch descent. Born and raised in Orange, California, she proudly holds American nationality and citizenship by birth.
Height
Ginger is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall (1.69 m) and weighs around 128 lbs (58 kg).
Ginger Zee Parents
Coming from a Dutch family, Ginger is the daughter of Robert Zuidgeest and Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft Hemleb. She also has a stepfather named Carl Craft and two half-sisters, Adrianna and Elaina Craft. Her paternal grandparents, Cornelis “Adrian” or “Arie” Zuidgeest and Hillegonda “Hilda” Zuidgeest, immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands.
Is Ginger Zee Still Married?
Yes, Ginger Zee is happily married to Ben Aaron, who is also a well-known television personality and journalist. They tied the knot back in 2014 and have become one of the most recognized couples in the media world. Together, they are proud parents of two sons, Adrian and Miles. Despite some ongoing rumors swirling around their relationship online, there hasn’t been any credible news suggesting they’re separating or getting a divorce.
Is Ginger Zee Pregnant?
No, Ginger Zee is not pregnant at the moment. In recent years, there have been some rumors floating around online suggesting that the ABC News meteorologist was expecting a third child, but she has publicly shot down those speculations. In June 2025, she took to social media to address the false claims, calling out the fake stories about her being pregnant and leaving her role at Good Morning America. Ginger and her husband Ben Aaron are already busy parenting their two sons:
Adrian Benjamin Aaron, born in 2015
Miles Macklin Aaron, born in 2018
Ginger Zee Book
In addition to her broadcasting career, Ginger Zee is also an accomplished author. She has penned several books that range from memoirs to children’s literature. Some of her most notable works include:
Natural Disaster — a heartfelt memoir where she opens up about her career, her struggles with mental health, and her journey in television journalism.
A Little Closer to Home — a follow-up memoir that dives into themes of family, self-discovery, and the challenge of balancing a career with motherhood.
Chasing Helicity — a children’s book that focuses on science and is inspired by her love for weather.
Ginger Zee Salary
As the chief meteorologist at ABC News, she brings home an estimated annual salary that falls between $215,000 and $245,000.
Ginger Zee Net Worth
Ginger is a well-known American meteorologist, weather anchor, reporter, and forecaster, boasting an estimated net worth of around $1 million.
ABC News
Ginger Zee is currently the chief meteorologist at ABC News in New York, where she’s been making waves for over a decade. Her primary role involves delivering the nation’s weather updates on “Good Morning America” and across various ABC News platforms. But that’s not all—she also hosts an original digital series called “Food Forecast.” Ginger has covered a wide range of weather events, from the intense conditions at the Jersey Shore during Hurricane Sandy to the aftermath of tornadoes in Moore and El Reno, Oklahoma, as well as the devastating floods and wildfires in Colorado.
In 2013, she tackled extreme weather phenomena, including the Boston snowstorm and the record-breaking heat in Death Valley. Three years later, she reported on Hurricane Matthew as it made its way up the East Coast. Ginger’s passion for adventure goes beyond just chasing storms; she’s taken her love for exploration to new heights—literally! She’s gone paragliding in Nepal, flown a drone into a volcano in Iceland, paraglided from the Himalayas to the Andes, explored the world’s largest cave in Vietnam, dove with sharks in the Bahamas, and even rappelled down the 27-story exterior of the Wit Hotel in Chicago. Plus, she’s tried her hand at skydiving, iceboat racing, and surfing live on GMA.
Before her time at ABC News, Ginger spent five years as a meteorologist at WMAQ-Channel 5 NBC in Chicago, where she also took on various roles for NBC and MSNBC News programs. Prior to that, she worked at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan, covering environmental issues, science, and the impact of weather across West Michigan. She also had a stint at WEYI NBC 25 in Flint, Michigan.
Ginger began her career at WLAV FM/WXMI in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With a passion for meteorology that dates back to her college days, she’s dedicated to inspiring young people to get excited about science. Ginger even lends her voice to the character “Dr. Breeze Skye” in a children’s program, further showcasing her commitment to education and the environment.