
Judy Woodruff at PBS NewsHour
Judy Woodruff has made a name for herself over the years as a key figure at PBS NewsHour, one of the most esteemed public affairs programs in the U.S. She held the roles of anchor and managing editor until December 2022, guiding the coverage of significant political events, elections, and global issues. Her leadership played a crucial role in establishing the program’s reputation for thorough, unbiased journalism. Even after stepping away from the anchor desk, she continues to be a prominent voice in journalism and public broadcasting.
Judy Woodruff Age
So, how old is Judy? As of 2026, she’s 79 years old. Born on November 20, 1946, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Judy celebrates her birthday every year on that same date.
Judy Woodruff Education
Judy graduated from the Academy of Richmond County, a high school located in Augusta. She also earned her B.A. from Duke University. Fun fact: in 1963, she was crowned Young Miss Augusta in a beauty pageant!
Judy Woodruff Nationality
Judy proudly holds American nationality and citizenship. Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she has deep roots in the United States and identifies with her white heritage.
Judy Woodruff Height | Measurements
Judy stands at about 5 feet 4 inches tall (around 1.60 m), which is pretty average for a woman. However, she hasn’t shared any other details about her body measurements publicly.
Judy Woodruff Family | Parents
Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Judy was nurtured by her loving parents, Anna Lee Woodruff and William H. Woodruff. Her father served as a chief warrant officer in the Army. She also has a sister named Anita, and the two of them grew up as army brats. When Judy was just five, her family moved to Germany, and they later lived in Missouri and New Jersey before returning to Oklahoma.
Husband | Daughter | Children
Judy Woodruff is happily married to her wonderful husband, Al Hunt, who is a columnist and a retired reporter. Their love story began in Plains, Georgia, where they first crossed paths during a softball game involving correspondents and staff from the Carter presidential campaign. They exchanged vows on April 5, 1980, at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Together, they are proud parents of three children: A daughter, Lauren, born in 1989, Jeffrey, born in 1981, and Benjamin, born in 1986. Notably, Lauren was adopted from Korea when she was just four months old.
Judy Woodruff PBS
Judy Woodruff is a highly respected American broadcast journalist with a remarkable career that spans over fifty years. She has covered a wide range of stories, from local happenings to significant national and international events, across network, cable, and public broadcasting platforms. Until the end of 2022, she served as the anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, where she became well-known for her thorough reporting on U.S. politics and global issues.
After graduating from Duke University in 1968, Woodruff began her journey in local television news in Atlanta. In 1976, she made a pivotal move to NBC News, taking on the role of White House correspondent for six years, during which she reported on major political events and various presidential administrations.
In 1982, Woodruff made the switch to PBS, continuing her White House coverage for The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour and contributing to other public affairs programs. She then joined CNN in 1993, where she co-anchored Inside Politics and CNN WorldView with Bernard Shaw, focusing on both domestic and international political stories. After leaving CNN in 2005, she returned to PBS in 2006.
Back at NewsHour, Woodruff cemented her reputation as one of the country’s leading political journalists. In 2013, she became co-anchor alongside Gwen Ifill, succeeding founding anchor Jim Lehrer. Together, they led the program’s journalism until Ifill’s passing in 2016, after which Woodruff took on the role of sole anchor and managing editor.
Throughout her extensive career, Woodruff has reported on every U.S. presidential election and political convention since 1976. She has interviewed numerous world leaders and moderated several U.S. presidential debates, earning her a reputation as one of the most trusted figures in American political journalism.
In May 2022, Woodruff announced her decision to step down as anchor of PBS NewsHour at the end of the year. Her final broadcast aired on December 30, 2022, marking the conclusion of an incredible chapter in her career.
Judy Woodruff Salary
Judy’s main source of income comes from her role as a reporter and managing editor at PBS NewsHour, where she earned an average annual salary of around $250,000.
Judy Woodruff’s Net Worth
Having dedicated many years to the journalism field, Judy has built up a significant amount of wealth throughout her career. As a result, her estimated net worth stands at about $8 million.