Cecilia Marcellina Vega (born January 7, 1977) is an American journalist and news correspondent for 60 Minutes. She previously worked at ABC News holding multiple roles including, Chief White House Correspondent, Saturday news anchor for ABC World News Tonight & hosting Good Morning America.[1][2]

Cecilia Vega
Born (1977-01-07) January 7, 1977 (age 47)
Alma materAmerican University
Occupation
Years active1999–present

Education

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In 1995, Ms. Vega graduated at Salesian High School in Richmond, California.[3] In 1999, Cecilia graduated from the American University School of Communication in Washington, D.C.[4]

Career

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Local news

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In 1999, Vega began reporting for the San Francisco Chronicle, covering then-Mayor Gavin Newsom's administration. Her reporting received accolades from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the East Bay Press Club, and the Hearst Corporation.[5]

For three years, Vega reported for the ABC network affiliate station KGO-TV in San Francisco, covering numerous stories.[6] In 2010, Vega won a Northern California Emmy Award for the Best Daytime Newscast in a Large Market.[7]

ABC News

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Vega joined ABC News in 2011 as a Los Angeles-based correspondent.[8] In 2012, Vega covered the elections and second inauguration of President Barack Obama.[9] She also covered the 2016 presidential election and the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. During her time as a national correspondent, Vega covered numerous stories, including the Fukushima power plant disaster, the appointment of Pope Francis, the 2014 Ebola epidemic in the United States, the Sony computer hacking, the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby, and the 2016 Summer Olympics.[6]

On March 2, 2015, she became the anchor for the Saturday edition of World News Tonight, with Tom Llamas anchoring the Sunday edition.[10] In January 2017, Llamas was named the full-time weekend anchor of World News Tonight, while Vega was moved to become the senior White House Correspondent.[11]

On October 1, 2018, during a press conference about the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, U.S. President Donald Trump called on her to ask him questions. He then joked at Vega's surprised reaction, stating: "I know you're not thinking. You never do." Vega brushed aside the remark, and asked Trump about the FBI investigation into then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Trump declined to answer, stating the question was unrelated to the trade deal. Vega later tweeted: "A news conference means you get to ask whatever question you want to ask. #FirstAmendment."[12]

In January 2021, Vega was named the chief White House Correspondent for ABC News, succeeding Jonathan Karl.[13]

60 Minutes

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Cecilia Vega has been a correspondent on the Sunday program 60 Minutes since 2023.[14][15] Cecilia's first story was about sperm whales & was presented on Sunday, May 14th, 2023.

Personal life

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She lives in Washington, D.C., with her dog Jalisco, whom she enjoys taking to the dog park often.[16] She has been married to Ricardo Jimenez since August 17, 2008.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Scott, Van (March 2, 2015). "ABC News Announces Cecilia Vega & Tom Llamas as "World News Tonight" Weekend Anchors". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  2. ^ ABC's Cecilia Vega shares journey to being 1st Latina named chief White House correspondent of English network, ABC7 News, March 9th, 2021, By Julian Glover
  3. ^ "Media Mania". Salesian Magazine. Winter 2015. p. 2 – via issuu.
  4. ^ Mularz, Nicole; Olson, Megan (April 9, 2015). "SOC Alumna Reports Breaking News for ABC". American University. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  5. ^ Welprin, Alex (September 19, 2011). "Cecilia Vega Named ABC News Correspondent". AdWeek. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Cecilia Vega ABC News Official Biography". ABC News. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  7. ^ "39th Annual Northern California Area EMMY Awards 2009–2010" (PDF) (Press release). Northern California Emmy Awards. May 17, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  8. ^ Knox, Merrill (September 19, 2011). "KGO's Cecilia Vega Named ABC News Correspondent". AdWeek. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  9. ^ "Presidential Election 2012 TV Coverage — Network-By-Network Plans". Deadline.com. November 5, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  10. ^ Chariton, Jordan (March 2, 2015). "ABC News Names Cecilia Vega and Tom Llamas 'World News Tonight' Weekend Anchors". TheWrap. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  11. ^ de Moreas, Lisa (January 30, 2017). "Tom Llamas Named Anchor Of ABC's 'World News Tonight' Weekend Editions". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 30, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  12. ^ Hafner, Josh (October 1, 2018). "Trump insults female reporter: 'You're not thinking. You never do'". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  13. ^ Johnson, Ted (January 19, 2021). "ABC News Sets New D.C. Assignments: Cecilia Vega Named Chief White House Correspondent; Jon Karl To Launch ABC News Live Show". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  14. ^ "Emmy-winning journalist Cecilia Vega joins 60 Minutes". CBS News. January 19, 2023. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  15. ^ Is Cecilia Vega TV's Next Diane Sawyer?, Town & Country, September 15th 2023, By Sridhar Pappu
  16. ^ Carlson, Adam (March 18, 2021). "ABC News' Cecilia Vega on Breaking Barriers as a Latina, Pressing the White House — and Her Ideal Day Off". People.