Sara Sidner Biography
Sara Sidner is an American television personality who serves as the co-anchor of CNN News Central, airing weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET from CNN’s New York City Bureau. She is also CNN’s senior national correspondent, recognized for her multiple awards and extensive reporting. Before her tenure at CNN, Sidner held anchor and reporter roles at local television stations in San Francisco, Dallas, Florida, and Missouri.
Sara Sidner Age
Sidner is 52 years old as of 2024. She was born on May 31, 1972, in Miami Lakes, Florida, United States.
Sara Sidner Height
She is 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall.
Sara Sidner Nationality
She is American.
Sara Sidner Education
Sidner graduated from Hialeah-Miami Lakes High School before attending the University of Florida, where she earned a B.S. in Telecommunication in 1995. During her time at UF, she was a member of the women’s volleyball team, which reached the Final Four in her senior year.
Sara Sidner Parents
Sidner, a native of Miami Lakes, Florida, was born to an African-American father and her British mother, Janice Sidner. Her father passed away when she was young. Sidner frequently discusses how her multicultural upbringing has profoundly shaped her perspective and career.
Sara Sidner Husband
Sidner is married to Jonathan McDonald, and the couple has been together for several years. They tied the knot in 2015 and they have one child, a daughter named Laila. Sidner frequently shares glimpses of their family life and her experiences as a mother through social media and her public appearances.
Sara Sidner CNN
Sidner is the co-anchor of CNN News Central, which airs weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET from CNN’s New York City Bureau. She is also CNN’s multiple award-winning senior national correspondent.
Sidner has been at the forefront of major news coverage, leading CNN’s reporting on the Minneapolis protests following George Floyd’s death and the trial of Derek Chauvin. Her extensive reporting on the Ferguson protests, sparked by the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager by a white police officer, highlighted her role in covering pivotal moments of racial tension and policing in America. Her work contributed to nationwide protests and discussions, including the formation of a state commission and a Presidential task force on policing.
As an international correspondent, Sidner has reported on a diverse array of issues, including terrorism, business, and cultural matters. She has covered stories from numerous countries, such as Libya, Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
In the Middle East, Sidner was part of the CNN team awarded a Peabody Award for its coverage of the Arab Spring. Her reporting from Libya during the fall of Tripoli garnered global recognition. In 2011, she received the Achievement of the Year Award from SKY WFTV Women in Film & Television in the UK for her coverage of the Libyan conflict.
During her time in India, Sidner led CNN’s coverage of South Asia from the New Delhi bureau. Notably, she covered the 2008 Mumbai attacks live, reporting on the 60-hour siege that claimed over 170 lives. Her South Asia coverage also included a documentary on Sri Lanka’s 25-year civil war, reporting in Afghanistan, and live updates on political unrest in Thailand and Bangladesh. Her stories also highlighted social and economic developments in India, culminating in her work on CNN International’s “Freedom Project.” Additionally, she covered the aftermath of earthquakes in Chile and Haiti.
Sidner has received two Asian Television Awards for her reports on child begging in Bangladesh and for the documentary “Operation Hope,” which followed the recovery of a child who had been brutalized. In 2013, she earned two Alliance for Women in Media Gracie Awards for her coverage of female infanticide in India and the 2012 Gaza-Israel conflict. Her reporting on the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the downed Flight 17, and the 2014 Gaza-Israel war further showcased her global reporting prowess.
Before joining CNN, Sidner was an anchor and reporter at local television stations in San Francisco, Dallas, Florida, and Missouri, where she earned multiple awards, including a regional Emmy Award, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and several Telly Awards. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida, which named her an Alumni of Distinction in 2011.
Sara Sidner Breast Cancer
Sidner has been open about her battle with breast cancer. She was diagnosed with the disease and has shared her journey publicly, including her treatment and recovery process. Her candid discussions have helped raise awareness and provided support to others facing similar challenges.
Sara Sidner Salary
Sidner’s salary at CNN ranges from $1 million to $2 million a year.
Sara Sidner Net Worth
Sidner’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 to $5 million.
