Who is Diana Williams?
Diana Williams is a retired American television journalist who served as a news anchor at WABC-TV in New York City for 29 years. Born on July 18, 1958, in Columbus, Ohio, she earned a degree in economics from Duke University. Diana co-anchored the 5 p.m. Eyewitness News and hosted the Sunday morning program “Eyewitness News Up Close with Diana Williams.” Throughout her career, she reported on significant events such as the September 11 attacks and the Pope’s U.S. visits, earning numerous awards for her work. She announced her retirement in 2019, bringing an end to her esteemed career in broadcast journalism.
Diana Williams’s age and birthday
Williams, born on December 1, 1958, in Columbus, Ohio, is a Sagittarius.
Diana Williams’s height and weight
She is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds (59 kg). Her natural hair is black, although she has dyed it blonde and brown on occasion, and she has black eyes.
Diana Williams educational background
Williams studied at Duke University, earning a degree in economics. With a strong passion for journalism, she began her career after college as an intern reporter at WTVD, a local news station in Durham, North Carolina.
Diana Williams’s dating life, spouse and children
Williams is married to Douglas Wayne Shanks, whom she met in the late 1970s or early 1980s and got engaged to on her 27th birthday. They married on December 1, 1985, and have three children: Laura, Nathaniel (Nat), and Amy. Nat, a former F-22 pilot in the U.S. Air Force, retired after a near fatal accident. The family has also faced challenges, as Douglas was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Diana Williams’s nationality, parents and siblings
Williams is an American journalist born in Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Diana Williams’s career and retirement
Williams had a distinguished career in journalism that spanned over four decades, marked by significant milestones and accomplishments. She began her career in 1979 as an intern reporter at WTVD in Durham, North Carolina, while still a senior at Duke University. From there, she went on to work as a reporter at WSOC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina, before becoming the weeknight anchor at WBTV. Diana further honed her skills in Boston, Massachusetts, where she worked at WNEV-TV (now WHDH) from 1987 to 1991.
In 1991, Diana joined WABC-TV in New York City as a reporter, quickly rising through the ranks to become a weekend anchor. Within a year, she was co-anchoring the 11 p.m. Eyewitness News newscast with Bill Beutel. Diana’s career at WABC-TV continued to flourish, and in 2003, she became part of the 5 p.m. Eyewitness News team, initially working with Roz Abrams and later with Sade Baderinwa. Throughout her career, she covered major international stories, including conflicts in Ireland and Israel, and traveled with Pope John Paul II. She earned several prestigious awards, including an Emmy Award for her special on immigration issues along the Mexican and Arizona border, and was recognized for her annual breast cancer specials.
Diana announced her retirement on September 12, 2019, after 29 years at WABC-TV, concluding her career with a heartfelt final newscast. Her decision to retire was influenced by personal challenges, including her husband’s cancer diagnosis and her son’s severe brain injury from a car accident. Since retiring, Diana has used social media to share her family’s journey, providing inspiration and hope to others through their stories of resilience and strength.
Diana Williams’s net worth and salary
Williams’ net worth is $1.5 million. As an ABC News anchor, she earned an average annual salary of $87,153, with a range between $52,661 and $108,353.
