The first promotional photo Deborah Roberts and David Muir took together in 2023 had a very serious look about it. Roberts had just been named co-anchor of the ABC News program 20/20, and the photo was meant to convey the nature of the stories the news magazine covers. But internet observers couldn’t help but notice it was also very stylish. Commenters loved what Roberts was wearing: a gold silk Rachel Roy trench coat.
“So old, but still good,” recalls Roberts, who purchased the coat to support Roy. “I really liked it,” Roberts said, but “I probably wore it one time and just kept it in the closet. And who knew?”
That attention-grabbing moment was just the latest example of how Deborah Roberts and her unique brand of intelligence, compassion, and style have been informing her work at ABC News since 1995. (For further proof of her appreciation of fashion, check out Roberts’ Instagram).
Trusting Her Gut and Saying No to a Big Opportunity
Deborah Roberts studied journalism at the University of Georgia. She worked as a reporter at stations in Columbus, Knoxville, and Orlando before being tapped to join NBC News. It was there she met her future husband, Al Roker. In 1995, she jumped to ABC News and eventually began filling in as the newsreader on Good Morning America. Her bosses were impressed with her talent and offered Roberts the role in 1998. To the surprise of some, she made the difficult decision to turn them down.
“At that point, Al had a solid gig on the Today show,” said Roberts, which meant he was leaving very early each morning. She had gone through a few rounds of IVF and was pregnant with her first child, daughter Leila.
“I started thinking about the fact that both of us would be leaving the house at four in the morning,” said Roberts. “It was very, very hard for me. And I guess I just went with my gut and said, ‘I gotta stay home with my baby a little bit’.”
She recalls finding support in a slightly unexpected place: legendary newswoman Barbara Walters. “She could not have been more honest and truthful about the fact that she wished she had spent a little more time on her personal life. And she said to me, ‘Go and do what you need to do. Take the time. Come on back when you’re ready.’ And I was floored.”
Climbing The Ladder and Calling The Shots
Deborah Roberts was aware that making that decision would mean re-doubling her efforts when she did return to her job as a correspondent for 20/20. She recalls, “I had to kind of work my way back, and I had to prove myself and take some assignments that were far flung, just to make it very clear that I was just as committed as I had been before I left.”
She worked diligently, winning an Emmy and a Peabody along the way. In 2023, at age 63, she was named co-anchor of ABC News: 20/20.
“To be handed the torch, to carry on the legacy of Barbara is, it’s beyond a dream come true,” said Roberts.
These days, Roberts is more comfortable using her power to not only do excellent work, but also prioritize what is important to her.
“I am willing now to take charge a little bit more of my life and say no to certain things or, to move things around so that I can try to accommodate the things that matter most,” Roberts said.
Celebrating Sisters and Family
Something that matters very much for Roberts these days is her sisters. In her new book, “Sisters Loved and Treasured,” she explores not only her own relationships with her six sisters growing up together in Perry, Georgia, but also the universal nature of the bond.
“Nobody else shares that foundation with you, that childhood, those memories, that history, those little moments in life. Not even your best friend can claim that. And that’s what I wanted to really reveal with this book. The bond is complicated. That it is not perfect, but there is a bond there that is worth exploring,” explained Roberts.
The book’s themes hit especially close to home recently. When one of her sisters was undergoing chemo, Roberts recalled, “I actually pulled out of an assignment so I could fly down to Georgia and just be with her for a couple of days.”
Passing Along Lessons Learned
These days, Deborah Roberts and Al Roker are empty nesters, and they’re preparing for daughter Leila’s wedding in the spring. Roberts recently reflected on how her own professional life and choices have impacted her daughter.
“To have her say, ‘you know, mom, I learned from you that I need to do this, or I can handle that,'” Roberts said. “Wow. That’s high praise. She’s actually starting to think that my life and my career mattered in some way.”
Her son Nick, who is in college, is also a cheerleader of mom’s career. Roberts recalled when the two were recently chatting about her new book, “Sisters Loved and Treasured.” She had expressed some nervousness about it, and he told her, “It’s gonna be a great success,” she said. “It’s really sweet. He’s very supportive.”
Mother Of The Bride
The planning for Leila’s wedding is on track. The bride-to-be lives in Paris, and Roberts is dealing with the time difference. She is often greeted first thing in the morning with emails from her daughter about fittings and guest lists. It’s “non-stop” right now, but Deborah is thrilled nonetheless.
“She’s found her dress and she’s happy, then I can be happy. I’ll worry about the other stuff later,” she said.
Speaking of clothes, we asked Roberts if she would prefer to hold onto her now-famous Rachel Roy trench coat or perhaps one day have it end up in the Smithsonian. It’s where many important TV, film, and pop culture artifacts like Dorothy’s ruby red slippers are on display. Her answer:
“Ooh, the Smithsonian.”
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