Ginger Zee

Ginger Zee, born Ginger Renée Zuidgeest on January 13, 1981, in Orange, California, developed an early passion for meteorology after witnessing a waterspout on Lake Michigan at the age of eight. Her family relocated to Michigan before her first birthday. She pursued her interest academically, graduating from Rockford High School in Rockford, Michigan, in 1999. Subsequently, she attended Valparaiso University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology, alongside a dual major in mathematics and Spanish. Her career ambition at graduation was to become a meteorologist on “The Today Show” by age 30.

Zee’s career began with roles at various media outlets including WEYI-TV in Flint, Michigan; WYIN-TV in Merrillville, Indiana; WLAV-FM and WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan; WBMA-LD ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama, where she interned under James Spann; and WMAQ in Chicago, Illinois. During her tenure at WMAQ from 2006 to 2011, she achieved her early career goal by filling in as a guest meteorologist on the weekend edition of “The Today Show.” She is also an AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist.

Her national prominence increased when she joined “Good Morning America Weekend” on November 12, 2011. ABC News officially announced her appointment as Chief Meteorologist for “Good Morning America” and weather editor for ABC News on December 2, 2013, succeeding Sam Champion. Beyond her meteorological duties, Zee has appeared on other ABC programs such as “Nightline” and “ABC World News Tonight.” In 2016, she competed on the 22nd season of “Dancing with the Stars,” finishing in third place.