If you are a fan of CBS News, you might have wondered if two of its prominent female anchors, Margaret Brennan and Norah O’Donnell, are related. They share a common surname, a similar appearance, and a passion for journalism. But are they really family?
The short answer is **no**. Margaret Brennan and Norah O’Donnell are not related by blood or marriage. They are simply colleagues and friends who happen to have the same Irish ancestry.
Who is Margaret Brennan?
Margaret Brennan is the current moderator of Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan on CBS News, and the network’s chief foreign affairs correspondent. She was born on March 26, 1980, in Stamford, Connecticut, to Edward Brennan and Jane Brennan, an elementary school art and art history teacher. She is of Irish descent, with roots in Derry, Belfast, and Donegal. She graduated with honors from the University of Virginia in 2002 with a degree in foreign affairs and Middle Eastern studies. She also studied abroad at Yarmouk University in Jordan on a Fulbright-Hays Grant.
Brennan began her career as a producer for CNBC, working with financial journalist Louis Rukeyser. She later became a CNBC correspondent, covering the financial crisis and consumer issues. She joined Bloomberg Television in 2009 as an anchor and reporter, focusing on global business and politics. She interviewed influential figures such as former Walmart CEO Lee Scott, Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen, and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
She moved to CBS News in 2012 as a White House correspondent, covering the Obama administration’s foreign policy. She also reported on major international stories such as the Iran nuclear deal, the Syrian civil war, and the Russian annexation of Crimea. She became the moderator of Face the Nation in 2018, succeeding John Dickerson. She is known for her sharp questioning and insightful analysis of domestic and global issues. She has interviewed leaders such as President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Brennan is married to Yado Yakub, a judge advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps. They have two sons together.
Who is Norah O’Donnell?
Norah O’Donnell is the current anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News, a correspondent for 60 Minutes, and a host of Person to Person. She was born on January 23, 1974, in Washington, D.C., to Francis Lawrence O’Donnell, a medical doctor and U.S. Army officer, and Noreen Bernadette O’Kane. She is also of Irish descent, with roots in Derry, Belfast, and Donegal. She spent part of her childhood in Seoul, South Korea, where her father was stationed. She graduated from Georgetown University in 1995 with a degree in philosophy and in 2003 with a master’s degree in liberal studies.
O’Donnell started her career as a staff writer for Roll Call, covering Congress. She joined NBC News in 1999 as a Washington correspondent for MSNBC. She later became a White House correspondent for NBC News, covering the Bush and Obama administrations. She also contributed to various NBC News programs such as NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, Dateline NBC, and Weekend Today. She was a regular pundit for The Chris Matthews Show and a fill-in host for Hardball with Chris Matthews.
She switched to CBS News in 2011 as chief White House correspondent. She also became a co-anchor of CBS This Morning in 2012, alongside Charlie Rose and Gayle King. She reported on major stories such as the Sandy Hook shooting, the Boston Marathon bombing, the 2016 presidential election, and the #MeToo movement. She joined 60 Minutes as a contributing correspondent in 2017, winning an Emmy for her story on sexual abuse at the U.S. Air Force Academy. She became the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News in 2019, replacing Jeff Glor. She is the third woman to solo anchor a network evening newscast after Katie Couric and Diane Sawyer.
O’Donnell is married to Geoff Tracy, a restaurateur and cookbook author. They have three children together.
Conclusion
Margaret Brennan and Norah O’Donnell are two accomplished journalists who work for CBS News. They share some similarities such as their Irish heritage, their education at Georgetown University, their experience at NBC News, and their roles as moderators of Face the Nation. However, they are not related by blood or marriage. They are simply colleagues and friends who respect each other’s work.
