Who Is Jessica Savitch? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Jessica Savitch was born on February 1, 1947, in Wilmington, Delaware. She was a trailblazing television news reporter and anchor known for her captivating on-screen presence and groundbreaking work in journalism. Savitch made significant contributions to the field, becoming one of the first women to report news on national television. Her innovative storytelling and commitment to her craft set the stage for future generations of female journalists. Tragically, her life was cut short in 1983, but her legacy continues to inspire.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1947 |
| Age | 36 Years |
| Birth Place | Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 23 October, 1983 |
| Died Place | New Hope, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Popularity
Jessica Savitch's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Jessica Savitch's height and weight are less documented, she was known for maintaining a polished appearance that complemented her on-screen persona. Her figure was considered representative of the standards of her time, emphasizing professionalism and poise.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Jessica Savitch's personal life was filled with complexity, including a marriage to politician and broadcaster, Brooks Jackson. Their relationship ultimately ended in divorce. Throughout her career, Savitch had other significant relationships, including a notable romance with news producer Richard Cohen. Even though details about her relationships were often kept private, her connections with powerful men in the industry contributed to the discussions about her career and personal life.
She was the eldest daughter of Florence (née Goldberger), a navy nurse, and David “Buddy” Savitch, who ran a clothing store. Her father was of Slavic and Jewish heritage and her maternal grandfather was of German and Russian Jewish heritage. Her maternal grandmother was of Italian American heritage and she was also Catholic.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing in 1983, Jessica Savitch's estimated net worth was around $1 million. While this figure may seem modest by today's standards, it reflected her successful career in journalism during a time when women were still breaking into the news industry. Adjusting for inflation, Savitch's earnings would be significantly higher in today’s economy.
In 1972, Savitch joined KYW-TV, then the NBC affiliate (now CBS O&O) in Philadelphia, as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor under a five-year contract. Unlike the Houston station, this station was unionized, so Savitch was not permitted to do work other than on-camera newsreading and reporting.
At the time KYW hired Savitch, it was under pressure from the Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) to place more women in then-non-traditional roles on the local news or else face a possible legal challenge to its broadcast license.
When she was initially unable to obtain a weeknight anchor shift, Savitch attempted to break her KYW contract and take a job offered by CBS in New York. KYW refused to release her from her contract but agreed to raise her salary and (partly to satisfy NOW) make her a weeknight anchor.
Savitch soon began to anchor noon news broadcasts as well, and eventually became part of a popular team of three anchors with Mort Crim and Vince Leonard on the 11:00pm news. Philadelphia viewers responded enthusiastically to her on-camera presence, which was perceived as "magical" and triggering an "almost emotional bond" with the audience.
Career, Business, and Investments
Jessica Savitch began her television career in local news stations before making her way to national broadcasts. She gained recognition as the anchor of PBS's "The Weekend News" and later joined NBC as an anchor for "Saturday Night News." Her career was marked by a high level of professionalism and an unmatched dedication to her work. Savitch was instrumental in presenting news stories with depth and clarity, earning the respect of audiences and peers alike.
While she focused primarily on her journalism career, there is no public record of her pursuing any significant business ventures or investments outside of her media work.
Buddy Savitch suffered from nephritis, an incurable kidney disease. He died on May 11, 1959, when he was 33 and Jessica was 12. Her family then moved from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, to Margate City, New Jersey.
While attending Atlantic City High School, Savitch got a job co-hosting a rock show for teenagers on radio station WOND in Pleasantville; she soon became a newsreader and disc jockey for WOND as well. She was the first female disc jockey in the Pleasantville area.
Social Network
Jessica Savitch was not active on social media during her life, as platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram did not exist in the early 1980s. However, her influence remains intact in the journalism field, with numerous articles, documentaries, and retrospectives celebrating her life. In contemporary discussions about female pioneers in broadcasting, Savitch is frequently acknowledged as a key figure.
Savitch's family and a group of her friends later sued the New York Post (whose insurance covered the leased car Fischbein was driving), Fischbein's estate, Chez Odette, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for damages in Savitch's death.
The suit was settled, in 1988, for US$8million (equivalent to $million in ), most of which was paid by the Post. Some of the money was used to establish scholarships for women studying for careers in broadcasting or journalism at Ithaca College and other institutions.
Education
Savitch attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied English literature and graduated with a degree. Her academic background contributed to her exceptional writing and reporting skills, which characterized her work in news broadcasting. The knowledge she acquired during her time at university shaped her perspectives on storytelling and journalism.
Following her graduation from high school, Savitch attended Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, as a communications major. She was an announcer for the college’s television station, WICB, and worked in radio at nearby Rochester's WBBF (now WROC-AM).
There, she did voice-over commercial work, and became a popular top 40 disc jockey known as "Honeybee". She graduated from Ithaca College in 1968, but remained connected to the college, returning periodically to teach a mini-course on television news.
