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What Happened to Joan Lunden? Age, Lung Cancer, Net Worth

• Joan Lunden is an American TV host, journalist, and author
• She hosted the ABC’s TV show “Good Morning America” from 1980 to 1997
• She has written 14 books and is currently married to her second husband Jeff Konigsberg
• She is a breast cancer survivor and is active on Instagram with nearly 30,000 followers
• Her estimated net worth is over $25 million



Short Info

Date Of BirthSeptember 19, 1950
SpouseJeff Konigsberg, Michael A. Krauss
FactFox News Special Royal Wedding contributor. Covered Princess Diana's wedding in 1981.


Who is Joan Lunden?

Joan Elise Blunden was born as in Fair Oaks, California USA on 19 September 1950 – her zodiac sign is Virgo, and she holds American nationality. She’s a TV host, journalist and author, who’s perhaps known best for having hosted the ABC’s TV show “Good Morning America” between 1980 and 1997.

Early life and education

Joan was raised in Fair Oaks by her father Dr. Erle Murray Blunden who was a surgeon and pilot, but who died in a plane crash when Joan was 13, and her mother Gladyce Lorraine (nee Somervill) who was a housewife; because Joan hasn’t mentioned having any siblings, most of her fans believe her to be an only child.

She became interested in journalism at a quite an early age, mostly because she watched the news with her parents nearly every day. Joan became even more passionate about it while attending a local high school, and she wrote for the school’s newspaper, as well as practicing creative writing.

Upon matriculating in 1968, she enrolled at California State University, Sacramento, from which she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts in 1972. Joan then went on to study Spanish and anthropology at Universidad de Las Americas in Mexico City, and she also taught broadcast journalism as a visiting instructor at Montclair State College.

Career as a journalist

Joan launched her career in 1974, when hired to work as a news anchor at KCRA-TV, a job for which she had to move to Sacramento, California; during her time at KCRA, she was mostly in charge of producing the noon news and hosting various TV specials.

She moved to New York City in 1975, after having been hired by the flagship TV station WABC-TV of the network ABC, and was chosen to anchor their show “Eyewitness News”; it was then that Joan changed her name, so that she wouldn’t be called ‘Blunder’. In 1976, she started hosting weekend newscasts, and in November Joan began working as a consumer reporter on the show “Good Morning America”.

She started co-hosting the show together with David Hartman in 1980, and after David retired, Joan co-hosted it with Charlie Gibson. The job made it possible for Joan to travel all around the world, and she reported from 26 countries, interviewed four presidents, covered two royal weddings and five Olympic Games. She also interviewed US Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as their First Ladies.

Joan was loved by the viewers of “Good Morning America”, and amongst the reasons for this was her willingness to take various risks for the show; some of these included climbing the Mendenhall Glacier, bungee jumping off a 143 feet (45m) high bridge, and paragliding off a 2,000 feet high mountain. Joan’s final day on “Good Morning America” was 5 September 1997.

Career after “Good Morning America”

Joan hosted the show “Behind Closed Doors” for the cable network A&E between 1996 and 2001, while she also often hosted their documentary series “Biography”.

She then went on to host DirectTV’s shows “Hometown Heroes” and “America’s Invisible Children”, while’s she’s today hosting the show “Health Corner” for the basic cable channel “Lifetime”.

Joan’s books

Joan has published 14 books. Her first two “Mother’s Minutes” and “Good Morning I’m Joan Lunden” were published in 1986, and were followed by “Your Newborn Baby” in 1988. Joan authored four books in the ‘90s, including the 1994 “Joan Lunden, Workout America”, the 1997 “Joan Lunden’s Healthy Living” and the 1998 “A Bend in the Road is Not the End of the Road”.

She published “Growing Up Healthy: A Complete Guide to Childhood Nutrition, Birth Through Adolescence” in 2004, while her two most recent books have been the 2016 “It’s Never Too Late: How to Take Control of Your Health, Your Diet, Your Stress, and Reclaim Your Vitality”, and the 2020 “Why Did I Come Into This Room? A Candid Conversation about Aging”.

Breast cancer

Joan made a guest appearance in “Good Morning America” on 24 June 2014, and revealed that she had been battling breast cancer; she has beaten it, and is today spreading awareness about breast cancer.

Love life and husband

Joan has married twice, and has seven children.

She exchanged vows with Michael A. Krauss in 1978, in a large ceremony attended by many of their friends and family members; Michael if a former TV producer and radio interviewer. Joan gave birth to their daughter Jamie Beryl Krauss on 4 July 1980, and their daughters Lindsay Leigh Krauss and Sarah Emily Krauss followed in the next 10 years. Joan and Michael divorced in 1992, for unknown reasons.

On 18 April 2000, she married her second husband, the American businessman and owner of Camp Takajo Jeff Konigsberg, and they have two sets of twins who were born to a surrogate mother: Kate and Max in 2003, while Jack and Kim were born in 2005.

As of March 2022, Joan’s married to her second husband Jeff Konigsberg, with whom she has four children born to a surrogate mother, and has three children with her first husband Michael A. Krauss.

Hobbies and other interests

Joan’s highly active on Instagram, and seems to be enjoying the attention which she’s receiving from her close to 30,000 followers; she’s uploaded nearly 2,000 pictures onto the network, most of which feature her during her everyday life.

She loves to read books in her spare time, and is currently reading “The Neighborhood” by Matthew Betley, received as a gift from Matthew; it’s to be officially released in August 2022.

She’s physically highly active, practices yoga on a daily basis, while also following a strict diet.

Joan enjoys watching movies late at night – her favorite actors and actresses are Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson and Emma Watson, while a couple of her favorite films include “The Groundhog Day”, “Lost in Translation” and the franchise “Harry Potter”.

Age, height and net worth

Joan’s age is 71. She has short blonde hair and brown eyes, her height is 5ft 3ins (1.6m) and she weighs around 120lbs (55kgs).

As of March 2022, Joan’s net worth stands at more than $25 million.

General Info

Full NameJoan Lunden
Date Of BirthSeptember 19, 1950
ProfessionScreenwriter, Author, Television presenter, TV Journalist, Actor, Newscaster
EducationUniversidad de las Américas Puebla, California State University, Sacramento
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseJeff Konigsberg, Michael A. Krauss
ChildrenJamie Krauss, Sarah Emily Krauss, Kate Elizabeth Konigsberg, Lindsay Kraus, Max Aaron Konigsberg, Kimberly Konigsberg, Jack Konigsberg
ParentsGladyce Lorraine Blunden, Erle Murray Blunden

Accomplishments

NominationsDaytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program
MoviesConspiracy Theory, What About Bob?
TV ShowsGood Morning America, Biography, Wickedly Perfect, Behind Closed Doors

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1Her daughter, Lindsey Kraus Weinberg, gave birth to daughter Parker Leigh Weinberg, on Aug. 30, 2014.
2Joan's mother died in 2013.
3Has been diagnosed with breast cancer [June 24, 2014].
4In June 2015, one year after being diagnosed with breast cancer she is now cancer free.
5Her father was a cancer surgeon. Joan originally wanted to follow in his footsteps and become a doctor.
6Currently is the official spokesperson for A Place For Mom.
7Greenwich, Connecticut [November 2004]
8Welcomed a second set of twins to her family, Kimberly Elise & Jack Andrew. First set of twins Kate & Max were also delivered by a surrogate mom. [March 2005]
9Release of her book, "Joan Lunden's Healthy Living: A Practical, Inspirationl Guide to Creating Balance in Your Life". [1997]
10Release of her book, "Joan Lunden's Healty Cooking". [1996]
11Release of her book, "Joan Lunden's a Bend in the Road is Not the End of the Road: 10 Positive Principles for Dealing with Change". [1998]
12Daughter, Lindsey Kraus is engaged. Daughter Sarah Kraus works for Bravo network.
13Her mother is in a senior living facility, afflicted with Alzheimer's.
14Her brother, who had diabetes, died in 2007 [2010].
15Fox News Special Royal Wedding contributor. Covered Princess Diana's wedding in 1981.
16Was once a beat reporter for WABC-TV's Eyewitness News in New York City.
17Her husband, Jeff Konigsberg, owns two summer camps in Maine - Camp Takajo (for boys), located in Naples, Maine, and Tripp Lake Camp (for girls),located in Poland, Maine. The girl's camp is run by his sister, Nancy Konigsberg Levy.
18(1,March 2005) second set of twins were born, a girl, Kimberly Elise (6lbs. 12ozs) and a boy, Jack Andrew (7lbs. 9oz). Kimberly and Jack were delivered by the same surrogate mom, Deborah Bolig in a Cincinnati hospital.
19Daughter Sarah Kraus is now 17 and attends Greenwich High School in Greenwich, Connecticut. She was recently accepted at the University of Pennsylvania, where her mother is on the board of trustees. [2004]
2010 June 2003 - Joan & husband Jeff Konigsberg became the parents of twins - Kate Elizabeth & Max Aaron, delivered by a surrogate mother in Cincinnati.
21Daughter Lindsey Kraus attends the University of Pennsylvania (as of 2002).
22Graduated high school at 16.
23Father died in plane crash when she was 13.
24Daughters with Michael Krauss: Jamie Krauss Hess, Lindsey Kraus and Sarah Kraus.

Pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Thank You for Smoking2005Joan Lunden
Home Improvement1998TV SeriesBarbara Canfield
Conspiracy Theory1997TV Announcer
What About Bob?1991TV Announcer
Macho Callahan1970Saloon Girl (uncredited)

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Behind Closed Doors1998TV Movie

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Lifeline: The Vital Role of Nurses in Health CareTV Movie documentary completedHerself - Narrator
Today2014-2015TV SeriesHerself / Herself - Guest
The Dr. Oz Show2014TV SeriesHerself
WWF Raw2014TV SeriesHerself
Entertainment Tonight2014TV SeriesHerself
Extra2014TV SeriesHerself
Good Morning America1984-2014TV SeriesHerself - Co-Host / Herself / Herself - Co-Anchor / ...
Omg! Insider2014TV SeriesHerself
The View2005-2014TV SeriesHerself
Marie2013TV Series documentary
The 36th Annual Gracie Awards2011TV SpecialHerself
Taking Care with Joan Lunden2010TV SeriesHerself-Host
The Wendy Williams Show2010TV SeriesHerself
The Bonnie Hunt Show2009TV SeriesHerself
Rachael Ray2007TV SeriesHerself
America's Invisible Children: The Homeless Education Crisis in America2007TV Movie documentaryHerself - Host
The Tony Danza Show2005TV SeriesHerself
Wickedly Perfect2005TV SeriesHerself - Host
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show2005TV SeriesHerself
On-Air with Ryan Seacrest2004TV SeriesHerself
20/202003TV Series documentaryHerself
ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration2003TV Special documentaryHerself
The Real Story2002TV SeriesTV Announcer
Salt Lake 2002: Paralympic Winter Games2002TV Mini-SeriesHerself
The Rosie O'Donnell Show1996-2001TV SeriesHerself
LeTourneau Live2000TV MovieHerself
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart1999TV SeriesHerself
Behind Closed Doors1998TV MovieHerself - Host
LateLine1998TV SeriesHerself
Murphy Brown1992-1997TV SeriesHerself
Late Show with David Letterman1993-1997TV SeriesHerself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien1996-1997TV SeriesHerself
Charlie Rose1997TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Behind Closed Doors with Joan Lunden1996TV Series documentaryHost
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1996TV SeriesHerself
Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1995TV MovieHerself - Host
Howard Stern1995TV SeriesHerself
Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home1995Herself
Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1994TV MovieHerself - Host
The 21st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards1994TV SpecialHerself
Intimate Portrait1993TV Series documentaryHerself
Kathie Lee Gifford's Celebration of Motherhood1993TV MovieHerself
Live with Kelly and Michael1993TV SeriesHerself
Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parade1992TV SpecialHerself - Host
Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1992TV SpecialHerself - Host
Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1991TV SpecialHost
Sing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Music1990TV Movie documentaryHerself
Everyday with Joan Lunden1990TV Series documentaryHerself - Host
Donahue1985-1990TV SeriesHerself
The 10th Annual National CableACE Awards1989TV SpecialHerself
The New Hollywood Squares1987TV SeriesGuest Appearance
The Late Show1986TV SeriesHerself
Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1985TV SpecialHerself - Host
The Secret World of the Very Young1984TV MovieHerself
Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1983TV MovieHerself - Host
Mother's Day1983TV Series documentaryHerself - Host (1983-1989)
Eyewitness News1968TV SeriesNew York Reporter & Anchor (1976-1980)

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2011GracieGracie Allen AwardsOutstanding Talk Show - Entertainment/InformationTaking Care with Joan Lunden (2010)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1996Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Special Class ProgramGood Morning America (1975)
1995Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Special Class ProgramGood Morning America (1975)
1994Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Special Class ProgramGood Morning America (1975)
1991Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Special Class ProgramGood Morning America (1975)
1990Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Special Class ProgramGood Morning America (1975)
1987ACECableACE AwardsInformational HostMother's Day (1983)
1985ACECableACE AwardsInformational HostMother's Day (1983)
1984ACECableACE AwardsProgram HostessMother's Day (1983)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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