Mary Kay Kleist Biography And Wiki
Mary Kay Kleist is a renowned meteorologist and news anchor, best known for her work at CBS 2 Chicago. Born on October 2, 1955, in San Diego, California, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida in 1992 with a degree in Radio and Television. She also completed the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State University. Mary Kay began her career at WJCL-TV in Savannah, Georgia, where she held various roles, including weekend weather anchor, health and general assignment reporter, news anchor, photographer, editor, and anchor for the local edition of CNN Headline News.
Age And Birthday
Mary Kay Kleist celebrates her birthday on October 3rd each year. Since she was born in 1955, she is 69 years old as of 2024.
Height And Weight
Mary Kay Kleist is 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall and weighs around 125 lbs (57 kg).
Education Background
Mary Kay Kleist graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida in 1992 with a Bachelor’s degree in Radio and Television. She then continued her education at Mississippi State University, completing the Broadcast Meteorology Program.
Nationality And Ethnicity
Mary Kay Kleist is an American, though specific information about her ethnicity is not widely known.
Milestones, Significant Contributions, And Notable Works
- Certified Broadcast Meteorologist: In 2007, she became a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, the highest honor in the field.
- Emmy Awards: Mary Kay has won several local Emmy Awards, including three in 2015 for her coverage of April’s tornadoes, a severe weather special, and best on-camera weather anchor.
Significant Contributions
- Weather Reporting: Mary Kay has worked as a meteorologist for over 25 years, covering weather across print, radio, and TV.
- Community Involvement: She is actively involved in charity events and initiatives in Chicago.
Notable Works
- Coverage of Severe Weather: Her coverage of the April 2015 tornadoes earned her multiple Emmy Awards.
- Daily Weather Reports: She is known for delivering daily weather updates on CBS 2 Chicago.
Husband and Children
Mary Kay Kleist is married to Mark, and they have two children: a son named Blake and a daughter. They live in Naperville, Illinois.
Career
Mary Kay Kleist began her career at WJCL-TV in Savannah, Georgia, where she took on various roles, including weekend weather anchor, health and general assignment reporter, news anchor, photographer, editor, and anchor of the local edition of CNN Headline News.
She then moved to Tampa, Florida, and worked as a meteorologist for WFLA-TV. In this role, she reported weather for The Tampa Tribune, CNN Headline News, and WFLA-AM Radio, further expanding her experience in weather broadcasting.
In 1999, Mary Kay joined WXYZ-TV in Detroit, Michigan, where she provided weather reports for the station’s weekend newscasts, gaining recognition for her work in the area.
In 2002, she joined CBS 2 Chicago, where she has been a prominent presence ever since. Mary Kay delivers weather forecasts and updates to a loyal audience. In 2007, she earned the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist title from the American Meteorological Society, the highest honor in broadcast meteorology. Over the years, she has won several local Emmy Awards, including three in 2015 for her coverage of the April tornadoes, a severe weather special, and best on-camera weather anchor. Additionally, she has earned the AMS Seal of Approval and the NWA Broadcasting Seal of Approval for her expertise in weather broadcasting.
Hobbies And Personal Challenges
Hobbies
Mary Kay enjoys gardening, finding it both relaxing and rewarding. She also loves cooking and trying out new recipes. Traveling is another passion, and she enjoys exploring new places with her family. In her free time, she is an avid reader who enjoys spending time with a good book.
Personal Challenges
Mary Kay has worked to balance her demanding career with her duties as a mother and wife. She has mentioned reducing some work commitments to spend more time with her family. As a public figure, she has faced criticism, but she has handled it with professionalism and grace.
Salary and Net Worth
Salary
Mary Kay Kleist’s yearly salary ranges from $45,500 to $115,000.
Net Worth
Mary Kay Kleist’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $5 million, earned through her long career in weather broadcasting and her contributions to the industry.
Major Achievements
Mary Kay Kleist has achieved several significant milestones in her meteorology and broadcasting career:
- Certified Broadcast Meteorologist: In 2007, she became a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, the highest honor in broadcast meteorology.
- Emmy Awards: Mary Kay has won multiple local Emmy Awards, including three in 2015 for her coverage of the April tornadoes, a severe weather special, and best on-camera weather anchor.
- AMS Seal of Approval: She received the AMS Seal of Approval, acknowledging her expertise in weather broadcasting.
- NWA Broadcasting Seal of Approval: Mary Kay also earned the NWA Broadcasting Seal of Approval, further confirming her skills in the field.
- Long-Standing Career: She has been a key member of CBS 2 Chicago since 2002, providing reliable and accurate weather reports for over 20 years.
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