Laura Diaz Biography And Wiki
Laura Diaz, a distinguished American journalist and news anchor, built an impressive career in broadcast journalism. Born on February 16, 1958, in Santa Paula, California, she grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley after her family relocated there when she was four. As a first-generation Mexican-American, she pursued her education at Hart High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly SLO). Diaz launched her journalism career at KSBY in San Luis Obispo and later worked at KFSN in Fresno. In 1983, she returned to Southern California as a reporter for KABC-TV’s Orange County office, where she covered major events, including the 1986 Los Angeles Central Library Fire, the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, and the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
Age And Birthday
Laura Diaz was born on February 16, 1958, making her 66 years old.
Height And Weight
Laura Diaz is 5 feet 8 inches (174 cm) tall.
Education Background
Laura Diaz graduated from William S. Hart High School in Santa Clarita, California. She then attended California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
Nationality And Ethnicity
Laura Diaz is an American citizen, born in Santa Paula, California. As a first-generation Mexican-American, she relocated with her family to the Santa Clarita Valley at the age of four.
Milestones, Significant Contributions, And Notable Works
Milestones and Significant Contributions
First Mexican-American Lead Anchor: Laura Diaz became the first Mexican-American to serve as a lead anchor at an English-language television station in Southern California.
Emmy Awards: She has earned 14 Emmy Awards in recognition of her excellence in journalism.
Imagen Awards: Diaz has been honored with three Imagen Awards for her impactful work within the Latino community.
Pioneering Programs: She played a key role as one of the founding hosts of Vista L.A., a groundbreaking public affairs program catering to Southern California’s English-speaking Latino audience. Under her leadership, the program won two prestigious Imagen Awards.
Major Story Coverage: Diaz has reported on major events, including the 1986 Los Angeles Central Library Fire, the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, and the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
Notable Works
Vista L.A.: As an original host, Diaz contributed to the creation and presentation of this influential public affairs program.
Eye on Our Community: She produced and hosted several CBS2 specials, such as Eye on Our Culture and Eye on Our Neighborhood, with the latter winning the Imagen Award for Best Local Informational Program.
CBS2 News: From April 2010 until her departure, Diaz served as the solo anchor for the weekday editions of CBS2 News at 6 pm.
Husband and Children
Laura Diaz is married but chooses to keep her husband’s name private. She has two children, Norah and Nash, and is a proud grandmother to Madison and Jefferson.
Career
Laura Diaz launched her journalism career at KSBY in San Luis Obispo before moving on to KFSN in Fresno. In 1983, she returned to Southern California, where she became a reporter for KABC-TV’s Orange County office, marking a significant step in her professional journey.
She made history as the first Mexican-American lead anchor at an English-language television station in Southern California. In 1985, she advanced to the role of weekend anchor and later secured a position as the 6 pm weekday anchor for Eyewitness News. By 1997, she was anchoring both the 5 pm and 11 pm newscasts, solidifying her status as a prominent journalist.
Laura played a key role in Vista L.A., a groundbreaking public affairs program designed for Southern California’s English-speaking Latino community. She also covered major historical events, including the 1986 Los Angeles Central Library Fire, the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, and the 1994 Northridge earthquake, demonstrating her commitment to impactful journalism.
In September 2002, she joined KCBS-TV as the co-anchor of CBS 2 News at 5 and 11 pm. During her time there, she not only anchored but also produced and hosted several CBS2 specials, such as Eye on Our Culture and Eye on Our Neighborhood, showcasing her dedication to storytelling and community engagement.
Hobbies And Personal Challenges
Hobbies
Laura Diaz enjoys playing golf, a sport she has loved since childhood, thanks to her family’s driving range and mini-golf business. She continues to play and even competes professionally. She also likes doing crafts as a creative hobby and spends her free time playing video games.
Personal Challenges
Balancing her career and family life has been a major challenge for Laura. As a professional golfer and a mother, she had to manage both responsibilities. This was especially tough when she was pregnant with her son Cooper while competing in the Solheim Cup.
Salary and Net Worth
Laura Diaz earns an estimated annual salary ranging from $45,000 to $120,000. As of 2025, her net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $4 million.
Major Achievements
Major Achievements
Laura Diaz became the first Mexican-American to serve as a lead anchor at an English-language television station in Southern California, marking a historic achievement in broadcasting.
She earned 14 Emmy Awards for her excellence in journalism and received three Imagen Awards for her contributions to the Latino community.
The Radio & Television News Association of Southern California honored her with two Golden Mikes, recognizing her outstanding work in news reporting. In 2003, the L.A. Press Club presented her with its highest honor, the Joseph M. Quinn Award for journalistic excellence and distinction.
To acknowledge her impact as an award-winning journalist, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Alongside her journalism career, Laura Diaz built a successful career in professional golf, winning the 1995 North and South Women’s Amateur at Pinehurst and the 1996 Eastern Women’s Amateur Championship.
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