Joan Lunden (born Joan Elise Blunden on September 19, 1950) is an American reporter, television presenter, author, and inspirational speaker. She is most recognized for co-hosting ABC’s Good Morning America from 1980 to 1997, establishing herself as one of the most recognizable figures in morning broadcasting. Throughout her 17 years on GMA, she interviewed four U.S. presidents, reported on five Olympic Games, covered events in 26 nations, and anchored important occasions like royal ceremonies and significant anniversaries. After departing from GMA, she concentrated on hosting, writing, and advocacy, producing over 10 publications centered on parenting, wellness, aging, and personal development.
As of March 2026, at the age of 75, Joan remains engaged as a special correspondent for NBC’s Today show, a position she has maintained since 2014. Additionally, she hosts the PBS series Second Opinion, which she launched in 2021. Joan continues to deliver speeches, participate in podcasts, and provide insights on wellness, family, and resilience via social media. She is a survivor of breast cancer, diagnosed in 2014, and has long championed women’s health, caregiving, and healthy aging.
Age
Joan Lunden was born on September 19, 1950, in Sacramento County, California. As of March 2026, she is 75 years old.
Biography Update
Joan Blunden was born to Gladyce Lorraine Somervill, an accountant, and Dr. Erle Murray Blunden, a physician and amateur pilot who served as chief of staff at American River Hospital. She has an older brother named Jeff. In 1964, when Joan was 13, her father and Dr. Byron E. Hall perished in an aircraft accident in Malibu Canyon while returning from an American Cancer Society meeting. This tragedy profoundly affected her family. Joan graduated from Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, California, at 16 years of age in 1967. She obtained a liberal arts degree from California State University, Sacramento, and later studied Spanish and anthropology at Universidad de Las Américas in Mexico City. Furthermore, she taught broadcast journalism as a visiting lecturer at Montclair State College in New Jersey.
Joan commenced her broadcasting journey in 1973 as an intern at KCRA-TV in Sacramento. Within two years, she was co-anchoring the noon news, producing specials, and hosting programs. In 1975, she relocated to New York and altered her surname from Blunden to Lunden to simplify pronunciation. That same year, she joined WABC-TV Eyewitness News. The subsequent year, she took on weekend news co-anchoring and became a consumer reporter and substitute host on Good Morning America. In 1980, she became the permanent co-host alongside David Hartman and later collaborated with Charlie Gibson. Over the years, she reported from conflict zones, covered presidential inaugurations, marked the 50th anniversaries of VE Day and D-Day, and reported on royal weddings. She often undertook daring assignments like rappelling down glaciers, bungee jumping, and whitewater rafting, which distinguished her segments.
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Joan departed GMA in September 1997 after 17 years. From 1996 to 2001, she hosted A&E’s Behind Closed Doors, featured on Biography, and initiated Taking Care with Joan Lunden on Retirement Living TV. Between 2004 and 2014, she served as the national spokesperson for Peace Over Violence and A Place for Mom. In 2014, she returned to morning television as a special correspondent for NBC’s Today. In 2021, she became the presenter of PBS’s Second Opinion, focusing on health and medical subjects. Her bibliographical works encompass parenting guides, health topics, and memoirs: Good Morning, I’m Joan Lunden (1986), Joan Lunden’s Healthy Living (1997), Wake Up Calls (2000), Growing Up Healthy (2004), Had I Known (2015, breast cancer memoir), and Why Did I Come into This Room? (2020, concerning aging). She has also made guest appearances on Murphy Brown, Home Improvement, and All My Children, and featured in films such as What About Bob?, Free Willy 2, and Thank You for Smoking.
In recent times, Joan has concentrated on wellness advocacy, speaking at women’s conferences, sharing family updates on social media, and encouraging healthy aging. She has been candid about her battle with breast cancer, diagnosed in 2014, which she managed with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. She has also discussed her experiences caring for her mother, Gladyce, who suffered from dementia and passed away in 2013 at the age of 94. Joan remains involved in writing, speaking, and participating in television specials.
Net Worth
Joan Lunden’s estimated net worth in 2026 stands between $60–65 million. Her fortune derives from:
- Income from Good Morning America (peak years reportedly $2–4 million per year)
- Hosting agreements (A&E, Retirement Living TV, PBS, NBC Today)
- Book sales and advances (numerous bestsellers)
- Speaking engagements and endorsements
- Real estate (properties in Connecticut and New York)
- Residuals from decades of television work
Her financial security has grown over the years due to wise investments and a diversified range of income sources.
Health
Joan Lunden was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2014, which she announced publicly on Good Morning America. She underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, completing her treatment in 2015. She has remained cancer-free and has become an outspoken advocate for early detection, detailing her journey in Had I Known (2015). In recent interviews (2024–2025), she has talked about healthy aging, physical activity, nutrition, and stress management. As of March 2026, she appears vibrant and full of energy, maintaining an active lifestyle through walking, yoga, and family engagements.
Family
Joan Lunden has been married twice and has seven children.
- First marriage: Michael A. Krauss (1978–1992, divorced). Three daughters:
- Jamie Beryl Krauss (born July 4, 1980)
- Lindsay Leigh Krauss
- Sarah Emily Krauss
- Second marriage: Jeff Konigsberg (married April 18, 2000–present). Four children (two sets of twins born via surrogate):
- Jack Konigsberg (born 2003)
- Kim Konigsberg (born 2003)
- Kate Konigsberg (born 2005)
- Max Konigsberg (born 2005)
Joan converted to Judaism during her first marriage. She maintains a close relationship with all seven of her children and frequently expresses pride in their accomplishments and her role as a mother and grandmother.
Career Highlights
- Co-host of Good Morning America (1980–1997)
- Host of Behind Closed Doors (A&E, 1996–2001)
- Author of over 10 books, including health and parenting guides
- Special correspondent for NBC’s Today (2014–present)
- Host of PBS’s Second Opinion (2021–present)
- National spokesperson for A Place for Mom and various health initiatives
- Advocate for breast cancer awareness and survivor spokesperson
Joan’s career encompasses journalism, hosting, writing, and advocacy, with a current focus on women’s health and family.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Joan Elise Blunden (currently Joan Lunden) |
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1950 |
| Age (March 2026) | 75 |
| Net Worth (2026 est.) | $60–65 million |
| Health | Breast cancer survivor (diagnosed 2014, treated 2014–2015); in good health and active |
| Spouses | Michael A. Krauss (1978–1992, divorced); Jeff Konigsberg (2000–present) |
| Children | 7 (Jamie, Lindsay, Sarah with Krauss; Jack, Kim, Kate, Max with Konigsberg via surrogate) |
| Career Highlights | Co-host GMA (1980–1997); author of 10+ books; Today correspondent; Second Opinion host |
| Recent Activity | Memoir updates, speaking engagements, health advocacy, family-oriented life |
