Maggie Vespa is an American journalist and correspondent for NBC News based in Chicago, Illinois. She rose to national prominence after joining NBC News in March 2022, having built an impressive career spanning over 15 years across multiple major television markets. The broadcast journalist comes from a journalism family and gained viral attention in 2019 for her response to sexist criticism about her wardrobe choices.
Maggie Vespa Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Maggie Vespa |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | December 29, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Peoria, Illinois, United States |
| Current residence | Chicago, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White (Italian heritage) |
| Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 137 lbs (62 kg) |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Relationship status not publicly confirmed |
| Spouse | Not publicly disclosed |
| Children | None publicly disclosed |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dunlap High School |
| Profession | Journalist, News Correspondent, Television Anchor |
| Net worth | $1 million – $3 million (estimated) |
Who is Maggie Vespa?
Maggie Vespa works as a national correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC, covering major breaking news stories across the United States.
She reports regularly for NBC Nightly News and TODAY Show. The Peoria native has covered significant national stories ranging from healthcare policy to immigration enforcement operations in 2026.
Her journalism career began in her hometown immediately after college graduation in 2010. Vespa spent more than a decade working her way through local markets before earning her position at one of America’s most prestigious news organizations.
How old is Maggie Vespa? Age and birthday
Maggie Vespa is 38 years old as of January 2026. She was born on December 29, 1987, in Peoria, Illinois, United States. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn.
Maggie Vespa’s height, weight and measurements
Maggie Vespa stands 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 centimeters) and weighs approximately 137 pounds (62 kilograms).
She maintains an athletic build that suits her active career in broadcast journalism. The correspondent has brown hair and brown eyes.
What is Maggie Vespa’s educational background?
Maggie Vespa attended Dunlap High School in Peoria, Illinois, where she graduated before pursuing higher education.
She enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2006 to 2010, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism.
During her college years, Vespa actively participated in campus activities. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority, Irish Illini, Daily Illini student newspaper, and Orange Krush.
Her education focused on ethical reporting, media law, and storytelling techniques that would later define her professional work.
Career
Early career beginnings (2010-2012)
Maggie Vespa launched her journalism career immediately after her 2010 graduation at age 23. She returned to her hometown of Peoria, working as a reporter and weekend anchor for WEEK-TV and Heart of Illinois ABC (WHOI-TV).
This position allowed her to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Kay Vespa, who had worked as one of the first female television journalists in Peoria during the 1970s.
KGUN-TV Tucson, Arizona (2012-2014)
Vespa’s career advanced when she joined KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona, as a general assignment reporter.
During her two years in the Arizona market, she covered breaking news, investigative stories, and weather forecasts. This experience in a larger market prepared her for the next phase of her career.
KGW-TV Portland, Oregon (2014-2022)
In November 2014, Maggie Vespa joined KGW-TV, the NBC affiliate station in Portland, Oregon. This move marked a turning point in her career.
She served as a reporter, fill-in anchor, and eventually became host of “The Story,” a weekly public affairs program.
During her time in Portland, Vespa covered major regional stories including protests, wildfires, and community issues.
She won a Northwest Regional Emmy Award in 2020 for Best News Anchor, recognizing her excellence in journalism. The award covered work across stations in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
A 2019 incident brought Vespa national attention when a male viewer sent her an email criticizing her high-waisted pants.
She responded on-air with a powerful segment about sexism and double standards women face in television news. The video went viral, earning praise for her eloquent handling of workplace discrimination.
NBC News correspondent (2022-present)
Maggie Vespa joined NBC News and MSNBC as a correspondent based in Chicago in March 2022. She left KGW-TV after more than seven years to accept this prestigious national position. The role represents the culmination of her 12-year journey through local television markets.
As an NBC News correspondent, Vespa reports for NBC Nightly News, TODAY Show, and MSNBC programming. She covers breaking news stories across the country, with a focus on healthcare, social issues, and investigative reporting.
Her 2024-2025 reporting included a series called “The Cost of Denial,” examining insurance coverage denials for families with children facing serious medical conditions.
In January 2026, Vespa reported on immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, covered winter weather disasters across the United States, and continued her investigations into healthcare accessibility issues affecting American families.
What is Maggie Vespa’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Maggie Vespa’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $3 million. She built this fortune through her 15-year journalism career across multiple television markets and her current position at NBC News.
Vespa earns an estimated annual salary of approximately $87,500 as an NBC News correspondent. Network correspondents typically earn between $75,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience and market position.
Her income reflects her status as a national correspondent for one of America’s major broadcast networks.
Her wealth comes primarily from her television journalism work, including her years at local stations in Peoria, Tucson, and Portland before joining NBC News.
Is Maggie Vespa married? Husband, Relationship status and personal life
Maggie Vespa keeps her personal life private and has not publicly confirmed her relationship status as of 2026. She does not frequently discuss her romantic life in interviews or on social media.
Some sources from 2021 mentioned that Vespa may have married someone named Josh in August 2021, describing their relationship as supportive. This information has not been officially confirmed by Vespa herself.
The journalist maintains a professional public presence focused on her work rather than personal relationships. She has not shared information about having children or starting a family.
Maggie Vespa’s family background
Maggie Vespa comes from a journalism family in Peoria, Illinois. Her mother, Kay Vespa (Kay Hartzell Vespa), worked as a reporter and anchor for a Peoria television station in the 1970s.
Kay was one of the first female journalists on television in Peoria at a time when few women worked in broadcast news.
Her father, Joe Vespa, also lived in Peoria. Maggie has spoken about her parents’ dedication to their community throughout their lives.
Tragedy struck the Vespa family in June 2025 when both of Maggie’s parents died. She shared the devastating news on social media, writing: “We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our parents … they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community.” The journalist thanked law enforcement for their heroic rescue attempts.
Maggie Vespa has a brother who also appears to be close to the family. Her surname “Vespa” suggests Italian heritage, which she has acknowledged by attending annual family reunions at Peoria’s Italian American Society Festa Picnic throughout her life.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Maggie Vespa has approximately 8,600 followers on Instagram, where she posts under the handle @maggievespa.
Her social media content focuses primarily on her journalism work, featuring behind-the-scenes glimpses of her reporting assignments and occasional personal updates.
On Twitter (X), she operates under @Maggie_Vespa with around 11,800 followers. She uses the platform to share her NBC News stories and engage with viewers about breaking news coverage.
Vespa also maintains a professional Facebook page called “Maggie Vespa NBC” with over 13,700 likes. Her bio across platforms identifies her as an “@nbcnews correspondent • based in Chicago, born in IL • priors: Portland, OR, Tucson, AZ & Peoria, IL • no relation to the 🛵” (humorously noting she has no connection to the Vespa motor scooter brand).
Her social media engagement is moderate compared to some television personalities, reflecting her focus on substantive journalism rather than celebrity status.
She typically shares completed news packages, personal reflections on stories she covers, and occasional family memories.
Fast facts about Maggie Vespa
- Maggie Vespa graduated from the same university journalism program (University of Illinois) where she was later recognized as a distinguished alumna when she joined NBC News.
- She won a Northwest Regional Emmy Award in 2020 for Best News Anchor while working at KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon.
- Her mother, Kay Vespa, was a pioneering female television journalist in Peoria during the 1970s, inspiring Maggie’s career path.
- Vespa’s viral 2019 response to sexist criticism about her wardrobe helped spark conversations about double standards women face in television journalism.
- She has no relation to the Italian motor scooter brand Vespa, a fact she humorously mentions in her social media profiles.
- During her college years at the University of Illinois, Vespa was actively involved in student journalism through the Daily Illini newspaper.
- She spent 15 years working her way through local television markets before landing her NBC News correspondent position in 2022.
- Vespa’s reporting series “The Cost of Denial” focused on insurance companies denying coverage to families with children facing serious medical conditions.
- Both of her parents died in June 2025 in circumstances that required heroic rescue attempts by law enforcement, according to her social media tribute.
- She was born on December 29, making her a Capricorn, and celebrates her birthday just days before New Year’s.
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Wrapping up
Maggie Vespa is a successful NBC News correspondent. She built her career over 15 years, starting in local news and moving to national stories.
Vespa won a Northwest Regional Emmy Award and spoke out against sexism. She continues to report on important issues, including healthcare, after facing personal loss.
Vespa is now a prominent voice in American journalism, reporting for NBC Nightly News and the TODAY Show.
References
- Wikipedia. “Maggie Vespa”.
- Journal Star. “Peoria native Maggie Vespa becomes NBC News correspondent”.
- The Oregonian. “Former KGW reporter Maggie Vespa makes ‘Today’ show in-studio debut”.
- Journal Star. “Nick in the AM: Peoria native Maggie Vespa wins Emmy for TV news anchoring”.
- Adweek. “Portland Reporter Maggie Vespa Leaving KGW in March”.
- LinkedIn. “Maggie Vespa – NBC News”.
- Instagram. “Maggie Vespa (@maggievespa)”.
- NBC News. “Winter weather wreaks havoc from coast to coast”. Content updated January 2026.
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