Robin Baumgarten is a celebrated American television news anchor and journalist who co-anchors the WGN Morning News on WGN-TV in Chicago. She is a three-time Emmy Award winner known for her warm personality and dedication to covering stories from Chicago’s South Side. The broadcast journalist has been a fixture on Chicago morning television since 1996 and continues to be one of the most recognized faces in local news.
Quick Wiki/Bio About Robin Baumgarten
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Robin Baumgarten (Robin Baumgarten Trost) |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | November 7, 1963 |
| Age | 62 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Burbank, Illinois, United States |
| Current residence | Lemont, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 150 lbs (68 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Scott (married 2022-2023) |
| Ex-husband | Matt Piacente (divorced) |
| Children | Two daughters (Anna and Mary Piacente) |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| Profession | Television news anchor, journalist, reporter |
| Net worth | $800,000 (estimated as of 2026) |
Who is Robin Baumgarten?
Robin Baumgarten is a prominent television news personality who has anchored the WGN Morning News for nearly three decades.
She joined WGN-TV in 1996 as an airborne traffic reporter and transportation correspondent. The Chicago native has become one of the most beloved morning news anchors in the Midwest.
Robin was born and raised in Burbank, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago. She is the daughter of a businessman sometimes called the “tile king of Chicago.”
Growing up on the South Side shaped her perspective and connection to the community she now serves through her journalism.
How old is Robin Baumgarten? Age and birthday
Robin Baumgarten is 62 years old as of January 2026. She was born on November 7, 1963, in Burbank, Illinois.
Her zodiac sign is Scorpio. The television anchor celebrates her birthday every year on November 7th.
Robin Baumgarten’s height, weight, and body measurements
Robin Baumgarten stands 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall and weighs around 150 pounds (68 kg). She has blonde hair and blue eyes.
The news anchor maintains a healthy lifestyle and has been open about her fitness journey over the years.
Career
Education and early journalism
Robin received a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1990.
During her college years, she gained experience working at WPGU, the campus radio station. The University of Illinois remains close to her heart as a proud alumna.
Pre-WGN career
After graduation, Robin returned to Chicago and began working for Shadow Broadcast Services (Shadow Traffic Network) from 1990 to 1996.
She worked as a traffic, news, and sports reporter for WLUP Radio’s Jonathan Brandmeier Show. She also served as a traffic reporter for CLTV News and spent one year doing freelance work with ABC Sports.
WGN-TV career
Robin joined WGN-TV in 1996 as an airborne traffic reporter and transportation reporter. When the WGN Morning News expanded to four hours in 2004, she became the solo anchor of the 5 a.m. show. By 2004, Robin had become the main anchor of WGN Morning News from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
When the show expanded again in 2013, she extended her duties to cover the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. hours. She currently co-anchors the show alongside Larry Potash.
The WGN Morning News has been rated as Chicago’s number one morning news show for many years.
Awards and recognition
Robin is a three-time Emmy Award winner. She won her first Emmy in 1997 for the station’s coverage of the Bulls Championship Rally.
In 2002, she received another Emmy for Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence On Camera. She earned her third Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in News Programming for Morning Newscast.
What is Robin Baumgarten’s net worth and salary?
As of January 2026, Robin Baumgarten’s net worth is estimated at $800,000. She earns an estimated annual salary between $80,000 and $110,000 from her work at WGN-TV. She has built this fortune through her nearly 30-year career in broadcast journalism.
Her income comes primarily from her role as co-anchor of the WGN Morning News. The veteran journalist’s long tenure at one of Chicago’s most-watched morning programs has provided her with financial stability throughout her career.
In July 2022, Robin purchased a four-bedroom, 3,314-square-foot house in Lemont, Illinois, for $783,000. She previously owned a home in Orland Park, which she sold before moving to Lemont.
Is Robin Baumgarten married? Husband, relationship status, and dating history
Current marital status
Robin Baumgarten is married to a man named Scott, whom she often referred to as “Mr. X” on social media before their wedding.
The couple got engaged in June 2022 when Robin announced on Facebook: “Mr. X is now Mr. Fiancé.” They married sometime between 2022 and 2023.
Robin kept her new husband’s identity private for a long time, maintaining the mystery by calling him “Mr. X” on the show and social media.
His first name, Scott, was eventually revealed during WGN Morning News segments in 2025. The couple maintains a relatively private relationship despite Robin’s public profile.
Previous marriage
Robin was previously married to Matt Piacente, a television news producer and director. Matt Piacente is a Chicago native and graduate of the University of Missouri. He has worked in various news director positions, including at NBC and Fox 32 Chicago.
The former couple had two daughters together: Anna and Mary Piacente. Robin and Matt divorced after the birth of their second child.
The specific reasons for their divorce have not been publicly disclosed. Matt Piacente returned to Chicago in 2016 to be closer to his daughters, who lived with Robin.
Children
Robin Baumgarten has two daughters from her first marriage to Matt Piacente. Both daughters are University of Illinois graduates, continuing the family tradition.
Anna Piacente is the older daughter. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in business in 2023. Anna then earned her master’s degree in accountancy from the University of Illinois in 2024. She has worked at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in various capacities.
Mary Piacente is the younger daughter who is currently pursuing a career in journalism like her mother. She is studying at the University of Illinois and interned at CBS Evening News in Washington, D.C., during summer 2024. Mary also serves as a resident advisor at the university.
Robin frequently shares her pride in her daughters on social media and has featured them on the WGN Morning News. The Baumgarten family represents four generations of University of Illinois alumni.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Robin Baumgarten has approximately 52,000 followers on Instagram under the handle @wgnrobin.
She uses the platform to share behind-the-scenes moments from the WGN Morning News, personal family updates, and Chicago-related content. Her Instagram bio reads “Livin’ the dream weekdays on @wgnmorningnews.”
Robin also maintains an active presence on X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @WGNRobin and has an official Facebook page with thousands of followers.
She regularly engages with viewers through social media, sharing news stories, personal milestones, and lighthearted content about her work and life in Chicago.
Fast facts about Robin Baumgarten
- Robin has been with WGN-TV for nearly 30 years, joining the station in 1996.
- She grew up in Burbank, Illinois, and her father was known as the “tile king of Chicago” due to his tile business.
- Robin graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1990.
- She has won three Emmy Awards during her broadcasting career.
- Robin worked for the Jonathan Brandmeier Show on WLUP Radio before joining WGN-TV.
- She is a lifelong Chicagoan who is passionate about covering stories from the South Side of Chicago.
- Both of Robin’s daughters attended the University of Illinois, making them fourth-generation Illini.
- She kept her second husband’s identity secret for years, referring to him only as “Mr. X” on social media and television.
- Robin purchased a home in Lemont, Illinois, for $783,000 in July 2022.
- She co-anchors the WGN Morning News from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. alongside Larry Potash, making it Chicago’s number one morning news program.
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Wrapping up
Robin Baumgarten remains a beloved figure in Chicago journalism after nearly three decades on the air.
Her dedication to covering local stories, warm on-air personality, and deep connection to the South Side have made her one of the most trusted morning news anchors in the region.
As she continues her career at WGN-TV, Robin balances her professional success with her role as a mother and her recent marriage to Scott.
References
- WGN-TV. “Robin Baumgarten | Chicago”.
- Illinois Alumni Magazine. “Winter 2024 – Family Tradition”.
- University of Illinois Alumni Association. “Family tradition”.
- Chicago Tribune. “WGN-Ch. 9 anchor Robin Baumgarten buys home in Lemont, sells another in Orland Park”.
- Robert Feder. “NBC promotes Chicago news producer”.
- Tribune Media. “WGN-TV & Oak Brook Productions Bring Home 10 Emmy® Awards”.
- IMDb. “Robin Baumgarten”.
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