Joan Lunden Haircuts, Today, Age, Breast Cancer, and Net Worth

Joan Lunden Wikipedia

Joan Lunden is an American motivational speaker, journalist, television host, and bestselling author. She has worked for NBC News as a special correspondent for Today since 2014. Furthermore, she has been hosting the public television program, Second Opinion with Joan Lunden since 2021 on PBS. Previously, Joan worked for ABC News as a Good Morning America co-host from 1980 to 1997.

Additionally, she also hosts the Washington Post podcast series called Caring for Tomorrow concerning the future of healthcare. Furthermore, Joan is an ambassador to the Poynter Institute’s MediaWise for Seniors program that educates people over 50 regarding media literacy – distinguishing fact from fiction online. In addition, she also worked at Lehigh University as a visiting professor in their College of Health where she taught Population Health and the Media. Moreover, Joan has appeared in over 60 magazines and book covers.

She was diagnosed in June 2014 with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer and also serves as a public speaker in breast cancer awareness advocacy. Joan commenced her career in broadcasting in 1973 serving as a trainee at Channel 3 KCRA-TV in Sacramento, California. She was later promoted to the co-anchor of the daily noon television news program within two years. In addition, Joan hosted KCRA’s television specials and also produced the noon news broadcast. Furthermore, she worked at Montclair State College in New Jersey, as a visiting instructor.

Quick Facts

Personal Information

Joan is 74 years old, born in Fair Oaks, Sacramento County, California, USA, on September 19, 1950. Her birth sign is Virgo and her birthday is on September 19. She is 5 ft 6 in ( Approximately. 1.68 m ). Her parents are Dr. Erle Murray Blunden and Gladyce Lorraine. Her father served as a cancer surgeon.

However, Joan’s father tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 51, on his way home to Malibu from a speaking engagement at a cancer conference. At the time of her father’s death, she was 13 years old. Moreover, she was born Joan Elise Blunden and later changed her name when she began working at WABC-TV Eyewitness News to avoid being called Blunder.

Joan attended Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, California, and obtained her diploma in 1967 at 16. She later enrolled at California State University, Sacramento graduating with a Liberal Arts degree. Additionally, Joan attended the former Mexico City campus of Universidad de Las Americas and studied Spanish and anthropology.

Joan Lunden Husband Jeff Konigsberg

Joan has been married to her husband Jeff Konigsberg since 2000. Jeff owns Camp Takajo, a children’s camp based in Maine. The lovebirds exchanged wedding vows on April 18, 2000, and have been together through thick and thin. Joan and Jeff welcomed their first set of twins in 2003, Kate and Max. In 2005, they welcomed their second set of twins Jack and Kimberly. The couple welcomed their two set of twins through a surrogate.

Moreover, Kimberly, her husband, and her children live in Maine all summer at her husband’s camp where there is a climbing wall, tennis courts, and hiking. Following her breast cancer battle in 2014, Jeff helped her in making some lifestyle transitions. Furthermore, Jeff and Joan’s daughter Lindsay share the same birthday.

First Husband

Before marrying Jeff Konigsberg, she was previously married to Michael A. Krauss, her first husband. Michael is a retired radio interviewer, television segment producer, and packager. Joan and her first husband tied the knot in 1978 and welcomed their first daughter Jamie Beryl Krauss on July 4, 1980. The two later welcomed their second and third daughters Lindsay Leigh Krauss and Sarah Emily Krauss. Moreover, Joan had converted to Judaism when she married Michael.

Haircuts

Drawing from most of her photos, it is quite evident that Joan likes keeping her hair short just above her shoulders. Moreover, she has had various hairstyles in her lifetime. In most of her recent photos, Joan seems to be spotting shorter bob haircuts. Many have requested her to show how she does the Joan Lunden Do. On February 28, 2017, she brought in an Expert, her hairstylist and they demonstrated how the Joan Lunden Do is done on her YouTube channel. The video has since accumulated over 15K views.

Joan Lunden Today Show

Joan has been serving as a special correspondent for Today on NBC since 2014. The Today Show airs from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on weekdays. Moreover, the show premiered on January 14, 1952, and has been airing since then. Furthermore, Joan was friends with Barbara Walters, who worked on NBC for the Today show from 1962 to 1976. She has also worked for PBS as the host of Second Opinion with Joan Lunden since 2021.

One of Joan’s colleagues at NBC is:

Emilie Ikeda – News Correspondent

Breast Cancer

Joan was diagnosed with stage II triple-negative breast cancer in June 2014. This was an aggressive and virulent type of breast cancer. With this form of breast cancer, there are only a few treatment choices to be made. In Joan’s case, she only had strong chemotherapy as her treatment choice. Moreover, she underwent surgery known as a Lumpectomy, 16 rounds of chemotherapy, and six weeks of radiation. Joan shared her cancer journey through blogging during her treatment to help others dealing with cancer.

Joan has since conquered cancer and serves as a breast cancer awareness advocate. Furthermore, she wrote the book Had I Known where she documented her battle against breast cancer. In addition, Joan has worked as a worldwide spokesperson for several organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the American Lung Association, and many more.

Lung Cancer

Joan is a breast cancer survivor who battled cancer in 2014. She has since recovered and is in good health. Additionally, she serves as a cancer advocate helping others dealing with cancer. Furthermore, Joan has worked as a global spokesperson for multiple organizations like the Colon Cancer Alliance, the American Lung Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, etc.

Furthermore, she serves as host of Second Opinion with Joan Lunden on PBS where she talks about all things regarding health and also brings in health experts. Additionally, Joan also hosts the Washington Post Podcast Series called Caring for Tomorrow. This podcast talks about the future of healthcare.

Good Morning America

Before joining NBC News and PBS, Joan worked for WABC-TV Eyewitness News in New York. She joined the network in 1975 and later served as co-anchor on the weekend newscasts in 1976. Furthermore, she changed her name in 1975 from Blunden to Lunden to avoid being referred to as ‘Blunder’. In the fall of 1976, Joan joined Good Morning America (GMA) as a feature news and consumer reporter. When Sandy Hill, GMA’s former co-host left to serve on ABC’s coverage of the 1976 Winter Olympics, she began serving as fill-in co-host.

Joan was later promoted to co-host with GMA’s first host, David Hartman in 1980. She then spent most of her career hosting with Charlie Gibson. Moreover, Joan covered four presidents, reported from 26 countries, covered two royal weddings, and five Olympic Games. From the 1970s to the 1990s, she interviewed U.S. Presidents and First Ladies Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Gerald and Betty Ford, George and Barbara Bush, etc. Furthermore, Joan traveled the world covering historic events like the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales among others.

Moreover, she covered the inaugurations and administrations of three Presidents; George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan. Furthermore, Joan was among the only three American journalists to interview Prince Charles throughout his 1983 visit to the U.S. However, after serving as Good Morning America co-host for 17 years, Joan left the show on September 5, 1997, after ABC decided to replace her because of her age.

Now

She is currently in great health and shape. Joan works for PBS where she hosts Second Opinion With Joan Lunden. In this segment, she teaches people how to live a healthy life and brings in health experts who tackle matters concerning health. Moreover, she also serves as the Washington Post Podcast series host of Caring for Tomorrow which deals with the future of healthcare. Additionally, Joan has been serving as NBC’s special correspondent for the Today Show since 2014.

Ears

In February 2018, Joan was admitted to the hospital. She had lost her voice for a few days and was diagnosed with laryngitis and an ear infection. As a result, she was prescribed antibiotics that seemed not to work for her and she got worse within days and went back to the doctor. It was later discovered that she was suffering from a sinus infection.

Joan got flu tested at every doctor’s visit which turned out negative. She got better and worse, back and forth, and finally got a debilitating cough and wheezing. Joan went to her hospital ER after 6 weeks of being unwell and nothing seemed to work for her. Following eight hours of flu tests, sinus cat scan, strep tests, various blood panels and nose swabs, and chest X-ray, it was discovered that she had an infection.

As a result, Joan was admitted as they tried to find out what infection it was and where it was. The doctor found out that she had a virus called metapneumovirus, of the respiratory system. This virus affects everything from the sinuses to the bronchial tubes to the lower reaches of the lungs. Medications were administered through IV and while she was under observation. Joan has since recovered from the virus.

2023

On January 18, 2023, Joan appeared live on the Reset Yourself show as a special guest. The episode was posted on She Rises Studios YouTube channel and has since garnered 11k views in one year and 12 comments.

House

She owns two beautiful homes, one in Connecticut and one in Maine where she lives with her husband Jeff, and their younger children

Grandchildren

Joan is an amazing and proud grandmother to her grandchildren. In the summer of 2020, she spent the whole summer with her two grandchildren, a grandson Leo and a granddaughter Parker at her camp pandemic bubble. Parker and Leo are from her daughter Lindsay. In addition, she also has another grandson named Mason from her daughter Jamie.

Salary

Joan earns an average salary of $2 million per year from working on PBS as a host and NBC as a special correspondent. Additionally, she also hosts the Washington Post Podcast series, Caring for Tomorrow.

Net Worth

Joan has garnered a net worth of $25 million from being a journalist, author, motivational speaker, and TV host.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Old Is Joan Lunden?

Joan is 74 years old, born in Fair Oaks, Sacramento County, California, USA, on September 19, 1950.

How Old Is Joan Lunden Husband Jeff Konigsberg?

Joan’s husband is 10 years younger than her. He was born on March 7, 1960, and is currently 64 years old.

Did Joan Lunden Have A Stroke?

Joan did not have a stroke, however, on February 7, 2020, she shared on her Facebook page how stroke causes 1 in 3 deaths among women every year.

Does Joan Lunden Have Lung Cancer?

Joan does not have lung cancer but is a breast cancer survivor. Since her cancer battle in 2014, she has been a breast cancer awareness advocate. Moreover, Joan has served as a spokesperson for several organizations including the American Lung Association.

Is Joan Lunden Still Alive?

She is still alive and full of health. Joan currently works for NBC as a special correspondent for Today and PBS, hosting Second Opinion with Joan Lunden.

Where Is Joan Lunden Today?

Joan is the spokesperson for a worldwide senior care referral service called A Place for Mom.

What Is Joan Lunden Doing Now?

She serves as a special correspondent for Today on NBC and hosts Second Opinion with Joan Lunden on PBS. Furthermore, Joan also hosts the Washington Post Podcast series known as Caring for Tomorrow.

Who Is Joan Lunden Married To?

Joan is married to Jeff Konigsberg with whom she has four children, two sets of twins. Jeff is 10 years younger than her and owns a camp in Maine called Camp Takajo.

Who Is Joan Lunden?

Joan is an American bestselling author, journalist, motivational speaker, and TV host. She has worked for NBC since 2014 as a special correspondent for Today and at PBS as host of Second Opinion since 2021.

Is Joan Lunden Still Married?

Joan has been married to her husband Jeff Konigsberg since April 18, 2000.

What Happened To Joan Lunden?

She was diagnosed with aggressive and virulent stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer on June 6, 2014.

Is Joan Lunden Married?

She is married to her husband Jeff Konigsberg, owner of Camp Takajo in Maine.

How Is Joan Lunden Doing?

Joan has since conquered breast cancer and is currently in good health and maintains a healthy lifestyle.

Social Media Accounts

Facebook – Joan Lunden