Stephanie Sy Biography: Age, Husband, Career | PBS NewsHour

Stephanie Sy journalist's Photo
Stephanie Sy journalist's Photo

Stephanie Sy Biography: A Journey from ABC News to PBS NewsHour

Stephanie Sy is a seasoned American journalist recognized for her role as a correspondent for PBS NewsHour and anchor of PBS NewsHour West.

Known for her in-depth reporting and dedication to journalistic integrity, Sy has made significant contributions to both national and international news coverage.

She has a diverse background in journalism, having worked for various prominent news organizations throughout her career.

  • Early Life and Education:

    • Born in Southern California, Sy developed a passion for journalism early on. She pursued her education at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1999 with a degree in International Relations and Environmental Studies.
  • Career Highlights:

    • Early Career:

      • Sy began her career in local news, working as a reporter and fill-in anchor for WBTW in Florence, South Carolina, from 1999 to 2001.
      • She then moved to WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia, where she served as a military reporter.
      • Her impactful reporting from Iraq during the 2003 Iraq War, while embedded with the military, led to her being hired by ABC News.
    • ABC News:

      • Sy spent several years at ABC News, reporting from London for ABC NewsOne and later serving as a New York-based correspondent.
      • In 2007, she was appointed as ABC’s Asia Correspondent, based in Beijing.
      • She returned to New York in 2009 and continued her work with ABC News until 2012.
    • Al Jazeera America:

      • From 2013 to 2016, Sy was a prominent figure at Al Jazeera America, anchoring various newscasts and conducting interviews on the show “Talk to Al Jazeera.”
    • Freelance Work:

      • After Al Jazeera America’s closure in 2016, Sy continued her work as a freelance reporter for Yahoo News, CBSN, and CNN.
      • She also anchored coverage of the 2018 Midterm Elections for Yahoo News and reported from Donald Trump’s victory party on Election Day 2016.
    • PBS NewsHour:

      • Sy joined the PBS NewsHour team in 2018 and has since become a vital part of the program. She has covered a wide range of national and international news stories, demonstrating her versatility and expertise as a journalist.
  • Awards and Recognition:

    • Sy has been recognized for her outstanding work in journalism, including an Overseas Press Club Award for her breaking news reports from the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 for ABC News.
    • In 2015, she received an Asian American Journalists Association “Mentor of the Year” Award.

Additional Information:

  • Philanthropy: She serves on the advisory board of Report for America and has hosted the public affairs program “Ethics Matter” for the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs.

Stephanie Sy’s dedication to journalism, her insightful reporting, and her ability to connect with viewers have made her a respected figure in the news industry.

Her work on the PBS NewsHour continues to inform and engage audiences on important national and international issues.

Stephanie Sy Age

Stephanie Sy is 47 years old, born on January 16, 1977. She is of Asian-American heritage and is of Chinese descent.

She holds American nationality, having been born and raised in southern California. Her birth sign is Capricorn.

Stephanie Sy Family

Stephanie Sy was born to Li Sy and John J. Sy in southern California.

Her father is a certified public accountant, and her mother is a real estate broker for Coldwell Banker.

She has two sisters, Jacqaline Rayne and Christina Grace, and a brother, Jsy Sy, who is a singer.

Her parents, who immigrated from the Philippines, instilled in her a deep appreciation for education and hard work.

Sy’s family background includes a rich cultural heritage, and she frequently credits her upbringing for giving her the discipline and drive to succeed in her career.

Her family’s encouragement has been instrumental in her journey to becoming a respected journalist.

Stephanie Sy Education

Stephanie Sy has had a remarkable career in journalism, spanning over two decades. Here are some highlights:

  • Early Career:

    • Sy started her journalism career as a reporter and fill-in anchor for WBTW in Florence, South Carolina, from 1999 to 2001. She then joined WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia, as a military reporter, where her reporting from Iraq during the 2003 invasion led to her hiring by ABC News.
  • ABC News:

    • Sy reported from London for ABC NewsOne until 2006, when she became a New York-based correspondent. In 2007, she was appointed as ABC’s Asia Correspondent in Beijing, covering major developments in the region. She returned to New York in 2009 and remained with ABC until 2012.
  • Post-ABC Career:

    • After leaving ABC, Sy worked as a senior editor and correspondent at Everyday Health from 2012 to 2013. She then joined Al Jazeera America, where she anchored various newscasts and conducted interviews until the network’s closure in 2016. During this time, she also freelanced for Yahoo News, CBSN, and CNN International.
  • PBS NewsHour:

    • In 2019, Sy joined PBS NewsHour as the anchor of PBS NewsHour West and a correspondent for the PBS NewsHour. She covers major national issues from Washington, D.C., and across the country.
  • Awards and Recognition:

    • Sy has received several awards for her work, including the Overseas Press Club Award for her reporting on the Sichuan earthquake in 2008, a Business Emmy for her contributions to the ABC World News report on the Global Food Crisis, and a Gracie Award for her interview with Gloria Steinem on Al Jazeera America.
  • Current Role:

    • Sy continues to serve as the anchor of PBS NewsHour West and a correspondent for the PBS NewsHour, contributing to the network’s mission of providing reliable, in-depth reporting and analysis.

Stephanie Sy has reported on numerous significant events throughout her career. Here are some of her notable stories and reports:

  • Sichuan Earthquake (2008): Sy received an Overseas Press Club Award for her breaking news reports from the Sichuan earthquake in China while working for ABC News.
  • Global Food Crisis (2008): She contributed to the ABC World News report on the Global Food Crisis, which earned her a Business Emmy.
  • Iraq War (2003): As a military reporter for WTKR, Sy was embedded in Iraq during the 2003 invasion, and her coverage won her an Associated Press award.
  • London Terror Attacks (2005): While based in London for ABC News, Sy reported on the terror attacks on the city’s public transportation system.
  • Times Square Bombing Attempt (2010): Sy covered the attempted bombing in Times Square while working for ABC News.
  • Death of Pope John Paul II (2005): She reported on the death of Pope John Paul II while working for ABC News.
  • Olympic Games: Sy covered three Olympic Games, showcasing her versatility as a journalist.
  • Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage Ruling (2015): While at Al Jazeera America, Sy anchored coverage of the Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage.
  • Re-opening of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba (2015): She reported on the historic re-opening of the U.S. embassy in Cuba.
  • Interview with Gloria Steinem (2015): Sy’s interview with Gloria Steinem on Al Jazeera America won a Gracie Award.

Stephanie Sy works with several talented colleagues at PBS NewsHour. Some of her close colleagues include:

  • Judy Woodruff: The primary anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, with over four decades of reporting experience.
  • Richard Coolidge: The senior producer of PBS NewsHour West, based at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
  • Hari Sreenivasan: An anchor and correspondent for PBS NewsHour, known for his work on the weekend editions.
  • Paul Solman: The economics correspondent for PBS NewsHour, who covers a wide range of economic issues.
  • Lisa Desjardins: A correspondent for PBS NewsHour, focusing on Congress and the White House.

These colleagues contribute to the dynamic and collaborative environment at PBS NewsHour, making it a leading source for news and analysis.

Stephanie Sy Husband

Stephanie Sy is married to David Jensen Ariosto, a supervising producer for NPR’s All Things Considered.

They tied the knot on June 17, 2017, in Point Dume, Malibu. Both Stephanie and David were previously married, and Stephanie has a daughter named Isabel from her previous marriage.

The couple welcomed their first child together in December 2019.

Stephanie Sy Salary | Net Worth

As a well-established journalist, Sy’s salary reflects her experience and contributions to PBS NewsHour.

While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, her annual income is estimated to be in the range of $100,000 to $150,000.

Her estimated net worth is around $1 million to $2 million, earned from her years of dedicated work in the media industry.

Stephanie Sy Married

Yes, Stephanie Sy is happily married to David Jensen Ariosto, a supervising producer for NPR’s All Things Considered. They married on June 17, 2017, and Sy has a daughter from a previous marriage.

How Old Is Stephanie Sy?

Stephanie Sy is 47 years old as of 2024. Born on January 16, 1977, she continues to be active and influential in her field, bringing valuable insights and experience to her role at PBS NewsHour.

Where Is Stephanie Sy?

Stephanie Sy is currently based in Phoenix, Arizona, where she anchors PBS NewsHour West. Her role at PBS NewsHour involves covering news for West Coast viewers and contributing to the main program, often providing updates on significant events as they unfold in real time.


Yes, Stephanie Sy is active on social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. She uses these platforms to share insights on current events, news stories, and updates on her career.

Sy’s social media presence allows her to connect with her audience and showcase her thoughts on journalism and the issues she covers.

She also occasionally shares glimpses of her personal life, including family moments, offering fans and followers a more personal view of her life beyond the newsroom.