Ever wonder what it takes to wake up at 3 AM every day and still smile on camera? Tanja Babich has been doing exactly that for over a decade at ABC7 Chicago, and her story might surprise you. From a Canadian immigrant with big dreams to becoming one of Chicago’s most trusted morning news anchors, she’s built something pretty special.
What makes Tanja different from other news personalities? She’s not just reading teleprompters – she’s genuinely connecting with viewers through her multicultural background and real-life experiences. When her daughter felt embarrassed about wearing glasses, Tanja wore hers on air for a week, sparking a nationwide conversation about self-confidence.
Let me walk you through how a government major from Cornell University became an Emmy Award-winning journalist who’s changing morning television. Her journey from Toronto to the Windy City is way more interesting than you might expect.
Tanja Babich Bio/Wiki
| Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Tanja Babich |
| Birth Date | June 29, 1980 |
| Birth Place | Toronto, Canada |
| Nationality | American (naturalized April 2013) |
| Heritage | Serbian-Chilean |
| Education | Cornell University (BA Government), Northwestern University Medill School (Master’s Journalism) |
| Career Start | 2011 (Syracuse, NY) |
| ABC7 Start | January 2014 |
| Current Role | Morning and Midday News Anchor |
| Spouse | Paul Durbin (married July 7, 2018) |
| Children | Adelaide, Lola, Josephine Emily |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Serbian |
| Awards | Emmy Award-winning anchor |
| Social Media | @BabichABC7, @tanjababich |
Tanja Babich Personal Background
Picture this: a young girl growing up in Toronto with parents from Chile and Serbia, speaking four languages at the dinner table. That’s Tanja Babich’s reality, born on June 29, 1980, in a household where diversity wasn’t just welcomed – it was lived every single day.
Her Serbian-Chilean heritage shaped everything about how she sees the world. While other kids were struggling with one language, Tanja was mastering English, French, Spanish, and Serbian like it was no big deal. This linguistic superpower would later become her secret weapon in connecting with Chicago’s multicultural community.
The real turning point came in April 2013 when she proudly became a United States citizen. Just imagine the emotions – leaving behind everything familiar in Canada to chase the American dream as a first-generation college student. That citizenship ceremony happened just one year before she landed at ABC7.
Education
Here’s where Tanja’s story gets really interesting. She didn’t grow up dreaming of being on TV – she was actually headed toward becoming an intelligence officer after graduating from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in Government. Yeah, you read that right. We could’ve been watching her in spy movies instead of morning news.
The career pivot happened during a random public speaking engagement where a city official noticed her natural communication skills. Within weeks, she was applying to Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. Talk about a life-changing moment – one conversation completely redirected her future.
Getting accepted to Medill isn’t easy, but Tanja made it look effortless. She earned her Master’s degree there, which became the foundation for everything that followed. Sometimes the best career moves are the ones you never see coming, right?
Tanja Babich Professional Career
Tanja’s professional journey started in Syracuse, New York, where she spent three years from 2011 to 2014 anchoring the top-rated morning newscast at WSYR-TV. She wasn’t just reading news – she was also hosting Bridge Street, the market’s only weekday morning talk show that highlighted community stories.
Moving to Chicago in January 2014 as a general assignment reporter at ABC7, she quickly proved she belonged in the big leagues. Her promotion to morning news anchor came in September 2016, and by June 2018, she added the midday newscast to her responsibilities.
Today, Tanja anchors ABC7 Chicago’s Eyewitness News in the Morning from 4:30 AM to 7:00 AM and again from 11:00 AM to noon. Those early morning hours might sound brutal, but she’s turned them into her domain, becoming the face that thousands of Chicagoans trust to start their day. (via ABC7Chicago)
Notable Career Highlights: Stories That Matter
Want to know what sets Tanja apart? Her most thrilling assignment involved flying with the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds for almost an hour and a half, experiencing 9.4Gs – basically the kind of force that would make most of us pass out.
Following Pope Francis on his first U.S. visit showcased her ability to cover major international events. She also reported from President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, capturing one of the most historic moments in American politics. These aren’t just assignments – they’re career-defining moments.
Her investigative work on the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme’s impact on labor unions helped thousands of tradesmen and women track down their stolen money. This kind of journalism makes a real difference in people’s lives, and Tanja has built her reputation on stories that actually matter.
Tanja Babich Personal Life
Tanja married Paul Durbin on July 7, 2018, four years after joining ABC7. Their love story is pretty sweet – finding someone who understands the crazy schedule of morning television isn’t easy, but Paul has been her rock through all the career highs and challenges.
In a touching anniversary post, Tanja shared: ‘It took me all of five seconds to fall in love with him… and, now, five years into married/modern family life, I love him – and us – even more. Happy anniversary PD. You’re stuck with me. 🤍’
She’s a mom to three daughters: Adelaide (her oldest, around 10), Lola (from a previous relationship), and Josephine Emily (born May 22, 2019). Raising three kids while anchoring morning news? That’s some serious juggling skills right there.
Tanja’s love for her daughters is evident throughout her social media posts. In one particularly heartwarming Instagram post, she captioned: ‘My whole world revolves around these three, so every day in our house is #NationalDaughterDay. 💕’
The glasses story from 2020 shows what kind of mom she is. When Adelaide felt self-conscious about wearing glasses during virtual learning, Tanja wore hers on air for an entire week. The response was incredible – thousands of families shared photos of their kids wearing glasses, creating a movement about self-acceptance that reached the Chicago Tribune and Washington Post. (Chicago Tribune)
Community Involvement: Making Real Change
Tanja serves on the board of HFS Chicago Scholars, providing financial support and mentoring to area high school students. She’s not just writing checks – she’s actively involved in helping kids who remind her of her own journey as a first-generation college student.
Her biggest community project is Lake Affect Chicago, a children’s camping retreat she founded in partnership with The Wood Family Foundation and Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This isn’t just summer camp – it’s about giving kids experiences that shape their confidence and worldview.
She’s also a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, supporting underrepresented communities in journalism despite her Serbian and Chilean heritage. This shows her commitment to lifting up others, regardless of their specific background.
Professional Recognition: Awards and Achievements
Tanja is an Emmy Award-winning anchor, though she doesn’t make a big deal about it. What matters more to her is the daily connection with viewers and the trust they place in her to deliver the news with integrity and warmth.
Her voice work on the Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls podcast expanded her reach beyond traditional news, showing her versatility as a media personality. She’s also narrated stories about exceptional women in history, which aligns perfectly with her own inspiring journey.
In 2025, she co-hosted the Chicago Pride Parade broadcast with Hosea Sanders and Jason Knowles. She also served as emcee for Chicago’s 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Soldier Field, demonstrating her commitment to health awareness causes.
Tanja Babich Net Worth and Financial Information
While Tanja keeps her financial details private, morning news anchors in major markets like Chicago typically earn between $75,000 to $200,000 annually. Her decade-plus experience at ABC7 and Emmy Award-winning status likely puts her in the higher range. (TheFamousInfo)
Her community work with Lake Affect Chicago and HFS Chicago Scholars shows she’s using her platform for good. Building wealth while giving back to the community – that’s the kind of success story we can all respect.
The real value she brings isn’t just monetary – it’s the trust and credibility she’s built with Chicago viewers over the years. That kind of reputation takes time to build and is worth more than any salary figure.
Tanja Babich Digital Presence
Tanja maintains active social media across platforms: Twitter: @BabichABC7, Instagram: @tanjababich, and Facebook: Tanja Babich ABC7. She uses these platforms to share behind-the-scenes moments, community initiatives, and personal milestones that help viewers feel connected to her beyond the newsroom.
Her Instagram gives fans a glimpse into her family life, showing how she balances being a mom with her demanding career. The authenticity in her posts – whether it’s celebrating her daughters’ achievements or sharing health awareness messages – keeps her audience engaged.
During her COVID-19 experience in 2022, she used social media to update viewers about her condition and recovery. This transparency created an even stronger bond with her audience, showing that she’s real and relatable, not just a TV personality. (Distractify)
Unique Characteristics and Qualities
Tanja’s multilingual abilities set her apart in Chicago’s diverse media landscape. Speaking English, French, conversational Spanish, and Serbian allows her to connect with different communities in ways that monolingual anchors simply can’t match.
Her health advocacy work is particularly impressive. She’s been open about her colorectal cancer screening experience, sharing that she had more than 30 polyps removed despite having no family history. This kind of health transparency helps viewers feel comfortable discussing their own health concerns.
Her approach to journalism balances hard news with human interest stories. Whether she’s covering major events or highlighting local community heroes like Chef Joe Frillman in southwest Michigan, she brings the same level of professionalism and genuine curiosity to every story.
Current Status (2025): Still Making Waves
As of 2025, Tanja continues anchoring ABC7 Chicago’s morning and midday newscasts, maintaining her position as one of the market’s most recognizable news personalities. Her recent coverage of major Chicago events shows she’s still at the top of her game. (via ABC7 Eyewitness News)
Her daughters are growing up, with Adelaide now around 10 years old, Lola developing her own interests, and Josephine Emily becoming more active. Watching her balance motherhood with her demanding career continues to inspire working parents across Chicago.
The impact of her glasses story from 2020 continues to resonate, with parents still sharing how Tanja’s simple gesture helped their children feel more confident. That’s the kind of lasting impact that goes way beyond traditional journalism.
Legacy and Impact: More Than Just News
Tanja Babich represents a new generation of news anchors who understand that their role extends beyond reading teleprompters. She’s using her platform to address real issues, from children’s self-confidence to health awareness, creating conversations that matter.
Her immigrant success story resonates with many viewers who see their own struggles and dreams reflected in her journey. From Toronto to Chicago, from government major to Emmy Award-winning anchor, she’s living proof that the American dream is still possible with hard work and determination.
Her community involvement through Lake Affect Chicago and HFS Chicago Scholars shows she’s thinking beyond her own success. She’s creating opportunities for the next generation, particularly kids who might face similar challenges she overcame as a first-generation college student.
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Conclusion
Tanja Babich isn’t just another pretty face reading news – she’s a genuine community leader who happens to work in television. Her journey from Canadian immigrant to Emmy Award-winning anchor shows what’s possible when you combine talent with authenticity and hard work.
What makes her special isn’t just her professional success, but how she uses her platform to make a real difference. From helping kids feel confident about wearing glasses to raising awareness about health issues, she’s proving that modern journalism can be both informative and genuinely helpful.
Her story continues to unfold, and if the past decade is any indication, Tanja will keep finding ways to surprise and inspire us. She’s not just reporting the news – she’s making it, one genuine conversation at a time.
FAQ’s About Tanja Babich
What time does Tanja Babich wake up for her morning show?
She likely wakes up around 3:00 AM to prepare for her 4:30 AM newscast, making her one of the earliest risers in Chicago media.
How many languages does Tanja Babich speak?
She speaks four languages: English, French, conversational Spanish, and Serbian, reflecting her multicultural background.
What made Tanja Babich’s glasses story go viral?
When her daughter felt self-conscious about wearing glasses, Tanja wore hers on air for a week, inspiring thousands of families nationwide.
Is Tanja Babich originally from Chicago?
No, she was born in Toronto, Canada, and became a U.S. citizen in April 2013, one year before joining ABC7.
What community work does Tanja Babich do?
She founded Lake Affect Chicago camping retreat and serves on the board of HFS Chicago Scholars, supporting local students.
How long has Tanja Babich been at ABC7 Chicago?
She joined ABC7 in January 2014 and has been anchoring morning news since September 2016.
What was Tanja Babich’s most exciting news assignment?
Flying with the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds for almost 90 minutes and experiencing 9.4Gs was her most thrilling professional experience.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and official sources. Financial figures and personal details are approximations based on industry standards and public records.
Hi, I’m Ezell, and I’ve been writing celebrity biographies for 7 years and am your writer behind CelebsFloor. I focus on sharing real stories about famous people’s lives, careers, incomes and families. My goal is to give you clear, accurate information about actors, musicians, sports stars, and other celebrities.
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