(1961-)

Who Is George Stephanopoulos?

George Stephanopoulos was born to first-generation Greek-American parents in 1961 in Fall River, Massachusetts. He began his career in Washington, D.C., as an aide to an Ohio congressman and later helped with Bill Clinton’s 1991 presidential campaign, becoming a trusted advisor post-election. Stephanopoulos eventually joined the staff of ABC News, serving as anchor for This Week and co-host of Good Morning America.

Background and Education

George Stephanopoulos was born on February 10, 1961, in Fall River, Massachusetts. The son of first-generation Greek-American parents, Stephanopoulos grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Columbia University and in 1983 won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, where he received a master’s degree in theology.

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Clinton Senior Advisor

Stephanopoulos began his career in Washington, D.C., as an aide to Ohio Congressman Ed Feighan. He later served as Feighan’s chief of staff before leaving to work on the unsuccessful 1988 presidential campaign of fellow Greek-American liberal Democrat Michael Dukakis. Stephanopoulos returned to Washington in 1989 and landed a job as executive floor assistant to House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt.

In 1991, Stephanopoulos signed on as deputy campaign manager for communications with the Democratic presidential campaign of Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. After Clinton’s victory in 1992, Stephanopoulos became one of the new president’s most trusted aides, serving as senior advisor for policy and strategy during the administration’s first term. Stephanopoulos’ initiatives most notably focused on crime legislation, affirmative action and the health-care plan spearheaded by Hillary Clinton.

Shortly after Clinton’s reelection in 1996, Stephanopoulos resigned from the administration, citing stress, fatigue and depression.

Top Anchor for ABC News

Moving to New York City, Stephanopoulos took on work as a professor of government at Columbia University and a political commentator and analyst for ABC News.

In 1999, he published a book about his experience working with Clinton entitled All Too Human: A Political Education, which went to No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list.

In 2002, Stephanopoulos became host of ABC’s political program This Week, holding the position until 2010 and then returning to the show’s anchor seat in 2012. He has also gone on to co-host Good Morning America and serve as chief anchor of ABC News.

Wife and Coronavirus

In November 2001, Stephanopoulos married actress and author Ali Wentworth, with whom he has two daughters.

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In the spring of 2020, the news anchor and his wife were among the high-profile individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus.

QUICK FACTS

  • Name: George Stephanopoulos
  • Birth Year: 1961
  • Birth date: February 10, 1961
  • Birth State: Massachusetts
  • Birth City: Fall River
  • Birth Country: United States
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: George Stephanopoulos was one of President Bill Clinton’s most trusted aides during his first term. He later achieved success as a TV news anchor, political correspondent and host.
  • Industries
    • U.S. Politics
    • Journalism and Nonfiction
  • Astrological Sign: Aquarius
  • Schools
    • Columbia University
    • Oxford University

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CITATION INFORMATION

  • Article Title: George Stephanopoulos Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/george-stephanopoulos
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: May 25, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014