Jeffrey Dean Zeleny Biography
Jeffrey Dean Zeleny, born on June 10, 1973, is an American journalist currently serving as CNN’s chief national affairs correspondent. Before joining CNN, he held the role of senior Washington correspondent at ABC News. Zeleny, who hails from Exeter, Nebraska, boasts Czech ancestry on both sides of his family and is openly gay. He began his career in newspapers, earning a Pulitzer Prize during his tenure at the Chicago Tribune. His transition to broadcast journalism included stints covering presidential campaigns and politics for The New York Times before moving to ABC News. Joining CNN in 2015, he initially served as a Senior White House Correspondent and later assumed the position of Chief National Affairs Correspondent in 2021.
Jeffrey Dean Zeleny age and birthday
American journalist Jeffrey Dean Zeleny was born on June 10, 1973, in Exeter, Nebraska. His astrological sign is Gemini.
Jeffrey Dean Zeleny height and weight
American journalist Jeffrey Dean Zeleny is of average height, standing at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm), and maintains a body weight of around 58 kilograms. He has dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.
Jeffrey Dean Zeleny educational background
Accomplished American journalist Jeffrey Dean Zeleny began his path to success at Exeter High School in Nebraska, where he wrote sports stories for the York News-Times. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska, majoring in journalism and political science, and was editor of the Daily Nebraskan while also participating in the university’s marching band. Zeleny’s educational background laid the groundwork for a distinguished journalism career that includes notable positions at The Des Moines Register, Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, ABC News, and currently CNN. Known for his dedication to reporting and storytelling, Zeleny has made a significant impact in the field of journalism.
Jeffrey Dean Zeleny spouse and children
Dean Zeleny is openly gay and has been in a committed relationship with Andy Humm, originally from Minnesota. They first met at a CNN holiday party in 2011 and began dating shortly thereafter. Their engagement followed in 2013, culminating in their marriage the following year. They currently live together in Washington, D.C., sharing their home with their two cherished dogs. Zeleny’s personal life demonstrates a harmonious blend of career dedication and personal fulfillment alongside his partner.
Jeffrey Dean Zeleny parents and siblings
He grew up on a family farm with his parents, Diane Naomi (née Yeck) and Robert Dean Zeleny, and his two older brothers, James Robert and Michael Jon Zeleny. Jeffrey’s Czech ancestry from both sides of the family traces back to Bohemia and Moravia. Notably, the surname “Zeleny” translates to “green” in Czech. Jeffrey is openly gay, adding to the diversity of his personal background.
Jeffrey Dean Zeleny’s career
Zeleny is a highly regarded American journalist whose career has spanned several prestigious news organizations. His early foray into journalism began during his high school years at Exeter High School in Nebraska, where he contributed sports stories to the York News-Times. At the University of Nebraska, he studied journalism and political science, serving as editor of the Daily Nebraskan, the university’s newspaper, which provided a foundation for his future career.
Zeleny’s professional journey took off with internships at notable publications such as The Wall Street Journal, the Florida Times-Union, and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. In 1996, he joined The Des Moines Register, transitioning from sports reporting to political journalism, focusing particularly on the Iowa caucuses. His career advanced further at the Chicago Tribune in 2000, where his coverage of presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004, along with an award-winning series on air traffic control issues, earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism.
After moving to The New York Times in 2006, Zeleny continued his impactful reporting as a political correspondent, notably covering the 2012 presidential election. He gained recognition for asking President Barack Obama a notable question during a critical press conference. In 2013, he joined ABC News as a senior Washington correspondent, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and insightful journalist.
Since 2015, Dean Zeleny has been an integral part of CNN’s team, initially as Senior White House Correspondent and later transitioning to Chief National Affairs Correspondent in January 2021. His career trajectory exemplifies a dedication to high-quality journalism and thoughtful reporting across various platforms, reflecting his ongoing commitment to informing and engaging audiences worldwide.
Jeffrey Zeleny’s net worth and salary
He has a net worth of $1.5 million and generates an annual salary of $108,000.
Leave a Reply