Karen Swensen may have been a new face to viewers of NBC’s Today Show when Hoda Kotb first introduced her, but that’s not the case in her hometown of New Orleans. So who is Hoda’s best friend, Karen Swensen?
Find out all about Karen in this article below. Here we cover details related to her children, husband, job and relatives.
Meet Karen Swensen, friend of Hoda Kotb
NBC’s Today Show has been a morning news staple for a large demographic since 1952. The show has been on the air for 70 years and has had various co-hosts including Al Roker, Jenna Bush Hager, and Savannah Guthrie, to name a few. . Since 1998, viewers have grown accustomed to seeing Today co-host Hoda Kotb.
However, in 2022, Hoda surprised her fans by introducing her best friend Karen Swensen to the show. The duo introduced viewers to a new show called change chapter.
Hoda spoke about Karen, saying, “Karen has gracefully navigated a myriad of changes throughout her life and now she wants to share the inspiring stories of others who are doing the same.”
Karen and Hoda have known each other and been friends for decades. They met while working at WWL-TV in 1994. Hoda is so devoted to her friend that she reportedly named her daughter Hope Catherine Kotb after Karen’s daughter.
Hoda admired her because she could bear all the hardships she “charmingly” faced in her life, but more on that later.
Karen Swensen’s husband
Karen Swensen was married to her husband John Patrick Ronquillo (@john.ronquillo.12). Supposedly, they got married sometime in 2000.
John graduated from De La Salle High School (Class of 1972). He played soccer and was the captain of the school soccer team. He also competed in track and field and was an All-American wrestler. As a teenager, he boxed at St. Mary’s Italian Gym in the French Quarter, and at 17 he faced heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. He received a scholarship to Tulane University in 1976 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history.
He was co-captain of the Zeleni val soccer club. A few months after graduation, John found his true calling as a member of the New Orleans Police Department, where he served for 30 years. His assignments included SWAT, the Police Academy, and the Motorcycle Squad. He served as an NOPD homicide detective for 20 years in the Major Cases Division. John also bravely served the NOPD and the people of New Orleans in the Superdome during Hurricane Katrina.
After retiring from the NOPD, John joined the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office in 2011 as an investigator. John was inducted into the La Salle Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. He was a member and former officer of Council #3729 of the Knights of St. Dominic, which named him Knight of the Year in 2015.
Husband’s Illness/Cancer Karen Swensen
Sadly, Karen Swensen lost her husband John Ronquill on September 4, 2018 at the age of 64 after a long battle with cancer. Many people paid tribute to her after her death, including Hoda. Hoda also promoted Swensen’s lifestyle brand, Life’s About Change, which she founded in memory of her late husband.
Children of Karen Swensen
Karen and John had a daughter named Catherine Grace Ronquillo (@catherine.ronquillo.336) and a stepson named Matthew Jude Ronquillo.
Catherine started school at New York University in September 2021. Karen often shows her daughter on her IG.
Born in January 1977, Mathew is 45 years old. He graduated from Acadiana High School and attended Tulane University. He works as a graduate psychiatric nurse in Amedisys Home Health.
Matthew is married to his wife Courtney, with whom he shares a daughter. He and his family live in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Is Karen Swensen on Instagram?
Yes, you can find Karen Swensen on Instagram. Her IG name is (@karenswensen). She also has a Facebook account (@karen.ronquillo.963).
Karen Swensen Age
In March 2022, Karen Swensen turned 53 years old.
Karen Swensen’s Business
Karen Swensen has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in Spanish from Pennsylvania State University, as well as a master’s degree in journalism. In 1993, she began her television career in New Orleans.
Her parents moved to NOLA at that time and she fell in love with the city and decided to stay after visiting after college.
For the first time, he got a job at WWL-TV. She started out as a production assistant and progressed to being a reporter and live host.
Karen met Hoda Kotb when she first worked at WWL. Swensen was a researcher at the CBS affiliate in New Orleans when the Today host was a host. They formed a lifelong bond, as evidenced by Kotb’s frequent mentions of her best friend on social media.
She moved to Boston in 2006 to be closer to her parents for family reasons. She joined NECN, where she focused much of her New Orleans reporting, particularly on Louisiana’s disaster recovery.
Karen couldn’t be away from Crescent City for long. She is back in town and at WWL 2010. She is best known for her investigative and hurricane reporting, for which she has won numerous awards.
An inspirational journalist, Karen retired from broadcasting in February 2022. February 23 was her last day on air on WWL-TV.
Related FAQ
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When is Karen Swensen’s birthday?
Karen Swensen celebrates her birthday on March 2.
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Where is Karen Swensen from?
Originally from Tampa, Florida, Karen Swensen was born to parents Richard and Catherine Swensen. Her parents celebrated her 58th wedding anniversary in November 2021.
His father worked for the FBI and after he retired he went on to head the New England Department of Homeland Security. While his mother Catherine was a teacher by profession. Richard and his family briefly lived across the street from Vince Vaughn before his fame when he moved his family to Chicago during his career. According to Karen’s social media, Richard and Catherine are currently in Boston.
Karen also lived in Chicago, Illinois, Virginia, and Arizona due to her father’s job.
Additionally, Karen has two siblings: Kimberly Swensen and Scott Swensen.
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What is the salary and net worth of Karen Swensen?
Karen Swensen has a net worth of less than $600K. Meanwhile, her net worth should have been over $50,000.
Categories: Biography
Source: newstars.edu.vn