María de la Soledad Teresa O'Brien (born September 19, 1966 in St. James, New York) is an American television journalist of Australian, Irish and Cuban heritage. She is currently the host of CNN Special Investigations Unit on CNN.
O'Brien is most known for anchoring the CNN marquee morning newscast American Morning from July 2003 April 3, 2007, with Miles O'Brien; their common surnames are coincidental.
She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Voted one of the 50 most beautiful people in the World 2000 by People Magazine.
Her mother Estella is a black high school teacher from Cuba and her father Edward is a white Australian of Irish descent and is a mechanical engineer . In the past few years, she has been honored by both Hispanic and Irish-American groups for her contributions to journalism. Studied at Smithtown High School East in St. James, N.Y., and went to Harvard but dropped out at age 21 to become a newswriter and producer at Boston's WBZ-TV.
Has a brother named Orestes.
Daughter Sophia Elizabeth born October 23, 2000 at 4:55 am.
(March 2002) It was announced she is pregnant for a second time, and will be taking a six-week maternity leave.
(March 20, 2002) Gave birth to second daughter Cecilia.
Expecting twins in summer, 2004.
Both parents are immigrants. Father is Australian, mother is Cuban.
Her name means "the Blessed Virgin Mary of Solitude" in Spanish.
(August 30, 2004) She gave birth to twin boys: Charlie was born at 6:23 p.m. weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce and Jackson was born at 6:27 p.m. weighing in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces.
(30 August 2004) Twins, Charlie and Jackson, born.
She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. O'Brien also serves on the board of directors for The Harlem School for the Arts.
Recipient of NAACP Image Award.
Friend of Spike Lee.
