Ellen Leyva ABC7 LA, Bio, Age, Husband, Salary & Net Worth

Ellen Leyva Biography | What Is Ellen Leyva known for?

Ellen Leyva is an American journalist best known for her long career as an ABC7 Los Angeles anchor. She spent nearly three decades delivering news across Southern California. Throughout her career, she earned respect for her professionalism, credibility, and connection with viewers.

Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Leyva grew up in a bilingual family. She frequently visited relatives in Mexico and became fluent in both English and Spanish. This background later helped her connect with diverse communities throughout her broadcasting career.

For her education, Ellen attended Arizona State University, where she studied broadcast journalism. Her dedication to the field led to her induction into the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism Hall of Fame in 2006.

Before becoming a household name in Los Angeles, her career included reporting and anchoring roles at several television stations. She joined ABC7 in 1995 as a health reporter. Soon afterward, she moved into anchoring positions and became one of the station’s most recognizable personalities.

During her time at ABC7, Ellen Leyva covered major local and national stories. She also interviewed prominent public figures and reported on events that shaped Southern California. In addition, her work earned recognition from several journalism and community organizations.

Beyond broadcasting, she participated in charitable initiatives and community outreach programs. Her commitment to public service strengthened her reputation both on and off the screen.

In 2025, Leyva’s retirement marked the end of a remarkable chapter in local television. After 29 years at ABC7, she signed off from her final newscast. Nevertheless, her contributions to journalism continue to inspire future broadcasters.

Ellen Leyva Age | How Old Is Ellen Leyva?

Ellen Leyva is 63 years old as of 2026. She was born in 1963 and built a distinguished career in broadcast journalism. Moreover, she became one of the most recognizable faces on ABC7 Los Angeles. Throughout her career, Leyva covered major news stories and earned industry recognition. Additionally, her 2025 retirement concluded nearly three decades of service at the station.

Ellen Leyva Height | How Tall Is Ellen Leyva?

Ellen Leyva stands at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters) tall. Her height complements her confident on-screen presence and professional appearance. Throughout her career, she became a familiar face on ABC7 Los Angeles. Moreover, her engaging delivery and journalism skills helped her build a strong reputation in broadcast news. Her successful television career spans nearly three decades.

Ellen Leyva Ethnicity | Is Ellen Leyva Mexican?

Ellen Leyva is of Hispanic heritage and Hispanic-American ethnicity. She grew up in Tucson, Arizona, in a bilingual household. Additionally, she spent much of her childhood with her mother’s family in Mexico. This cultural background helped shape her identity and career. Moreover, she has often credited her bilingual skills for helping her connect with Hispanic communities in Phoenix and Los Angeles. Throughout her career at ABC7 Los Angeles, she used her language skills and cultural understanding to serve diverse audiences effectively.

Ellen Leyva Education

Ellen Leyva earned her degree in Broadcast Journalism from Arizona State University. Her education provided a strong foundation for a successful career in television news. While at the university, she developed reporting, writing, and broadcasting skills that later shaped her professional journey. Moreover, her education helped prepare her for roles in competitive media markets. Her achievements in journalism led to her induction into the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Hall of Fame in 2006. This honor recognized her contributions to the broadcasting industry. Arizona State University remains an important part of Leyva’s background, reflecting the academic preparation behind her long and respected journalism career.

Ellen Leyva Husband | Is Ellen Leyva still married?

Ellen Leyva is married to Mark Hair, a former F-15 fighter pilot and commercial airline pilot. The couple met while Leyva worked as a journalist in Arizona. At the time, she interviewed Hair, and their professional connection later developed into a relationship. Leyva and Mark Hair married in 1990 and have built a lasting partnership. Together, they have two daughters, Emma and Audrey. Throughout her broadcasting career, she has occasionally shared details about her family life while maintaining privacy. Additionally, her husband’s aviation career and support have remained important parts of her personal journey alongside her successful television career.

Ellen Leyva Children | Daughters

Family has always played an important role in Leyva’s life. The longtime ABC7 Los Angeles anchor and her husband, Mark Hair, are proud parents of two daughters, Emma and Audrey. While building a successful journalism career, she balanced her professional responsibilities with motherhood. She has occasionally shared family moments with viewers, offering glimpses into her life away from the newsroom. However, she has generally kept her daughters out of the public spotlight. Both Emma Hair and Audrey Hair grew up while their mother worked in television news. As a result, they witnessed her dedication to journalism firsthand. Despite her public career, Leyva’s children have largely maintained private lives, reflecting the family’s preference for privacy.

Ellen Leyva Family | Siblings, and Parents

Ellen Leyva grew up in a close-knit Hispanic family in Tucson, Arizona. Her upbringing reflected both American and Mexican cultural traditions. As a result, she became fluent in English and Spanish at an early age. Ellen’s mother was Emma Leyva Duarte, who helped maintain strong family ties to Mexico. Those connections played an important role in shaping Leyva’s cultural identity and worldview. Additionally, she has a sister named Cindy. However, she has shared very little publicly about her siblings. Likewise, information about her father remains limited. Despite her public career, her family has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Instead, she has focused public attention on her journalism achievements and community involvement.

Ellen Leyva Career at ABC7 Los Angeles

Ellen Leyva built a distinguished career in broadcast journalism spanning more than three decades. After earning a degree in broadcast journalism from Arizona State University, she began working in local television news. Early in her career, she gained experience at stations in Arizona and other regional markets. A major turning point came in 1995 when Ellen Leyva joined ABC7 Los Angeles as a health reporter. Her reporting skills and on-air presence quickly earned recognition. Consequently, she advanced into anchoring roles and became one of the station’s most trusted journalists.

Over the years, her career included coverage of major local, national, and international stories. She anchored several ABC7 newscasts and interviewed numerous public figures. Additionally, her bilingual background helped her connect with Southern California’s diverse communities. Her contributions earned professional honors, including recognition from journalism and Hispanic media organizations. Furthermore, she became known for community involvement beyond the newsroom. In 2025, Leyva retired from ABC7 after 29 years with the station. Nevertheless, her legacy continues to influence aspiring journalists and broadcasters.

Ellen Leyva Awards and Achievements

Throughout her journalism career, Ellen Leyva earned recognition for her contributions to television news and community service. Her work at ABC7 Los Angeles helped establish her as one of Southern California’s most respected news anchors. Beyond formal awards, Ellen Leyva’s achievements include nearly 30 years at ABC7, coverage of major news events, and extensive community involvement. Furthermore, she supported organizations focused on mental health awareness and community outreach. As a result, her career earned admiration from colleagues and industry professionals alike.

Notable Awards and Honors

• Impact Award for Excellence in Television – National Hispanic Media Coalition
• Walter Cronkite School Hall of Fame Inductee (2006)
• Recognition for Community Service and Advocacy
• Nearly 30 Years of Distinguished Journalism at ABC7 Los Angeles

Ellen Leyva Salary

Ellen Leyva’s salary remains private, as the veteran anchor has not released official earnings details. She likely earned a six-figure annual income during her time at ABC7.Throughout her career, Leyva held prominent roles at ABC7, including co-anchoring major evening newscasts. Therefore, she earned a competitive salary typical of experienced anchors in a major television market.

Ellen Leyva Net Worth

Ellen Leyva’s net worth is estimated to range between $1 million and $5 million. This estimate reflects her long and successful career in broadcast journalism. She spent nearly 30 years at ABC7 Los Angeles, where she served as a respected news anchor and reporter. Additionally, Ellen Leyva’s career earnings likely benefited from her senior anchoring roles, public appearances, and industry recognition. Her professional achievements include induction into the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism Hall of Fame and receiving the Impact Award for Excellence in Television.

Ellen Leyva Biography Summary