Ginger Zee: Husband, Children, Parents, Net Worth, Salary, Nationality, Age, Height & More

Ginger Zee is an American meteorologist, television personality, and author best known as ABC News' chief meteorologist. She is a familiar face on Good Morning America and across ABC News, where she has reported from hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, blizzards and other major weather events.

Zee has built a career around communicating complicated weather and climate science to a mainstream audience. She also has a strong interest in adventure, having participated in activities ranging from skydiving and paragliding to storm chasing.

Away from television, Zee is married to television personality Ben Aaron, and the couple has two sons, Adrian and Miles. She has also written memoirs about her career and personal struggles.

Quick Facts About Ginger Zee

●      Full name: Ginger Renée Zuidgeest

●      Married name: Ginger Renée Colonomos

●      Professional name: Ginger Zee

●      Born: January 13, 1981

●      Age: 45

●      Birthplace: Orange, California, U.S.

●      Nationality: American

●      Profession: Meteorologist, television personality, author

●      Current employer: ABC News

●      Current role: Chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent

●      Education: Valparaiso University

●      Degree: B.S. in meteorology

●      Husband: Ben Aaron

●      Marriage: June 7, 2014

●      Children: Two sons

●      Sons: Adrian and Miles

How Old Is Ginger Zee?

Ginger Zee was born on January 13, 1981, in Orange, California.

She is 45 years old.

Although she was born in California, her family moved to Michigan when she was less than a year old. She subsequently grew up in Michigan and attended Rockford High School.

Her interest in meteorology began when she was a child. Zee has recalled seeing a waterspout over Lake Michigan when she was eight years old and being fascinated by it.

That early fascination eventually became her career.

What Is Ginger Zee's Real Name?

Ginger Zee's birth name is Ginger Renée Zuidgeest.

She later became known professionally as Ginger Zee.

Her married name is Ginger Renée Colonomos, although she continues to use Ginger Zee professionally.

Her unusual first name also has an interesting story.

Why Is She Called Ginger Zee?

Zee was named Ginger after the character Ginger Grant from Gilligan's Island.

Her father was Dutch and reportedly watched Gilligan's Island while learning English after moving to the United States. He particularly liked the character Ginger and chose the name for his daughter.

The name therefore has nothing to do with her professional career in weather.

What Is Ginger Zee's Nationality?

Ginger Zee is American.

She was born in Orange, California, and grew up primarily in Michigan. Her father, Robert Zuidgeest, was Dutch, and her paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands.

Therefore, Zee has Dutch ancestry through her father's side of the family.

Who Are Ginger Zee's Parents?

Ginger Zee's biological parents are Robert O. "Bob" Zuidgeest and Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft.

Her father is of Dutch origin, while her mother is Dawn, who later married Carl Craft.

Zee has spoken publicly about her childhood and her parents' divorce. She has also described her paternal grandmother, Hilda Zuidgeest, as an important source of stability during that period.

Does Ginger Zee Have Siblings?

Yes.

Public biographical sources identify Zee as having siblings and half-siblings, including Sean Jeffrey Zuidgeest, Walter "Wally" Zuidgeest, Adrianna Craft and Elaina Craft. Her stepfather is Carl John Craft.

Zee's family background therefore includes both her biological siblings and her mother's later family.

Who Is Ginger Zee's Husband?

Ginger Zee's husband is Ben Aaron, the television personality and former WNBC host.

Aaron's full name is Benjamin Aaron Colonomos. He has worked as a television host, correspondent, and reporter and has appeared on programs including New York Live.

Zee and Aaron became engaged in August 2013 and married the following year.

When Did Ginger Zee and Ben Aaron Get Married?

Ginger Zee and Ben Aaron married on June 7, 2014, in Michigan near Zee's hometown.

UPI reported that the wedding took place in the Bay Harbor area of Michigan, with family and friends attending the ceremony and reception.

The couple has now been married for more than a decade.

How Many Children Does Ginger Zee Have?

Ginger Zee and Ben Aaron have two children, both sons:

●      Adrian Benjamin Colonomos

●      Miles Macklin Colonomos

Their first son, Adrian, was born in December 2015.

Their second son, Miles, was born on February 9, 2018, in New York City.

Zee has frequently discussed motherhood and balancing parenting with her demanding career as a meteorologist.

Who Is Ginger Zee's First Son?

Ginger Zee's first son is Adrian Benjamin Colonomos.

He was born in New York City in December 2015 and weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces at birth.

Zee has occasionally shared stories about Adrian through ABC News, including his adjustment to becoming an older brother.

Who Is Ginger Zee's Second Son?

Her second son is Miles Macklin Colonomos.

Miles was born on February 9, 2018. ABC News reported that he weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 21.5 inches long at birth.

Zee has spoken about raising her two boys and even discussed the challenge of getting enough sleep while caring for Miles as a baby.

Where Did Ginger Zee Go to College?

Zee attended Valparaiso University in Indiana.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology.

According to ABC News, she also served as an adjunct professor at Valparaiso University from 2008 to 2011. She holds the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) Seal.

Her academic background is particularly relevant because she did not originally study journalism or television.

As she has explained, her training was in meteorology.

When Did Ginger Zee Start Her Career?

Zee began her broadcasting career in Michigan and Indiana.

Her early career included work at:

●      WLAV FM/WXMI in Grand Rapids, Michigan

●      WYIN PBS in Merrillville, Indiana

●      WEYI NBC 25 in Flint, Michigan

●      WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan

ABC's biography says she worked at WEYI from 2003 to 2005, followed by WOOD-TV, where she worked on Storm Team 8.

She later moved to Chicago and worked for WMAQ-TV, an NBC station, from 2006 to 2011.

When Did Ginger Zee Join ABC News?

Ginger Zee joined ABC News in 2011.

She initially became the network's weekend meteorologist for Good Morning America. Her national profile grew rapidly after joining ABC.

In December 2013, ABC announced that Zee would become the chief meteorologist for the weekday edition of Good Morning America and weather editor for ABC News.

She has remained a prominent weather personality at the network ever since.

What Is Ginger Zee's Current Job?

Ginger Zee is ABC News' chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent.

ABC says she reports on weather for Good Morning America and across ABC News' programs and digital platforms.

Her work has taken her to the scenes of major natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and blizzards. She has reported from locations affected by Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Matthew and numerous tornado outbreaks.

Her current work also increasingly includes climate science and environmental issues.

What Is Ginger Zee's Role as Chief Climate Correspondent?

In addition to forecasting weather, Zee now focuses significantly on climate and environmental science.

For ABC News Live, she has hosted climate specials and has a recurring segment called Climate A to Zee.

ABC says she aims to explain the science behind the climate crisis while highlighting potential solutions and developments around the world.

This represents an expansion of her career beyond traditional weather forecasting.

What Major Weather Events Has Ginger Zee Covered?

Throughout her ABC career, Zee has reported from many significant weather events.

Her coverage has included:

●      Hurricanes

●      Tornadoes

●      Wildfires

●      Floods

●      Blizzards

●      Extreme heat

●      Major winter storms

●      Other severe-weather events

ABC's biography notes that she has reported from the Jersey Shore after Hurricane Sandy, Colorado during floods and wildfires, and locations affected by tornadoes in Oklahoma. More recently, she reported from the eyewall of Hurricane Helene.

Did Ginger Zee Compete on Dancing With the Stars?

Yes.

Zee competed on Season 22 of Dancing With the Stars in 2016.

Her professional dance partner was Val Chmerkovskiy, who had previously won the competition.

The pair ultimately finished in third place, according to biographical records.

Her participation was particularly notable because she returned to Good Morning America after maternity leave shortly before competing.

Has Ginger Zee Written Books?

Yes.

Zee is also an author.

Her books include:

●      Natural Disaster: I Cover Them. I Am One (2017)

●      Chasing Helicity (2018)

●      A Little Closer to Home: How I Found the Calm After the Storm (2022)

ABC's current biography says she is the author of five books, including the bestseller Natural Disaster and her memoir A Little Closer to Home.

Her books combine weather, personal experiences, mental health, family, and resilience.

What Is Natural Disaster About?

Natural Disaster: I Cover Them. I Am One is Zee's 2017 memoir.

In the book, she revealed that she had struggled with depression, an eating disorder, and self-harm, and that she had sought professional treatment.

ABC reported that Zee checked herself into a mental health hospital shortly before beginning her work at ABC News in 2011.

She has spoken openly about these experiences because she wanted to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Has Ginger Zee Spoken About Depression?

Yes.

Mental health has been an important part of Zee's public story.

She has described experiencing depression and an eating disorder when she was younger and has discussed seeking professional treatment.

In interviews surrounding Natural Disaster, she emphasized that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

She has also spoken about the importance of not presenting her television career as evidence that everything in her personal life has always been perfect.

What Is Ginger Zee's Net Worth?

Ginger Zee's net worth is estimated at $2.5 million by Celebrity Net Worth.

Her earnings have come from her long-running television career, books, speaking and other media projects.

What Is Ginger Zee's Salary?

Celebrity Net Worth estimates Ginger Zee's annual salary at approximately $500,000.

How Tall Is Ginger Zee?

IMDb lists Ginger Zee at 5 feet 6½ inches (1.69 metres).

What Is Ginger Zee's Ethnicity?

Ginger Zee has Dutch ancestry through her father, Robert Zuidgeest.

Her paternal grandparents, Adriaan Cornelis Zuidgeest and Hillegonda "Hilda" Zuidgeest, immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands.

She is American by nationality and was born in California.

Why Is Ginger Zee Famous?

Ginger Zee is primarily famous for being ABC News' chief meteorologist and a prominent Good Morning America weather personality.

Her popularity has also been boosted by:

●      Severe-weather reporting

●      Hurricane coverage

●      Climate reporting

●      Dancing With the Stars

●      Her books

●      Television appearances

●      Adventure segments

●      Open discussions about mental health

ABC describes her as an Emmy- and Murrow Award-winning meteorologist who has covered major weather events across the United States and internationally.

What Other Television Shows Has Ginger Zee Appeared On?

Beyond Good Morning America, Zee has appeared on several television programs.

She competed on Dancing With the Stars and has participated in numerous ABC adventure and weather segments.

She also lent her voice to Dr. Zephyr Skye, a storm-chasing alien on Disney Junior's Miles from Tomorrowland.

Zee and her husband, Ben Aaron, also starred together in the DIY Network series Renovation Realities: Ben & Ginger.

Does Ginger Zee Have a Family Show?

Yes.

Zee and her husband Ben Aaron starred in Renovation Realities: Ben & Ginger.

The show combined home renovation with the couple's personalities and relationship.

Their shared television work has allowed viewers to see a different side of Zee outside weather forecasting.

Where Does Ginger Zee Live?

ABC's biography says Zee resides in New York City, while other reports have described the family as living in the New York area.

Because public figures can move and their exact residential details are private, it is best not to treat older reports about a specific home address as current.

Ginger Zee Career Timeline

Year    Milestone

1981    Born in Orange, California

1999    Graduated from Rockford High School

Early 2000s     Studied meteorology at Valparaiso University

2003–2005      Worked at WEYI NBC 25

2006–2011      Worked at WMAQ-TV in Chicago

2011    Joined ABC News

2011–2013      GMA weekend meteorologist

2013    Named GMA chief meteorologist

2014    Married Ben Aaron

2015    Welcomed first son, Adrian

2016    Competed on Dancing With the Stars

2017    Published Natural Disaster

2018    Welcomed second son, Miles

2022    Published A Little Closer to Home

2026    Serves as ABC News chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent

Conclusion

Ginger Zee has turned a childhood fascination with severe weather into one of the most recognizable meteorology careers on American television.

Born in California in 1981 and raised in Michigan, she studied meteorology at Valparaiso University before working at local television stations and eventually joining ABC News in 2011. She became Good Morning America's chief meteorologist in 2013 and has since expanded her work into climate reporting.

Her personal life is equally notable. Zee has been married to Ben Aaron since 2014, and they have two sons, Adrian and Miles.

She has also been unusually candid about the difficult periods in her life. Through her memoirs and interviews, Zee has discussed depression, an eating disorder and self-harm, using her experiences to encourage conversations about mental health.

Today, Zee's career encompasses weather forecasting, climate journalism, television, writing, and science communication, making her much more than simply the weather anchor viewers see on Good Morning America.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How many kids does Ginger Zee have?

Ginger Zee has two children, both sons. She and her husband, television personality Ben Aaron, have Adrian Benjamin Colonomos, born in 2015, and Miles Macklin Colonomos, born in 2018. Zee frequently shares aspects of her family life publicly.

2. What is Ginger Zee's salary?

Celebrity Net Worth estimates that she earns approximately $500,000 per year, but this figure is an estimate rather than an officially disclosed ABC salary.

3. What happened between Rob Marciano and Ginger Zee?

Ginger Zee and former ABC News meteorologist Rob Marciano reportedly had a difficult professional relationship. Reports in 2024 said the two had clashed over the years, although the details came primarily from unnamed sources and should not be presented as fact.

Marciano was fired by ABC News in April 2024. Reports said Zee learned of a heated confrontation between Marciano and a Good Morning America producer and alerted management. The incident was reportedly a final factor in his dismissal, although ABC did not publicly confirm that account in detail.

Importantly, there is no reliable evidence that Zee personally caused Marciano's firing. The reports describe her as having alerted management, while the decision to terminate Marciano was made by ABC News.

4. What ethnicity is Ginger Zee?

Ginger Zee is American, having been born in Orange, California, and raised primarily in Michigan. Her birth name is Ginger Renee Zuidgeest. Her father, Robert Zuidgeest, is of Dutch ancestry, and the surname Zuidgeest is Dutch.

She is therefore commonly described as having Dutch ancestry, although “American” is her nationality.