Throughout Norah O’Donnell’s airy, light-filled New York City apartment, there are glimpses of her far-reaching career in broadcasting. For example, bookended by the CBS This Morning co-anchor’s two Emmys are elegantly framed photos of O’Donnell with dignitaries, a pope, presidents, and other politicos. A broadcast journalist for more than two decades, O’Donnell, who turns 45 in January, has covered six presidential elections and traveled the world to interview notable newsmakers.
Born into a military family, O’Donnell grew up in such far-flung locales as Landstuhl, Germany, and Seoul, South Korea. She is married to Geoff Tracy, a restaurateur, and the couple has 11-year-old twins, Henry and Grace, and another daughter, Riley, 10. Read on as O’Donnell—who splits her time between New York City and Washington, D.C.—shares her four favorite things in the world.
PAINTINGS
“We’ve gone to Sea Island, Georgia, for many years and when we stayed at The Cloister, I noticed a painting of kids on the beach that I really liked. I asked the concierge to give me the name of the artist and learned that the paintings were by Ann Conrad, an artist in North Carolina. I tracked her down and now I send her photos and she makes [these]. The one of my son and husband at the beach is a favorite.”
MILITARY COINS
“Traditionally, if you meet with a commander or the secretary of defense, you may be given a coin. It’s considered an honorary gift. I have about 20, each of which tells a story. For example, there’s one here from USAG-Yongsan, the airbase in Seoul where I lived as a child, that was given to me by the commander. In military circles, a coin is a sign of respect, a memento to be treasured.”
Discover more of Norah’s favorite things in RESIDE
