Omar Jimenez CNN, Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Children, Salary, Net Worth
Omar Jimenez Biography
Omar Jimenez is an Emmy Award-winning American journalist and CNN correspondent. He is widely recognized for covering major breaking news stories across the United States. His reporting combines accuracy, composure, and in-depth storytelling. As a result, he has become one of CNN’s most respected national correspondents.
Born on November 27, 1993, in Worcester, Massachusetts, Jimenez grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia. He is Afro-Latino, with an African American mother and a Colombian father. His diverse background has shaped his perspective and reporting style throughout his journalism career.
Jimenez attended Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where he earned a degree in broadcast journalism. During college, he also played varsity basketball for Northwestern. Additionally, he worked with the Chicago Innocence Project, strengthening his investigative reporting skills.
He started his television career at WGEM-TV in Illinois before joining WBAL-TV in Baltimore as a reporter and fill-in anchor. In 2017, he joined CNN Newsource and later became a national correspondent. Since then, he has reported on the George Floyd protests, the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, mass shootings, and other major national events.
One of Jimenez’s most memorable moments came in May 2020, when police arrested him and his CNN crew during a live broadcast covering protests in Minneapolis. Authorities released the team shortly afterward, and the incident drew international attention while highlighting press freedom concerns.
Today, Omar Jimenez remains a leading CNN correspondent based in New York. He continues covering politics, breaking news, and major national stories. His outstanding journalism has earned industry recognition, including a National News & Documentary Emmy Award and the 2025 RTDNA First Amendment Award, reflecting his commitment to fearless and responsible reporting.
Omar Jimenez Age: How Old is Omar Jimenez?
Omar Jimenez is 32 years old as of 2026. He was born on November 27, 1993, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Despite his relatively young age, Jimenez has built an impressive journalism career. He has covered breaking news, politics, and major national events for CNN. Moreover, his experience and award-winning reporting continue to strengthen his reputation as one of America’s leading television correspondents.
Omar Jimenez Height: How Tall is Omar Jimenez?
Omar Jimenez stands approximately 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) tall. His height complements his athletic background as a former Northwestern University basketball player. Before pursuing journalism, he competed at the collegiate level and developed strong leadership skills. Today, his commanding on-camera presence and confident reporting continue to make him one of CNN’s most recognizable journalists and anchors.
Omar Jimenez Education
Omar Jimenez attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism (BSJ) from the renowned Medill School of Journalism. Medill ranks among the top journalism schools in the United States. During college, Jimenez played for the Northwestern Wildcats men’s basketball team, balancing athletics with academics. Additionally, he worked with the Chicago Innocence Project, gaining valuable investigative reporting experience. His education emphasized multimedia storytelling, ethics, and broadcast journalism. These experiences prepared him for a successful career at CNN, where he now covers breaking news, politics, and major national events with confidence and accuracy.
Omar Jimenez Young | Early Life & Childhood
Omar Jimenez was born on November 27, 1993, in Worcester, Massachusetts. However, he spent most of his childhood in Kennesaw, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. He grew up in a highly accomplished family. His mother, Dr. Jayne Morgan, is a cardiologist, while his father, Omar Jimenez Jr., is a Colombian-born neurosurgeon. He also has three brothers and proudly identifies as Afro-Latino.
During sixth grade, his parents divorced, and he went on to live with his mother. Even so, he remained focused on school, sports, and creative pursuits. He attended Kennesaw Mountain High School, where he played varsity basketball and worked for the school’s television station, KMTV. A serious back injury sidelined him for several months, but he returned stronger and developed greater resilience. These childhood experiences sparked his passion for storytelling and helped shape his future career in journalism.
Omar Jimenez Ethnicity
Omar Jimenez is Afro-Latino. He has proudly spoken about his multicultural heritage throughout his journalism career. His mother, Dr. Jayne Morgan, is African American, while his father, Omar Jimenez Jr., is Colombian. This unique background gives him both African American and Latino roots.
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and raised in Kennesaw, Georgia, Jimenez grew up embracing both cultures. As a result, he brings a broad perspective to his reporting. His Afro-Latino identity has shaped his personal experiences and strengthened his work as an award-winning CNN correspondent.
Omar Jimenez Family: Parents & Siblings
Omar Jimenez comes from a family of accomplished medical professionals. His mother, Dr. Jayne Morgan, is a nationally recognized cardiologist, while his father, Dr. Omar Jimenez Jr., is a Colombian-born neurosurgeon. Although his parents divorced when he was young, they remained influential in his life. Additionally, Jimenez has three brothers, and they grew up in a close-knit household. His family’s emphasis on education, resilience, and service helped shape his successful journalism career at CNN.
Omar Jimenez Wife | Spouse
Omar Jimenez is married to Maya Voelk, a strategic communications professional and fellow Northwestern University graduate. The couple began dating after connecting through social media and maintained a long-distance relationship for several years. They became engaged in March 2023 and married on July 6, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. Maya also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. Although the couple keeps their personal life private, they frequently support each other’s careers and celebrate important milestones together.
Omar Jimenez Children | Kids
Omar Jimenez does not have any children as of 2026. He and his wife, Maya Voelk, married in July 2024 and have not announced the birth or adoption of any children. They have chosen to keep their family life largely private while focusing on their careers. Moreover, neither Jimenez nor Voelk has publicly shared plans about starting a family. Therefore, there are no confirmed reports that the CNN correspondent has kids.
Omar Jimenez Journalism Career | CNN, Reporting, Awards, and Career Highlights
Omar Jimenez began his journalism career at WGEM-TV in Quincy, Illinois, where he worked as a multimedia journalist. There, he reported, shot, edited, and produced stories across several news beats. He later joined WBAL-TV in Baltimore as a reporter and fill-in anchor. During his time there, he covered breaking news, crime, politics, and community issues.
In 2017, Jimenez joined CNN Newsource as a national correspondent. He supplied live reports to CNN affiliates across the United States. Soon afterward, he became a CNN correspondent, covering many of the country’s biggest stories. His reporting includes the COVID-19 pandemic, the George Floyd protests, presidential elections, mass shootings, hurricanes, and other major breaking news events.
In May 2020, police arrested Jimenez and his CNN crew during a live broadcast in Minneapolis. Authorities released them shortly afterward, and the incident sparked worldwide discussions about press freedom. Additionally, Jimenez has reported from disaster zones, campaign trails, and conflict areas with professionalism and accuracy.
In September 2025, CNN promoted Jimenez to anchor and correspondent. He now anchors CNN News Central on weekends while continuing to report on major national stories. His outstanding journalism has earned a National News & Documentary Emmy Award, an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award, and the 2025 RTDNA First Amendment Award. Today, he remains one of CNN’s most respected journalists and rising news anchors.
Omar Jimenez CNN Career | Career, Anchor Role, and Major Reporting Assignments
Omar Jimenez joined CNN in August 2017 as a national correspondent for CNN Newsource, providing live coverage to more than 900 affiliate stations nationwide. In 2019, he became a CNN correspondent, covering major breaking news stories across the United States. His assignments have included the COVID-19 pandemic, George Floyd protests, presidential elections, hurricanes, mass shootings, and high-profile court cases. In September 2025, CNN promoted him to anchor and correspondent. He now co-anchors CNN News Central on weekends while continuing field reporting. His Emmy Award-winning journalism, calm delivery, and in-depth storytelling have established him as one of CNN’s most trusted and respected news personalities.
Omar Jimenez Awards & Recognition
Omar Jimenez has earned several prestigious journalism awards for his outstanding reporting. He received a National News & Documentary Emmy Award for CNN’s coverage of the George Floyd protests. Additionally, he shared an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award for excellence in broadcast journalism. In 2025, the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) honored him with the First Amendment Award, recognizing his commitment to press freedom and exceptional reporting.
Omar Jimenez Salary
Omar Jimenez earns an estimated annual salary of between $150,000 and $300,000. CNN has not publicly disclosed his exact earnings. However, his 2025 promotion to anchor and correspondent likely increased his compensation. Besides anchoring CNN News Central on weekends, he continues covering major national stories. His experience, Emmy Award-winning journalism, and expanded role at CNN support these salary estimates, although they remain unofficial.
Omar Jimenez Net Worth
Omar Jimenez has an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $3 million as of 2026. His primary income comes from his successful career as a CNN anchor and correspondent. Additionally, his earnings have likely increased following his 2025 promotion. Award-winning journalism, years of national reporting, and television broadcasting have contributed significantly to his financial success. However, Jimenez has not publicly confirmed his exact net worth.
Omar Jimenez Quick Facts
- Full Name: Omar Jimenez
- Date of Birth: November 27, 1993
- Age: 32 years old (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Hometown: Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Afro-Latino
- Religion: Not publicly disclosed
- Profession: Journalist, News Anchor, and Correspondent
- Employer: CNN
- Current Position: Anchor and Correspondent
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Northwestern University (Medill School of Journalism)
- Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters)
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife: Maya Voelk
- Children: None (as of 2026)
- Parents: Dr. Jayne Morgan and Dr. Omar Jimenez Jr.
- Siblings: Three brothers
- Net Worth: Estimated $1 million–$3 million (2026)
- Estimated Salary: $150,000–$300,000 per year
- Known For: CNN News Central, breaking news coverage, George Floyd protests, and political reporting
- Awards: National News & Documentary Emmy Award, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award, RTDNA First Amendment Award (2025)



