Kathy Vara Bio
Kathy Vara is a multi-Emmy Award-winning American television journalist and news anchor. She serves as a primary news anchor and reporter for NBC4 Southern California (KNBC-TV). Based in Los Angeles, she handles key morning and afternoon anchoring blocks for the station. Vara officially rejoined the KNBC-TV newsroom in March 2010. Over her prominent multi-decade career, she has established herself as one of the most trusted and versatile broadcast journalists in the Southern California market.
Vara has built a highly distinguished media career spanning the nation’s top television markets. She spent several years as a lead evening anchor for KABC-TV in Los Angeles. Vara co-anchored the station’s top-rated 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. broadcasts. She also relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to serve as a primary morning anchor for WCAU-TV. She has covered some of the most historic national and international breaking news events of the modern era. These include live on-the-scene coverage of the O.J. Simpson double-murder trial, the Northridge earthquake, and the Columbine High School shooting. She also reported live from New York City following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Her exceptional reporting and studio anchoring have earned her three regional Emmy Awards. She has also won a prestigious Golden Mike Award for best news broadcast. She is an active member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ).
Vara discovered her deep passion for storytelling and journalism during her youth. She pursued her higher education at the University of North Texas. Vara was a highly active student leader within the radio and television department. She graduated from the institution with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. She is an avid equestrian who frequently participates in regional horse jumping competitions.
Kathy Vara Age
How old is Kathy Vara? Vara was born on April 4, 1963, in San Antonio, Texas. She is 63 years old as of early 2026. She celebrates her birthday on the 4th of April every year alongside close family, friends, and newsroom peers.
Kathy Vara Family
Kathy was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She grew up in a supportive, culturally rich household. Her parents provided a deeply close-knit family environment. They heavily encouraged her early public speaking ambitions and her academic goals. Her family background instilled a profound respect for education and her heritage. She was raised alongside her siblings in Bexar County. She maintains an exceptionally tight bond with her immediate family members. Public records detailing her parents’ and siblings’ specific names remain private to protect their personal lives away from the media spotlight.
Kathy Vara’s Husband
Kathy is married to her husband, Rene (often referred to as Rene Vara). The couple has been married for over three decades, having wed in 1986. They share a deeply loving and stable marriage. Together, they have one child, a daughter. The family resides together in their home in the Greater Los Angeles area. They share their home with their beloved rescue dogs and horses. Kathy loves balancing her busy anchoring schedule by spending her free time with her husband and daughter, trail riding, and volunteering for therapeutic equestrian charities.
Kathy Vara’s Height
Vara stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 4 inches.
Kathy Vara Net Worth
Vara has an estimated net worth of between $1.5 million and $3.5 million as of 2026. This wealth is built upon her stable, three-decade career in broadcast journalism. This includes her long tenure as a top-rated evening anchor for KABC-TV, her anchoring contracts in Philadelphia, and her current position with NBCUniversal Local in Los Angeles.
Kathy Vara’s Salary
Vara receives an estimated annual salary ranging from $140,000 to $250,000. This scale aligns with corporate standards for veteran news anchors and chief correspondents operating within a top-three television media market like Los Angeles.
