Martha Raddatz

Career

Before 1993, Raddatz was the lead correspondent for ABC News' Boston affiliate, WCVB-TV. From 1993 to 1998, she reported on the Pentagon for National Public Radio. She started at ABC News in 1999 covering the State Department and was promoted to senior national security correspondent in May 2003, filing many reports from Iraq. On June 8, 2006, a tip that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been located and killed let ABC News be the first outlet to report it.

She filed from Ramallah in May 2007. After that beat, she became chief White House correspondent during the final term of George W. Bush's presidency. On January 9, 2007, her phone rang during a Tony Snow press briefing, playing Chamillionaire's "Ridin'," which drew laughter. In 2008, while in Iraq, she and Shameem Rassam shared details about Iraqi life with Barbara Delinsky.

She was named senior foreign affairs correspondent in November 2008. Raddatz moderated the October 11, 2012 vice-presidential debate between Paul Ryan and Joe Biden. She also co-moderated the second 2016 presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump with Anderson Cooper; reviewers noted her direct, aggressive style, though some criticized her for challenging a Trump statement, saying it went beyond her role.

Personal life

Martha Raddatz shares a home in Arlington, Virginia, with her current husband, journalist Tom Gjelten. She has a daughter, Greta Bradlee, from her first marriage to Ben Bradlee Jr., and a son, Jake Genachowski, from her second marriage to Julius Genachowski. Barack Obama attended that 1991 wedding.

Did You Know?

• She attended the University of Utah but dropped out to work at a local station.
• Her family later moved to Salt Lake City.