Samantha Cortese is an Emmy Award-nominated American journalist, television news anchor, reporter, and multimedia host best known for her work at KTLA 5 in Los Angeles, California. She has built a successful career in local television journalism through her energetic on-air presence, compelling storytelling, and ability to connect with audiences across both traditional broadcasts and digital platforms. At KTLA, she has become a familiar face as an anchor, reporter, and former co-host of the station’s digital program “5 Live,” while also contributing to special reports and investigative projects.
Originally from Palm Desert, California, Cortese has steadily climbed the ranks of broadcast journalism. She began her career while still in college and worked her way through several California and Arizona television stations before joining one of the largest local news markets in the United States. Her career reflects a combination of strong reporting skills, digital innovation, and versatility, allowing her to excel in breaking news, feature reporting, live anchoring, and podcast hosting.
In addition to her journalism career, Cortese is known for her love of sports, Disney, travel, and community involvement. Her warm personality and authentic storytelling have helped her develop a loyal following among viewers across Southern California.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Samantha Wray Cortese |
| Profession | Journalist, News Anchor, Reporter |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Palm Desert, California, USA |
| Current Employer | KTLA 5 News |
| Education | Chapman University |
| Degree | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Broadcast Journalism |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Chris Di Vincenzo |
| Known For | KTLA 5 News, 5 Live, Investigative Podcasts |
Early Life and Family
Samantha Cortese was born and raised in Palm Desert, California, where she developed an interest in journalism, television, and storytelling from an early age. Growing up in Southern California exposed her to a vibrant media landscape, inspiring her eventual career in broadcasting.
Her parents have played an important role in her life. Her mother is Kathryn Cortese, whom Samantha has publicly honored on social media, while her father is Brian Cortese. Although she occasionally shares family moments, she has generally kept much of her family’s private life out of the spotlight. Information about siblings has not been publicly confirmed.
Family remains an important part of Samantha’s life, and she has often expressed gratitude for the encouragement she received while pursuing a competitive career in journalism.
Education
Cortese attended Chapman University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in broadcast journalism. While at Chapman, she distinguished herself academically and professionally by founding, producing, and anchoring Chapman News, Orange County’s only local university-produced television news program.
During college, she:
- Founded Chapman News.
- Served as producer and anchor.
- Won the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Best Television Show.
- Received a nomination for the Mir Tuhki Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism.
- Was nominated for an Emmy Award.
- Developed a university course focusing on social media’s role in modern broadcasting.
She also attended California State University, Fullerton, where she pursued additional coursework related to broadcast journalism and communication.
Early Career
While still attending college, Samantha worked for CBS Local 2, balancing full-time university studies with professional television work. Her early responsibilities included reporting, producing, and writing news stories, providing invaluable real-world experience before graduation.
She later joined KPSP-TV as a morning show producer and web editor before advancing to KESQ-TV, where she worked as a reporter and eventually morning anchor. These early positions allowed her to cover breaking news, politics, community issues, and severe weather while refining her live-reporting abilities.
KGUN-TV
In 2016, Cortese moved to KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona, where she became the morning anchor for Good Morning Tucson. During her tenure, she covered major local stories, interviewed community leaders, and built a strong reputation for engaging viewers during live morning broadcasts.
KTLA Career
Samantha joined KTLA 5 in 2018, marking a significant milestone in her broadcasting career. Initially serving as a digital multimedia journalist and co-host of “5 Live,” KTLA’s digital-only news and entertainment show, she helped shape the station’s digital programming during a period of rapid growth in online news consumption.
Over time, she expanded her responsibilities to include the following:
- Anchoring the weekday 4 p.m. newscast.
- Reporting for the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. news.
- Covering breaking news.
- Conducting investigative reports.
- Producing feature stories.
- Hosting live interviews.
- Leading special event coverage.
She also hosts and produces KTLA’s true-crime podcast, “California Crime: The Disappearance of Jonathan and Audrey,” demonstrating her versatility beyond traditional television news.
Samantha Cortese Age
Samantha Cortese is 36 years old as of 2026. She was born on August 25, 1989, in Palm Desert, California. Her zodiac sign is Virgo.
Samantha Cortese Husband
Samantha Cortese is married to Chris Di Vincenzo, an accomplished television producer with ABC7 Los Angeles. The couple became engaged in April 2017 before exchanging wedding vows on May 26, 2018, in a ceremony attended by family and close friends.
Their relationship is frequently admired by viewers because both work in television news while supporting each other’s careers. Samantha occasionally shares moments from their travels, anniversaries, and everyday life on social media. As of 2026, the couple has not publicly announced having children.
Height and Physical Appearance
Samantha Cortese stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall. She is known for her polished on-air appearance, brown eyes, and dark brown hair. Her confident presentation and professional style have become recognizable features of her television career.
Hobbies and Interests
Outside journalism, Samantha enjoys:
- Traveling, especially to college football games.
- Supporting Pac-12 athletics.
- Visiting Disney parks.
- Spending time with her rescue Havapoo, Magic.
- Cheerleading and coaching.
- Community volunteering.
- Podcasting and long-form storytelling.
Awards and Achievements
Throughout her career, Samantha has received several professional honors, including:
- Emmy Award nomination.
- Cecil B. DeMille Award for Best Television Show.
- Mir Tuhki Award nomination for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism.
- Founder of Chapman News.
- Successful launch and co-hosting of KTLA’s digital platform 5 Live.
Samantha Cortese Salary
KTLA does not publicly disclose employee salaries. However, industry estimates suggest Samantha earns between $70,000 and $130,000 annually, reflecting her role as an anchor, reporter, and multimedia host in the Los Angeles television market. These figures are estimates and have not been confirmed publicly.
Samantha Cortese Net Worth
After more than a decade in broadcast journalism, Samantha Cortese has accumulated an estimated net worth between $1 million and $3 million. Her wealth primarily comes from television journalism, anchoring, digital media projects, podcasting, and other professional media activities. Samantha has not publicly disclosed her financial information, making these third-party estimates rather than verified figures.
Interesting Facts
- She founded Chapman News while attending university.
- She is an Emmy Award-nominated journalist.
- She worked professionally while still a college student.
- She previously anchored morning news in Tucson before moving to Los Angeles.
- She is married to fellow television professional Chris Di Vincenzo.
- She is a lifelong fan of college football and Disney.
- She helped launch KTLA’s successful digital news programming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Samantha Cortese?
Samantha Cortese is an American journalist and news anchor at KTLA 5, known for anchoring news broadcasts, co-hosting 5 Live, and producing investigative podcasts.
How old is Samantha Cortese?
She was born on August 25, 1989, making her 36 years old as of 2026.
Is Samantha Cortese married?
Yes. She has been married to Chris Di Vincenzo, an ABC7 Los Angeles producer, since May 26, 2018.
What is Samantha Cortese’s height?
She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall.
What is Samantha Cortese’s salary?
Her annual salary is estimated to range from $70,000 to $130,000, although KTLA has not publicly confirmed her earnings.
What is Samantha Cortese’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between $1 million and $3 million, based on third-party estimates.
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