
Elizabeth Vargas
Television Journalist who is anchor of ABC's television news magazine 20/20 and ABC News specials
As an award-winning anchor and correspondent, Elizabeth Vargas has traveled the world covering breaking news stories, reporting in – depth investigations and conducting newsmaker interviews. During the historic Iraqi elections in December 2005, she anchored World News Tonight from Baghdad. She anchored for both World News Tonight and 20/20 from the U.S. Gulf Coast, covering…
Categories :
Full Bio
As an award-winning anchor and correspondent, Elizabeth Vargas has traveled the world covering breaking news stories, reporting in – depth investigations and conducting newsmaker interviews. During the historic Iraqi elections in December 2005, she anchored World News Tonight from Baghdad.
She anchored for both World News Tonight and 20/20 from the U.S. Gulf Coast, covering Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. Her international coverage has also sent her to Beslan, Russia, where she found stories of hope after rebels atta cked a school and killed more than 300 people, over half of them children. She also reported from the Middle East for a special on the resurrection of Jesus; and reported from Cambodia on the plight of orphans and questionable international adoption practi ces there.
Vargas has also anchored ABC News coverage of live, breaking news stories including the deaths of President Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy, Jr. She won an Emmy in 2000 for Outstanding Instant Coverage of a News Story for anchoring live cover age of the Elian Gonzalez case. Vargas was credited by the New York Times in November 2004 as reinvigorating the newsmagazine format with her “intellectually brave” reporting of an examination of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a young man whose murde r gained national attention as an anti – gay crime.
In July 2003, she hosted “In the Shadow of Laci Peterson”, an ABC News special that examined the disappearances of several young women in northern California and why their stories failed to attract signific ant media attention. In November 2003, she anchored “Jesus, Mary and Da Vinci”, an hour investigating many theories raised in the best – selling novel The Da Vinci Code. Her February 2001 exclusive interview with the owners of two dogs that killed a San Fran cisco woman was so revealing, prosecutors in the case say it was critical to winning convictions against the couple.
In 2002, Vargas was the narrator of the four – part, award – winning ABC News documentary series “ICU”, which provided a unique look at life i nside one of the nation’s elite pediatric cardiology intensive care units.
Vargas has anchored and reported several one – hour ABC News “Vanished” specials. Other hour – long specials include “Same – Sex Marriages,” “Surrogacy” and “It Takes a Miracle.” She has also been involved in ABC’s Children First Program, participating in a Children First Safety Special and in ABC’s March Against Drugs. Vargas was previously the anchor of World News Tonight Sunday and was also a frequent substitute anchor on Good Morning America.
Previously a correspondent for 20/20 and Primetime Thursday and a co – anchor of Primetime Monday , Vargas joined ABC News from NBC News, where she was a correspondent and anchor, primarily for Dateline NBC and the Today show. 9 9 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 100 , Alexandria, VA 22314 703.373.WWSG WWSG .com During her tenure at NB C, Vargas served as substitute co – anchor and news anchor for NBC News’ Today show and as a substitute anchor for the weekend editions of NBC Nightly News.
Vargas joined NBC News in 1993 as a correspondent for the NBC newsmagazine Now With Tom Brokaw and Ka tie Couric . Prior to joining NBC News, Vargas spent four years as a reporter and anchor for WBBM – TV, the CBS affiliate in Chicago. From 1986 to 1989, she was the lead reporter for KTVK – TV, the ABC affiliate in Phoenix. Earlier, she worked as a reporter/an chor for KTVN – TV, the CBS affiliate in Reno, Nev.
Vargas graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., where she began her broadcasting career as a reporter/anchor for KOMU – TV.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Living the American Dream
Vargas shares her experiences growing up as the daughter of Puerto Rican and Irish-American parents, the struggles she overcame and continues to confront, and openly reveals personal anecdotes as a wife, working mother and Hispanic-American.
The Media in Today’s Society
Drawing from her nearly four decades as an international journalist, Vargas discusses the roles and responsibilities of the continually-evolving media in our dynamic and fast-paced society.
In the News Now with Elizabeth Vargas
This is a timely look at the domestic and international scene with context and political analysis to better understand this moment in history and where the future may lead. With her signature wit and style, Vargas engages audiences with her global perspective of the latest hot spots and world issues
Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction
Videos
Elizabeth Vargas Opens Up About Addiction, Anxiety, & More - The View
Elizabeth Vargas
Elizabeth Vargas Speaker - PDA Speakers
Books
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS

1 HOUR OR LESS