Robin René Roberts is an accomplished American television broadcaster, born in Alabama and raised in Pass Christian, Mississippi. She is best known for her work as the anchor of ABC's popular morning show, Good Morning America. Roberts grew up in a family that valued discipline, determination, and faith, which she credits for cultivating her successful career in broadcasting. She is the youngest of four siblings, following Sally-Ann, Lawrence Jr., and Dorothy, and is the daughter of Lucimarian Tolliver and Colonel Lawrence E. Roberts, a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen.
Roberts attended Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana, where she earned a degree in communication, graduating cum laude in 1983. She followed in the footsteps of her older sister Sally-Ann Roberts, an anchor at the CBS affiliate WWL in New Orleans. Before joining ABC, Roberts worked as a sports anchor for local TV and radio stations, and later at ESPN for 15 years, where she became well known for her catchphrase, "Go on with your bad self!" In 1995, she began working for ABC News as a featured reporter for Good Morning America, and in 2005, she was promoted to co-anchor. Under her leadership, along with George Stephanopoulos, Good Morning America returned to the top of the ratings in 2012, surpassing NBC's Today, which had held the top spot for the previous 16 years.
In addition to her successful career, Roberts has faced significant health challenges, including being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in 2012. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and a bone marrow transplant, which she received from her sister Sally-Ann. Her public battle with MDS inspired hundreds of potential bone marrow donors to register, and she received the 2012 Peabody Award for allowing her network to document and build a public service campaign around her illness. Roberts is a practicing Christian and continues to inspire and motivate people with her story of determination and faith. In 2013, she received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs in recognition of her strength and resilience.