Cecilia Marcellina Vega (born January 7, 1977) is an American journalist and news correspondent for 60 Minutes. She previously worked at ABC News holding multiple roles including, Chief White House Correspondent, Saturday news anchor for ABC World News Tonight & hosting Good Morning America.[1][2]
In 1995, Ms. Vega graduated at Salesian High School in Richmond, California.[3] In 1999, Cecilia graduated from the American University School of Communication in Washington, D.C.[4]
In 1999, Vega began reporting for the San Francisco Chronicle, covering then-Mayor Gavin Newsom's administration. Her reporting received accolades from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the East Bay Press Club, and the Hearst Corporation.[5]
For three years, Vega reported for the ABC network affiliate station KGO-TV in San Francisco, covering numerous stories.[6] In 2010, Vega won a Northern California Emmy Award for the Best Daytime Newscast in a Large Market.[7]
Vega joined ABC News in 2011 as a Los Angeles-based correspondent.[8] In 2012, Vega covered the elections and second inauguration of President Barack Obama.[9] She also covered the 2016 presidential election and the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. During her time as a national correspondent, Vega covered numerous stories, including the Fukushima power plant disaster, the appointment of Pope Francis, the 2014 Ebola epidemic in the United States, the Sony computer hacking, the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby, and the 2016 Summer Olympics.[6]
On March 2, 2015, she became the anchor for the Saturday edition of World News Tonight, with Tom Llamas anchoring the Sunday edition.[10] In January 2017, Llamas was named the full-time weekend anchor of World News Tonight, while Vega was moved to become the senior White House Correspondent.[11]
On October 1, 2018, during a press conference about the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, U.S. President Donald Trump called on her to ask him questions. He then joked at Vega's surprised reaction, stating: "I know you're not thinking. You never do." Vega brushed aside the remark, and asked Trump about the FBI investigation into then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Trump declined to answer, stating the question was unrelated to the trade deal. Vega later tweeted: "A news conference means you get to ask whatever question you want to ask. #FirstAmendment."[12]
In January 2021, Vega was named the chief White House Correspondent for ABC News, succeeding Jonathan Karl.[13]
Cecilia Vega has been a correspondent on the Sunday program 60 Minutes since 2023.[14][15] Cecilia's first story was about sperm whales & was presented on Sunday, May 14th, 2023.
She lives in Washington, D.C., with her dog Jalisco, whom she enjoys taking to the dog park often.[16] She has been married to Ricardo Jimenez since August 17, 2008.