Early Years and Background
Based in Chicago, Marion Brooks is an Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and anchor for NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV). After being born in Vancouver, British Columbia, she spent her childhood in Portland, Oregon. Brooks is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and has a B.A. in English from Spelman College.
Professional Background
Brooks started out on air in radio at WGST in Atlanta, then transitioned to television working in the Mississippi Delta, Jacksonville, St. Louis, and Atlanta before coming to NBC 5 Chicago in January of 1998. She is an investigative reporter and weekday anchor, and reports for the 11 AM and 4:30 PM shows.
Her honors include a National Emmy, Edward R. Murrow Award, Gracie Award, and prizes from the Associated Press, Illinois Broadcasters Association, National Mental Health Association, and more.
Career Achievements
Brooks began her on-air career in radio at Atlanta’s WGST, then went to television and worked in the Mississippi Delta, Jacksonville, St. Louis, and Atlanta, before coming to NBC 5 Chicago in January 1998. She is an investigative reporter and weekday anchor, reporting for the 11 AM and 4:30 PM shows.
She also oversaw initiatives such as NBC 5’s “Survivor’s Project” series, which collected stories about sexual violence in Illinois, and a 2014 investigation into sex trafficking in Chicago.
Personal Life and Family
Marion married Ruye Hawkins, a lawyer from Orlando, in March 2005. The couple has two daughters, Brooks Hawkins and Sydney Hawkins, who were born in 2006. She keeps her personal life to herself, and there are no official records of her divorce and remarriage.
Physical Features & Age
She has conflicting reports of height, one at 5′4″, one at 5′6″; some earlier accounts actually print 6′2″, but these do not seem as reliable. Her birthday is most commonly given as April 18, 1963, which would put her at 62 in 2025, although some put her at 57 to 60; differences are potentially because of old data.
Total Assets & Income
Her annual salary is estimated to be $50,000 to $110,500, according to the latest estimates. Observations regarding inconsistencies: Height reports vary dramatically, likely due to unreliable sourcing. The best information available has her within the 5′4″–5′6″ height range. Age varies from April 18, 1963, being the most authentic date and indicating that she would be 62 in 2025, and other news sources quoting her age as 57–60.
About the Author
