Elena LaQuatra Biography: Inspiring Journey of WTAE’s Morning Anchor
Elena LaQuatra is an American journalist and morning traffic anchor at WTAE-TV Pittsburgh.
She first joined WTAE in 2015 as a digital content creator before transitioning into a general assignment reporting role in 2018.
Early Life and Hearing Loss:
Born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Elena LaQuatra experienced a significant life change at the age of four when she lost all hearing in both ears due to bacterial meningitis.
Shortly before her fifth birthday, she received a cochlear implant in her left ear.
She then attended the DePaul School for Hearing and Speech for four years to regain her listening and spoken language skills.
She views her deafness not as a disability but as an “ability,” giving her what she calls “superhuman hearing.”
Education and Career:
LaQuatra realized her aptitude for talking and writing in high school, which led her to pursue a career in journalism. She graduated from Point Park University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Reporting.
After graduation, she joined WTAE in 2015 as a digital content creator for “4the412,” their online lifestyle and entertainment channel.
She then spent time as a reporter and anchor for a TV station in Erie before returning to WTAE as a general assignment reporter in 2018.
In December 2021, she was promoted to her current role as morning traffic reporter and noon news anchor.
Pageant History and Advocacy:
Elena LaQuatra has an impressive pageant background, having won Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen in 2007, Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA in 2010, and Miss Pennsylvania USA in 2016.
She represented Pennsylvania at the Miss USA pageant. Inspired by meeting Heather Whitestone, the first deaf Miss America, LaQuatra became involved in pageants and uses her platform to advocate for individuals with hearing loss and for oral deaf education.
She also serves as an ambassador and advocate for numerous nonprofit organizations and is a Board Director for the Eye & Ear Foundation.
Personal Life:
Elena LaQuatra’s passions include mentoring young women, traveling to Europe, and spending time with her family and dogs. She is known for her strong work ethic and resiliency.
Age
Elena LaQuatra was born on January 27, 1992, which makes her 33 years old as of 2025.
Her zodiac sign is Aquarius. Elena is of Lebanese descent, and she holds American nationality.
Parents and Siblings
Elena LaQuatra’s parents are Paul LaQuatra and Effie LaQuatra. They have been supportive throughout her life and career.
Elena often shares moments with her family on her social media, indicating a close-knit relationship.
She also has a sister named Isabella LaQuatra. However, there isn’t much publicly available information about Isabella’s personal or professional life. It seems she prefers to keep a lower profile compared to her sister Elena.
Husband
Elena LaQuatra is married to Jordan DeFrank. The couple tied the knot in September 2021. They have since shared moments of their life together on social media, highlighting their strong bond and shared interests.
Elena LaQuatra Baby
Elena LaQuatra and her husband, Jordan, are overjoyed to announce the arrival of their baby girl, Emelina Flora.
Born on August 28th at 10:30 p.m., Emelina has already captured her parents’ hearts with her mommy’s cheeks and daddy’s eyes.
Elena shared on Facebook, “Our love for her is greater than we ever knew possible. We are soaking up every second with our little one.” Welcome to the world, Emelina Flora
Height
Elena LaQuatra stands at approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters) tall and weighs around 55 kg (121 lbs). Her body measurements are 37-28-40, and she wears a bra cup size of 36D.
Career and Background
Elena LaQuatra has had an impressive career at WTAE. She joined the station in 2015 as a digital content creator for “4 the 412.”
After a stint at a television station in Erie, she returned to WTAE in 2018 as a general assignment reporter.
In December 2021, Elena was promoted to her current roles as the morning traffic anchor and noon news anchor for Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
Her journey is particularly inspiring, as she overcame the challenge of losing her hearing at a young age due to bacterial meningitis. With a cochlear implant and years of rehabilitation, she has excelled in her career and speech.
Elena is also known for her community involvement, serving as Mistress of Ceremonies for fundraising galas nationwide and as an ambassador for various non-profit organizations.
She was crowned Miss Pennsylvania USA in 2016 and is passionate about mentoring young women, traveling, and spending time with her family and pets.
Elena LaQuatra has achieved several notable milestones during her time at WTAE:
- Promotion to Anchor Roles: Elena was promoted to the roles of morning traffic anchor and noon news anchor for Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 in December 2021.
- Digital Content Creation: She initially joined WTAE in 2015 as a digital content creator for “4 the 412.”
- General Assignment Reporter: After a stint at a television station in Erie, she returned to WTAE in 2018 as a general assignment reporter.
- Recognition by Alma Mater: She was honored by her alma mater, Mt. Lebanon High School, with the “Great Alumni Award” for her work as a journalist and her roles in numerous nonprofit organizations.
Elena’s journey is particularly inspiring given her overcoming the challenge of losing her hearing at a young age due to bacterial meningitis. Her achievements at WTAE reflect her dedication and resilience.
Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
Elena LaQuatra’s journey with hearing loss and rehabilitation is truly inspiring. At the age of four, she lost 100% of her hearing in both ears due to bacterial meningitis.
Despite this significant challenge, Elena’s parents opted for cochlear implant technology, which was relatively new at the time.
After undergoing surgery and extensive rehabilitation, including physical and speech therapy, she regained her ability to hear and speak.
Elena’s determination and hard work paid off, allowing her to excel in various fields. She went on to win the title of Miss Pennsylvania USA in 2016 and has become a successful news anchor.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder that with perseverance and support, overcoming significant obstacles is possible.
Elena LaQuatra overcame the challenges related to her hearing loss through a combination of advanced medical technology, dedicated rehabilitation, and strong personal determination.
Here are some key factors that contributed to her success:
- Cochlear Implants: After losing her hearing, Elena received cochlear implants, which are electronic devices that provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. This technology was crucial in helping her regain the ability to hear.
- Extensive Rehabilitation: Post-surgery, Elena underwent rigorous rehabilitation, including speech and auditory therapy. These therapies helped her learn to interpret the sounds she was hearing through the implants and develop her speech skills.
- Family Support: Elena’s family played a significant role in her journey. Their support and encouragement were vital in helping her navigate the challenges and stay motivated throughout her rehabilitation.
- Personal Determination: Elena’s own determination and positive attitude were key. She worked hard to overcome the obstacles and didn’t let her hearing loss define her or limit her aspirations.
- Educational and Professional Achievements: Despite her hearing loss, Elena excelled academically and professionally. She pursued higher education and built a successful career in journalism, becoming a news anchor and winning the title of Miss Pennsylvania USA in 2016.
Net Worth and Salary
Based on available reports, Elena LaQuatra currently earns an estimated annual salary of around $89,400 as a morning traffic anchor and noon news anchor at WTAE-TV, and her net worth is believed to be approximately $1 million.
These figures reflect her consistent career progression—from launching her career as a digital content creator and reporter to her current influential on-air roles in a major Pittsburgh market.
Although some sources may present slight variations in net worth estimates, the consensus generally aligns with a net worth of about $1 million.
Where is Elena LaQuatra now?
Elena LaQuatra is currently a news anchor and reporter at WTAE-TV, an ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
She has been with the station since 2015 and has become a well-known figure in the local news scene.
Elena covers a wide range of stories, from breaking news to human interest pieces, and is highly regarded for her professionalism and dedication to journalism.
Does Elena LaQuatra have a hearing problem?
Elena LaQuatra lost 100% of her hearing in both ears at the age of four due to bacterial meningitis. However, she does not let this define her.
With the help of cochlear implants and extensive rehabilitation, she has regained her ability to hear and speak.
While she technically has a hearing impairment, the cochlear implants allow her to function effectively in both her personal and professional life.
Is Elena LaQuatra engaged?
Yes, Elena LaQuatra is engaged. She announced her engagement on her social media platforms, sharing her joy with her followers.
Her fiancé is Jordan, and they have shared several moments of their journey together online. The couple appears to be very happy and supportive of each other.
Was Elena LaQuatra born deaf?
No, Elena LaQuatra was not born deaf. She lost her hearing at the age of four due to bacterial meningitis. Before this illness, she had normal hearing.
The sudden loss of hearing was a significant challenge, but with the support of her family and the use of cochlear implants, she was able to overcome it and lead a successful life.
Is Elena LaQuatra Married?
Yes, Elena married Jordan Bukowski on January 22, 2022, in a traditional Greek ceremony.
Elena LaQuatra and her husband, Jordan, welcomed their first child, Emelina Flora, on August 28th.
As of now, Emelina is their only child. The couple enjoys traveling and spending time with their family and pets.
How Old Is Elena LaQuatra?
Elena LaQuatra is 33 years old as of 2025. She was born on January 27, 1992.
Where Is Elena LaQuatra Working?
Elena LaQuatra is currently working at WTAE, where she serves as the morning traffic anchor and noon news anchor for Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
She continues to be an integral part of the WTAE team, delivering news and traffic updates to viewers in the Pittsburgh area.
Elena LaQuatra is quite active on social media, where she shares updates about her professional and personal life. Here are her main social media accounts:
On these platforms, she often shares glimpses of her work as a news anchor, personal milestones, and her advocacy for various causes.
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