Allison Rosati Biography: Age, Husband, Career & NBC 5 Chicago

Allison Rosati Biography: NBC 5 Anchor and Award-Winning Journalist

Allison Rosati is a prominent and award-winning American journalist, best known as a long-standing anchor for NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV) in Chicago.

Early Life and Education:

Born in Dover, Delaware, Allison Rosati grew up in Pine City, Minnesota. She is of Finnish (paternal) and Italian (maternal) descent.

In 1980, she was crowned Minnesota’s Junior Miss, and in 1981, she represented Minnesota in the America’s Junior Miss pageant.

Rosati attended Gustavus Adolphus College, where she graduated cum laude in 1985 with a double major in speech and communications.

Career:

Rosati began her journalism career in 1985 at KTTC-TV in Rochester, Minnesota, as a general assignment reporter. Within a year, she was promoted to producer and co-anchor of the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.

She then moved to WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, New York, in 1987, anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts and continuing general assignment reporting.

In 1990, Rosati joined WMAQ-TV (NBC 5) in Chicago as the host of “First Thing in the Morning.”

She quickly became a central figure in the newsroom. In 1995, she started anchoring the early evening news, and in May 1997, she was promoted to co-anchor of NBC 5’s 10 p.m. newscast.

She later also became co-anchor of the 6 p.m. newscast and, in 2006, the 5 p.m. newscast. She has been a fixture on the evening news alongside Warner Saunders and, after his retirement, Rob Stafford.

Awards and Recognition:

Allison Rosati has received numerous accolades throughout her career, reflecting her dedication to journalism and community service. Some of her notable awards include:

• Emmy Awards: She is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, notably for her work on “Survive Alive,” an NBC special on fire prevention. She also received an Emmy for her role as host in “NBC 5 Presents: Millennium 2000.”

• Gracie Award: Recognized by the American Women in Radio and Television with a national Gracie Award for her work on the “Smart Choices, Safe Kids” special.

• Dante Award: Received the prestigious Dante Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, an annual award for journalists who are “not a timid friend to truth.”

• Department of Health and Human Services Adoption Excellence Award: Received for her work on “Wednesday’s Child,” a weekly segment (1999-2005) focused on placing children in adoptive homes.

• Gustavus Adolphus College Honors: Honored by her alma mater with the First Decade Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award for her achievements in journalism.

• “Woman Of The Year” and “Humanitarian Of The Year”: Recognized by the Italian American Police Association in 2001 and 2004, respectively.

• Mary Ellen Nolan Guardian Angel Award: From Amate House in Chicago (2016).

• Champions for Children Award: From the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago (2017).

• Veritas Award: From The Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great (2018).

Community Involvement:

Beyond her broadcasting career, Rosati is deeply committed to community service.

She volunteers for various Chicago-area organizations, including Amate House, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Infant Welfare Society, and the Ronald McDonald House, and has served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Age:

Allison Rosati is 62 years old, born on February 12, 1963. Her zodiac sign is Aquarius.

She is of Finnish (paternal) and Italian (maternal) descent, making her Italian-American. Allison holds American nationality.

Parents and Siblings:

Allison has kept details about her parents and siblings private, though she occasionally mentions them in interviews, reflecting her close family ties and pride in her Finnish-Italian heritage.

Husband:

Allison Rosati was married to Dr. Lee Dennis, a radiologist, in a traditional Roman Catholic wedding ceremony on March 20, 1993 at the Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

They have four children together: Nicholas Lee Dennis, Stephen Dennis, Katherine Mary Dennis, and Kristen Allison Dennis.

They also have a beloved dog named Apollo. Unfortunately, Dr. Lee Dennis passed away in 2017, but Allison continues to honor his memory and their family legacy.

Height:

Allison Rosati stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). She weighs approximately 165 lbs (75 kg).

Her body measurements are 37-26-38 inches (95-67-97 cm). She has hazel eyes and blonde hair.

Career and Background:

Allison began her career in Rochester, Minnesota, before moving to Chicago. Her decades-long tenure at NBC 5 has made her a well-known figure in Chicago journalism.

She has covered numerous major stories, from national events to local community issues, and received multiple awards for her contributions to broadcasting.

Here are some key highlights:

Early Career

• KTTC-TV: Allison began her journalism career in 1985 at KTTC-TV in Rochester, Minnesota, as a general assignment reporter. Her strong work ethic and on-air presence quickly led to her promotion to producer and co-anchor of the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.

WGRZ-TV

• Buffalo, New York: In 1987, Allison moved to WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, New York, where she anchored the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. Her work at WGRZ-TV further established her as a reliable and engaging journalist.

NBC 5 Chicago (WMAQ-TV)

• Joining NBC 5: Allison joined NBC 5 in Chicago in August 1990 as the host of “First Thing in the Morning.” Her vibrant personality and journalistic skills made her a key figure at the station.

• Promotions: In May 1997, she was promoted to co-anchor of the 10 p.m. newscast. Over the years, she has co-anchored the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. newscasts, becoming a mainstay of NBC 5’s news team.

• Wednesday’s Child: Allison co-hosted the Emmy Award-winning segment “Wednesday’s Child,” which highlighted children in need of adoptive families. Her commitment to this cause helped many children find forever homes.

• Special Reports: Known for her impactful special reports, Allison has covered a wide range of topics, from education and health to community issues and major news events.

Awards and Recognition

• Emmy Awards: Throughout her career, Allison has been recognized with several Emmy Awards for her exceptional work in journalism, including her segment “Wednesday’s Child.”

• Gracie Award: She received a Gracie Award for her work on the “Smart Choices, Safe Kids” special, which educated children and parents about child predators.

• Dante Award: Allison was honored with the prestigious Dante Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans for her commitment to truth in journalism.

• Peter Lisagor Award: She received the Peter Lisagor Award for in-depth reporting.

Allison Rosati has covered many impactful stories throughout her career. Here are a few notable and memorable ones:

• Wednesday’s Child: This Emmy Award-winning segment helped many children find forever homes by highlighting children in need of adoptive families. Allison’s dedication to this cause made a significant difference in the lives of many children.

• Smart Choices, Safe Kids: This special report educated children and parents about child predators and how to recognize the lures they use. It received a national Gracie Award for its impactful content.

• Hurricane Coverage: Allison has reported extensively on hurricanes and their impact on communities, providing crucial information and updates to viewers during these natural disasters.

• Community Stories: Allison is passionate about making connections with viewers and ensuring they are aware of what is happening in their community. She covers a wide range of local stories, from human interest pieces to important community events.

• Political Coverage: Allison has covered numerous political events and elections, providing in-depth analysis and reporting on the political pulse of the region.

Allison Rosati’s career is marked by her commitment to journalism and her passion for making a positive impact in her community.

Her contributions to the field have made her a respected and beloved figure in Chicago’s news landscape.

Here are several more of Allison Rosati’s close colleagues at NBC 5 in Chicago:

• Rob Stafford: Co-anchor with Allison on the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. newscasts. Rob is a seasoned journalist known for his in-depth reporting and dedication to delivering accurate news.

• Stefan Holt: Co-anchor who works alongside Allison on the same newscasts. Known for his engaging reporting style and commitment to quality journalism.

• Brant Miller: Chief meteorologist who provides weather updates and forecasts. Brant’s expertise in meteorology keeps viewers informed about weather conditions.

• Marian Brooks: Anchor and reporter who contributes to various newscasts, bringing her experience and professionalism to the team.

• Kate Chappell: Reporter known for her compelling stories and in-depth reporting. Kate covers a wide range of topics and is a valued member of the news team.

• Siafa Lewis: Sports anchor and reporter who covers local and national sports events. Siafa’s energetic reporting style keeps sports fans engaged.

• Chris Hush: Reporter who covers breaking news and major events with dedication and professionalism. Chris’s reporting is highly regarded by viewers.

These colleagues, along with Allison Rosati, contribute to the dynamic and comprehensive news coverage that NBC 5 is known for.

Net Worth and Salary:

Allison Rosati’s net worth is estimated to range between $1 million and $5 million.

This valuation reflects her extensive tenure at NBC 5 Chicago, spanning over three decades, as well as her visibility and recognition within one of the nation’s largest media markets.

Her financial standing is further reinforced by her Emmy-winning journalism and involvement in notable public service campaigns.

Her annual salary is estimated to fall within the range of $50,000 to $120,000.

This estimate aligns with compensation standards for senior news anchors operating in top-tier markets such as Chicago, and factors in Rosati’s experience, credibility, and long-term contribution to the station’s brand and editorial voice.

Is Allison Rosati Married?

Allison Rosati was married to Dr. Lee Dennis, a radiologist, from 1993 until his passing in 2017. They had four children together: Nicholas Lee Dennis, Stephen Dennis, Katherine Mary Dennis, and Kristen Allison Dennis.

How Old Is Allison Rosati?

Allison Rosati is 62 years old. She was born on February 12, 1963, in Dover, Delaware

Where Is Allison Rosati Working?

Allison Rosati continues to serve as a prominent news anchor at NBC 5 Chicago (WMAQ-TV). She holds a leading role as co-anchor of the station’s flagship evening newscasts:

• NBC 5 News at 5 p.m.
• NBC 5 News at 6 p.m.
• NBC 5 News at 10 p.m.

Rosati has been with NBC 5 since 1990, making her one of the longest-tenured and most recognizable figures in Chicago broadcast journalism.

Her role extends beyond anchoring—she is also known for her community engagement, public service reporting, and contributions to special programming that highlight social issues and local impact.

Allison Rosati is active on social media! She engages with her audience on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. You can follow her on Facebook to get updates on her latest news reports and personal posts.