Melissa Russo Profile
Melissa Russo is an American Emmy Award-winning Reporter and Anchor working for NBC 4 New York – WNBC-TV as a government reporter. She joined the network in September 1998.
Melissa Russo Education
Upon graduation from The Dalton School in the year 1986, Russo attended Tufts University. She graduated from the university in the year 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Russo also holds a master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University.
While in high school, Russo served as a volunteer at the Children’s Storefront School in Harlem. While in college, she worked for the New York Times Editorial Page and was working as an intern at the White House press office. As an undergraduate, she wrote a number of articles published in the Times, such as an Op-Ed on a controversial policy limiting free speech on the Tufts campus. She one day rescinded its policy after Melissa’s op-ed appeared in print.
Melissa Russo Career (NBC 4 NY)
Russo serves at NBC 4 – WNBC as a Political and Government Affairs Reporter. She also serves as a member of NBC 4’s investigative unit, I-Team. She is adept at politics and local policy with unmatched sources. Regularly, Russo is the 1st journalist to cover any significant breaking news on her beat. Russo has worked as a weekend news anchor at NBC 4 for a couple of years. She has also co-hosted NBC’s quarterly interview program, “Ask the Mayor,” which aired for one year (2015-2016) on Sunday mornings, alongside Chuck Scarborough. Over the years with NBC 4, she has covered a wide array of breaking stories. In the year 2020, she was instrumental in reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the emergence of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). These two coverages generated global attention and enacted action by health officials in New York City and Albany.
Her coverage of the pandemic was a key component of NBC NY – WNBC’s win of the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award in January 2021. She was the 1st reporter to cover MIS-C as well as the concerns of local doctors and her I-Team work was essential to the resulting action that was taken by the city’s respective health departments. Her work earned recognition in a New York Daily News editorial. The elected officials also commended the coverage for the difference made for New York’s children.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russo did an investigation on a non-profit, AABR, that serves about two hundred adults with disabilities. The investigation uncovered that the organization ran short of the required gowns and masks to safely retrieve twelve hospitalized residents with autism and developmentally disabled residents treated for COVID-19. When the investigation was broadcast, Governor Cuomo’s office honored the report and enabled the delivery of numerous gowns, masks, gloves, and goggles to the group homes that weekend. The story also enabled the generation of 20,000 dollars in donations to support the program.
Quick Facts About Russo
| Age | 55 years old as of 2023 |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Frack Gribbon |
| Net Worth | $1 Million – $5 Million |
Since Russo started her journalism career, she has reported on numerous national and local elections and 4 New York City mayors. She has also been responsible for moderating multiple live prime-time televised debates in local races for Governor and Mayor. Russo has provided live coverage from Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, and Iowa, during the presidential campaign in the year 2020. She has also been responsible for conducting in-depth interviews with a number of candidates from both parties, such as Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.
Russo has delivered in-depth and thoughtful coverage of issues not ordinarily embarked on local TV news. She has gained rare access to the family courts, juvenile jails, and the homeless shelter system, in New York. Her work has earned the recognition of 2 New York Emmy Awards in the categories of societal concerns reporting and journalistic enterprise. Russo’s work has also generated major government policy changes.
She led an investigation in July 2019 which uncovered a Harlem day camp run out of the NYCHA – New York City’s Housing Authority’s Jackie Robinson Community Center was compelled to close due to intense pest infestation. It was through the investigation that the attention of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and New York City, was caught. The New York City response was prompted by electricians, exterminators, and inspectors. The I-Team and Russo’s coverage of a July 30 editorial concentrating on the challenges faced by NYCHA, was honored by The New York Times.
Russo led an investigation at the Children’s Center (New York City’s foster care intake building) in March 2019. She uncovered young children living with criminals, deplorable conditions, and weapons inside the building. After the investigation, there was an announcement by New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services that a corrective action plan was needed. She investigated the gaps in the social media safety net in February 2019 for children prompting a Congressional Inquiry by Jerrold Nadler (Rep.).
The Administration for Children’s Services as well as the New York Daily News Editorial Board credited her multi-year investigative series, “Begging With Babies,” in January 2019. In the year 2016, Russo’s I-Team investigation exposed an immigration scam in Queens Family Court that resulted in a federal HSI probe, and multiple challenges facing students with special needs. In the previous year (2015), her multi-part investigation, “Closing Time: Access Denied,” made the New York State Court System extend family court hours.
Russo has been passionate about television since she was young. When she was young, she used to work as an actor in television commercials and films, whereby she was able to pay tuition in high school. She had an interest in learning how other people live and providing help for the less fortunate. Russo is a strong supporter of the community and she often helps nonprofits with charity events. Before joining NBC 4, she worked for NY1. That is also where she started her journalism career. There she was responsible for videotaping multiple stories of her own. That is where she sparked a strong passion for photography, which she pursues during her free time.
Melissa Russo Awards and Honors
Her work has earned national attention and recognition. Russo holds the American Society on Aging’s top award and 2 prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards for reporting on stories that affect the elderly. Russo has also received a number of Emmy Awards for outstanding education and political reporting. She was named one of the 25 most civic-minded women in New York City, in January 2012.
Melissa Russo Age
Russo is 55 years old as of 2023. She was born on November 19, 1968, in the United States. She celebrates her birthday on the 19th of November every year.
Melissa Russo Height
Russo stands at a height of approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m).
Melissa Russo Family
Russo was born and raised by her parents in the United States but she has disclosed the names of his parents and siblings. However, there will be an update of the information as soon as it’s available.
Melissa Russo Husband
Russo is married to Frack Gribbon, a fire department’s top spokesman. There is no information regarding the couple’s wedding or engagement.
Melissa Russo Children / Kids
The couple takes great pride in being the biological mom and dad to their daughter, Abigail. Russo is also a proud stepmother to her 2 stepdaughters, Kristin and Grace. The family happily lives in Manhattan, New York. Russo enjoys spending her free time with her husband and daughters, as well as their dog, Oliver.
Melissa Russo Salary
Being one of the top journalists for NBC 4 New York, she earns an annual salary ranging from $ 20,000 – $ 100,000.
Melissa Russo Net Worth
Russo has an estimated net worth of between $1 Million – $5 Million which she has earned through her successful career as a Reporter and Anchor.
Melissa Russo NBC 4 New York
At NBC 4 New York Russo works alongside;
- Gilma Avalos
- Pat Battle
- Bruce Beck
- Matt Brickman
- Erica Byfield
- Adelle Caballero
- John Chandler
- Michael Gargiulo
- Ted Greenberg
- Adam Kuperstein
- Maria LaRosa
- Rana Novini
- Natalie Pasquarella
- Dave Price
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