Sade Baderinwa is a prominent American broadcast journalist and news anchor best known for co-anchoring the weekday 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. editions of Eyewitness News on WABC-TV in New York City. Since joining the ABC flagship station in 2003, she has become a fixture of Tri-State area television news, recognized for her steady presence during major breaking stories and civic events.
While viewers know her voice and face from nightly broadcasts, her path to the anchor desk involved overcoming significant personal hurdles, including a life-threatening hit-and-run accident in 2004 that required extensive surgeries and months of grueling physical therapy.
Early Life and Background
Born Folasade Olayinka Baderinwa on April 14, 1969, in Baltimore, Maryland, she comes from a diverse heritage with a Nigerian father and a German mother. Her early childhood involved complex family dynamics. When she was young, her mother left, and her father returned to Africa. She was initially cared for by family friends before being adopted by Edie House, an anchor at WBAL-TV, and welcomed into an African American family in Baltimore. Around age 12, she reconnected with her birth mother and lived for a period in Montgomery County, Maryland. Today, she maintains contact with both her biological family members and her adoptive family.
For higher education, Baderinwa attended the University of Maryland, College Park. She graduated from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources with a degree in agricultural business and resource economics—a non-traditional academic starting point for someone destined for a broadcast career.
Early Journalism Career
Before landing in the competitive New York media market, Baderinwa worked her way up through regional television newsrooms. Her early industry exposure included supporting roles behind the scenes on various national programs for ABC News, such as Nightline, World News Tonight, and This Week with David Brinkley.
She transitioned to local reporting roles, working as a reporter trainee at WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C., and later as a reporter at WSLS-TV in Roanoke, Virginia. In February 2000, she joined WBAL-TV in her home state of Baltimore as an anchor for morning and noon newscasts, while also hosting a weekly community affairs program that deepened her connection to local storytelling.
Joining WABC-TV and Eyewitness News
In 2003, Baderinwa made the major leap to WABC-TV in New York City, starting as a reporter and anchor for the noon news. Her natural poise and reporting acumen quickly earned her a prominent role on the station's flagship evening broadcasts. She began co-anchoring the 5 p.m. Eyewitness News alongside Diana Williams, establishing a strong on-air chemistry that resonated with viewers across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
In May 2011, she expanded her footprint at the station by taking over as co-anchor of the 11 p.m. newscast alongside Bill Ritter, succeeding Liz Cho. Over more than two decades at WABC-TV, she has covered everything from local political scandals and severe weather events to major cultural celebrations and national tragedies. You can learn more about the station's programming lineup on the WABC-TV Official Site.
The 2004 Hit-and-Run Incident and Recovery
One of the most defining moments of Baderinwa's public life occurred on July 23, 2004. While reporting on severe flooding and storm damage in Hackensack, New Jersey, she was struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident.
The collision caused severe injuries that required multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy. Despite the severity of her trauma, her return to television on December 13, 2004, was marked by resilience. She continued her physical therapy routines long after returning to the anchor desk. The driver responsible for the incident was never apprehended, but her transparent handling of the ordeal earned her widespread respect from viewers and colleagues alike.
Community Involvement and Public Profile
Beyond her nightly news duties, Baderinwa is active in civic and community initiatives across the New York metropolitan area. She frequently participates in local charity events, mentors aspiring journalists, and has served as a moderator for high-profile events, including celebrations for International Women's Day hosted in conjunction with the United Nations. Her public platform allows her to advocate for education, youth empowerment, and community engagement.
According to public Wikipedia Coverage on Sade Baderinwa, her career remains a cornerstone of modern local broadcast journalism, representing longevity and trust in an industry undergoing rapid digital transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Sade Baderinwa's co-anchors on WABC-TV?
She currently co-anchors the weekday 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcasts alongside Bill Ritter and Mike Marza, depending on the specific edition and station schedule.
Is Sade Baderinwa married?
She keeps her personal life largely private and has not publicly shared details regarding a marriage or children, focusing primarily on her journalism career and civic work.
Where did Sade Baderinwa go to college?
She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, earning her degree from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in agricultural business and resource economics.
How long has she been with WABC-TV?
She joined WABC-TV in New York City in 2003 and has remained a core anchor for the station for over two decades.
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