Sandra Smith is 46 years old, born on September 22, 1980. She has spent nearly two decades anchoring and reporting on major broadcast networks. Best known as the co-anchor of America Reports on the Fox News Channel alongside John Roberts, Smith carved out a prominent path in television news after starting her professional life on Wall Street trading floors.
Early Life and Athletic Roots in Illinois
Growing up in Wheaton, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Smith developed a strong competitive drive early on. She attended Wheaton Warrenville South High School, where she stood out as a distance runner. She served as the captain of the cross-country team during her senior year and earned multiple letters in both cross-country and track, securing All-Conference honors before graduating in 1998.
Her family environment also heavily influenced her early career trajectory. Her father worked as a floor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, exposing her to the fast-paced mechanics of finance and equities from an early age.
For her higher education, Smith initially attended Illinois State University before transferring to Louisiana State University (LSU). At LSU, she continued her athletic career by competing in Division I track and field, running events that included the 1,500 meters, mile, and steeplechase. She graduated with a degree in finance and a minor in speech, setting the stage for a specialized financial career.
From Wall Street Trading Floors to Business Journalism
Unlike many traditional broadcast journalists who start local news reporting straight out of college, Smith entered the corporate financial sector. Her early jobs gave her deep technical familiarity with markets long before she ever stood in front of a studio camera:
- Aegis Capital Group: Began as a research associate, analyzing retail stocks and writing investment newsletters.
- Hermitage Capital Corporation: Worked as a trader in New York City, executing equities and options orders.
- Terra Nova Institutional: Served as director of institutional sales and trading in Chicago, managing hedge fund accounts and building program trading models.
This background caught the attention of media executives when she transitioned into television. She joined Bloomberg Television as an on-air reporter, covering U.S. equities, derivatives, and breaking market updates.
Rise at Fox Business and Fox News
In October 2007, Smith joined the newly launched Fox Business Network (FBN) as a reporter. Her ability to break down complex economic data made her a fixture on the network. She became a regular contributor to Imus in the Morning and a frequent presence on programs like Happy Hour.
Her role expanded across the broader Fox News ecosystem over the next decade:
- Outnumbered: In April 2014, she became one of the original co-hosts of the daytime talk program Outnumbered, discussing daily cultural and political headlines.
- America's Newsroom: She transitioned to co-anchoring the morning news block, partnering with Bill Hemmer to cover breaking domestic and international stories.
- America Reports: In January 2021, Smith took over the 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET afternoon slot alongside John Roberts, where they conduct high-profile interviews with lawmakers, policy experts, and newsmakers.
You can learn more about her current broadcasting schedule through the official Fox News Profile.
Personal Life and Off-Screen Interests
Smith married John Conolly, a former financial executive, in May 2010. The couple met during their earlier days working together in the Chicago financial sector. They live in New York City with their two children, a daughter named Cora and a son named John Jr.
Despite her demanding schedule in cable news, she maintains the disciplined fitness habits developed during her track-and-field days, frequently incorporating distance running into her daily routine to manage the stress of live broadcasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sandra Smith born?
Sandra Smith was born on September 22, 1980, in Wheaton, Illinois.
What is Sandra Smith's current show on Fox News?
She co-anchors America Reports alongside John Roberts, which airs weekdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
Did Sandra Smith work in journalism right out of college?
No. She spent years working in the financial sector as a stock researcher, equities trader, and institutional sales director before moving into financial journalism with Bloomberg.
Where did Sandra Smith go to college?
She attended Illinois State University before transferring to Louisiana State University (LSU), where she graduated with a business degree and competed as a Division I track athlete.
