Donna Gregory was a prominent American news anchor and journalist known for her extensive career in television news.
She was particularly recognized for her work at WRAL in Raleigh and WWAY in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she served as an anchor and co-host.
Gregory tragically died at the age of 61 in November 2024.
Donna Gregory Wiki
Donna Gregory was born in the United States and grew up in Atlanta with a passion for storytelling and journalism. She earned her college degree at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in Radio/TV and theatre.
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Career
Gregory began her journalism career in local news, working as a news anchor-reporter at WMBD-TV in Peoria and KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City . Gregory served as a weekday news anchor for WRAL in Raleigh from 1988 until 1996, where she became a well-known figure in local news broadcasting anchoring the 5:30pm and 11:00pm newscasts.
At WRAL, Donna Gregory also hosted the station’s coverage of the annual Raleigh Christmas Parade and frequently traveled to NCAA Final Four tournaments to co-anchor WRAL sports specials. In 1996 Gregory left WRAL-TV to KMSP-TV in Minneapolis, where she anchored the midday newscast until March 1997. She then joined WNCN-TV as a primary weekday anchor. She worked at WNCN until 2001, when she left the station to form her own communications company.
In the early 2000s, she served as an anchor and correspondent for major networks such as MSNBC, CNBC, and NBC Nightly News, holding those positions until 2008.
In 2019, Gregory joined WWAY in Wilmington as a news anchor after coming out of semi-retirement to fill in for another anchor battling cancer. Her role quickly became permanent, where she became known for her engaging storytelling and dedication to journalism. She co-hosted “Good Morning Carolina” and anchored “WWAY News at Noon,” earning the admiration of both colleagues and viewers.
Throughout her career, Donna Gregory received numerous accolades for her contributions to journalism. She was recognized not only for her reporting skills but also for her mentorship of aspiring journalists. Her ability to connect with audiences made her a beloved figure in the Wilmington community.
In addition to her on-air work, Gregory was involved in various community initiatives and charitable organizations. She served on the Emeritus Board of NC Theatre in Raleigh and participated in the Coastal Advisory Council of Make-a-Wish Eastern NC.
Personal Life
Donna Gregory was a devoted mother to four children: Sam, Callan, Avery, and Everett. She also cherished her role as a grandmother to two grandchildren, Hayes and Coley.
In April 2024, Donna was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer after experiencing persistent health issues. Despite the diagnosis, she approached her illness with grace and determination, sharing her journey with viewers while undergoing treatment that included chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Tragically, Donna Gregory passed away on November 19, 2024, surrounded by loved ones who supported her throughout her battle with cancer.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mom, Donna Hoerdemann. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, surrounded by her children: Sam, Callan, Avery, and Everett,” her family said in a statement. “She was the heart of every room she entered, always making everyone feel welcome and at ease. She could create a meal out of anything she found in the fridge, turning ordinary moments into something special. A genuine listener, she had a rare gift of making anyone she spoke with feel like the most important person in the world.”
