Marion Brooks NBC 5, Age, Height, Husband, Cancer, & Daughter
Marion Brooks is an American Emmy-winning anchor and reporter at NBC 5 Chicago, where she commands your screens at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. every weekday—and occasionally dives deep as part of the NBC 5 Investigates team. Oh, and since 2017, she’s also been your go-to co-host for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon broadcast. Because running a marathon on TV is way more fun than running one in person.
Before NBC 5 claimed her as their own in 1998, Marion was anchoring and reporting in Atlanta at WSB-TV, where she honed the skills, empathy, and on-camera poise that would eventually make her a Midwest powerhouse. Marion Brooks walks into a newsroom, the news practically straightens its tie.
Marion doesn’t just report the news—she tells it, feels it, and fights for it. Her investigative work often zooms in on social and criminal justice issues, leading to powerful projects like The Lost Story of Emmett Till: The Universal Child. This wasn’t just a history lesson—it was a deeply personal dive into America’s legacy through a modern lens.
In 2020, while many of us were still figuring out how to make sourdough, Marion launched Race in Chicago, NBC 5’s powerful response to racial unrest. The multi-platform initiative gave a voice to those who had experienced racism firsthand, through digital series like Say the Word, Say the Name, and a televised memorial to victims of racially motivated killings. The project won national recognition from the National Alliance for Women in Media—because when Marion tells a story, people listen.
But wait—there’s more.
Her award-winning series on Sex Trafficking in Chicago pulled back the curtain on a dark underworld and earned her a Gracie Award and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award (cue newsroom mic drop). She also helped launch The Survivor’s Project, a brave, beautiful digital platform where survivors of sexual violence shared not just their trauma—but their strength. The project was honored with yet another Murrow Award and the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s Silver Dome Award, because… of course it was.
How Old is Marion Brooks From NBC5?
Marion is 62 years old as of 2025. Born on April 18, 1963, in Portland, Oregon, she’s been making April a whole lot classier every year since. Yes, she celebrates her birthday on April 18.
Where Did Marion Brooks go to College?
She’s a proud graduate of Spelman College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. Basically, she’s been slaying headlines and sentence structure ever since.
Does Marion Brooks Have Cancer?
Nope—there are no reports or indications that Marion has ever been diagnosed with cancer. You might be mixing her up with Jasmine Brooks (different station, different story), who courageously opened up in early 2024 about her battle with an illness related to breast implants. Marion, however, remains healthy and focused on reporting the news, not being it.
What’s Marion Brooks’ Nationality and Ethnicity?
Marion is American by birth, born and bred in Portland, Oregon. She proudly identifies as African-American, and she represents with grace and power on and off the screen.
How tall is Marion Brooks?
Marion towers at a statuesque 6 feet 2 inches (1.87 m). She’s not just making headlines—she’s making ceilings nervous.
Who are Marion Brooks’ Parents?
Marion was raised in Portland by her loving parents: Margret Brooks (mom) and Sam Brooks (dad). Clearly, greatness runs in the family.
What’s Marion Brooks’ Net Worth?
With a career packed with awards, high-profile stories, and serious journalistic chops, Marion’s estimated net worth lands somewhere between $1–$5 million. Yes, she’s got receipts and resources.
Does Marion Brooks have Children?
Indeed, she does, Marion and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters: Sydney Hawkins and Brooks Hawkins. (Yes, Brooks has a daughter named Brooks—it’s a power move.)
Who is Marion Brooks’ Husband?
She’s been happily married to Ruye Hawkins, a lawyer based in Orlando, since March 2005. Their wedding? Super intimate, officiated by Rev. Willie T. Barrow in the serene setting of Lake Tahoe, California. That’s what we call legally and romantically binding.
Is Marion Brooks Still Married?
Yes! Marion and Ruye are still going strong, proving that love (and journalism) can stand the test of time.
What’s Marion Brooks’ Salary?
As one of NBC 5’s go-to anchors, Marion earns an estimated $72,000 to $98,000 per year—and considering the quality she brings to the newsroom, that’s a bargain.
Marion Brooks NBC5, Chicago
Marion Brooks is an American Emmy-winning anchor and reporter at NBC 5 Chicago, where she commands your screens at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. every weekday—and occasionally dives deep as part of the NBC 5 Investigates team. Oh, and since 2017, she’s also been your go-to co-host for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon broadcast. Because running a marathon on TV is way more fun than running one in person.
Before NBC 5 claimed her as their own in 1998, Marion was anchoring and reporting in Atlanta at WSB-TV, where she honed the skills, empathy, and on-camera poise that would eventually make her a Midwest powerhouse. Marion Brooks walks into a newsroom, the news practically straightens its tie.
Marion doesn’t just report the news—she tells it, feels it, and fights for it. Her investigative work often zooms in on social and criminal justice issues, leading to powerful projects like The Lost Story of Emmett Till: The Universal Child. This wasn’t just a history lesson—it was a deeply personal dive into America’s legacy through a modern lens.
In 2020, while many of us were still figuring out how to make sourdough, Marion launched Race in Chicago, NBC 5’s powerful response to racial unrest. The multi-platform initiative gave a voice to those who had experienced racism firsthand, through digital series like Say the Word, Say the Name, and a televised memorial to victims of racially motivated killings. The project won national recognition from the National Alliance for Women in Media—because when Marion tells a story, people listen.
But wait—there’s more.
Her award-winning series on Sex Trafficking in Chicago pulled back the curtain on a dark underworld and earned her a Gracie Award and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award (cue newsroom mic drop). She also helped launch The Survivor’s Project, a brave, beautiful digital platform where survivors of sexual violence shared not just their trauma—but their strength. The project was honored with yet another Murrow Award and the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s Silver Dome Award, because… of course it was.
