Debora Patta, CBS News, Bio, Age, Husband, Family, Salary and Net Worth
Debora Patta Biography & Wiki
Debora Patta is a Zimbabwean-born South African broadcast journalist, investigative reporter, and producer, widely recognized for her fearless journalism and incisive storytelling. She has Italian ancestry, with roots tracing back to Calabria. Patta currently serves as the Africa correspondent for CBS News, contributing to major programs such as The CBS Evening News, CBS Mornings, and CBS News Streaming. Before joining CBS in 2013, she was best known in South Africa for her work on the long-running investigative program 3rd Degree.
How Old is Debora Patta? | Age and Birthday
Debora Patta is 60 years old as of 2025. She was born on September 1, 1964, in Southern Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe. She celebrates her birthday each year on September 1, and her zodiac sign is Virgo.
Education | High School and University
Patta attended Rustenburg School for Girls, located in the Rondebosch suburb of Cape Town. She later graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Social Science degree. During her university years, she also worked part-time as an aerobics instructor.
Nationality and Ethnicity
Debora Patta holds South African nationality, though she was born in Zimbabwe. She is of Caucasian ethnicity, with Italian heritage through her father, who emigrated from Rome.
Height and Physical Appearance
Debora Patta stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall (1.72 meters) and weighs around 132 pounds (60 kilograms). She is known for her sharp, professional appearance, with blonde hair, brown eyes, and a poised demeanor. Her body measurements are estimated to be 34-25-36.
Family Background | Parents and Early Life
Debora was born to an Italian father, who worked as a railway employee, and a Zimbabwean mother, who was a nurse and a devout Catholic. In 1976, after her parents divorced, she moved to South Africa with her mother and sister. Her early life experiences, including living through apartheid and racial tensions in Southern Africa, shaped her strong sense of justice and journalistic grit.
Married | Husband and Children
She is currently in a relationship with her partner; Andrew Levy, previously she was married to her former husband, Mweli Mzizi, a Black South African filmmaker, in 1995. Their interracial marriage was rare and often scrutinized at the time. The couple made headlines in 2000 when they attempted to enter a whites-only picnic area in the Free State. The incident, captured on hidden cameras, aired on 3rd Degree as an exposé on racism. Sadly, the couple divorced in 2002.
She later married Lance Levitas. Debora is the proud mother of two children, including her eldest daughter, Chiara Mzizi, who has appeared on SABC 1’s youth program YO-TV as a presenter.
Debora Patta Health
As of 2025, there are no public reports of serious health issues affecting Debora Patta. She continues to be active in the field, covering some of the most pressing issues across the African continent for CBS News. Her resilience and energy remain a hallmark of her decades-long journalism career.
Books by Debora Patta
Though Debora Patta has not authored a book as of 2025, she is often cited in works about investigative journalism, race relations in South Africa, and media ethics. Her journalistic pieces, especially during her time on 3rd Degree, are frequently used in academic discussions on press freedom and racial justice.
Debora Patta at CBS News
Patta joined CBS News in 2013 after a remarkable run with e.tv, where she held multiple roles, including chief reporter, executive producer, and anchor of 3rd Degree from 2000 to 2013. Her work for CBS includes coverage of global health crises, political upheavals, conflict zones, and humanitarian emergencies across Africa. Patta appears on The CBS Evening News, CBS Mornings, and CBS News Streaming, bringing compelling, on-the-ground journalism to an international audience.
Salary
Debora Patta reportedly earns an annual salary of approximately $250,000 as a correspondent for CBS News. Her extensive international experience, frontline reporting, and high-profile interviews contribute to her well-deserved compensation.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Debora Patta’s estimated net worth is $3 million. Her wealth stems from over two decades in journalism, including high-level roles at e.tv, anchoring major investigative programs, and serving as a prominent face of CBS News in Africa.
