Omar Jimenez: CNN, Age, Wife, Education, Family, Children, and Net Worth
Omar Jimenez – Biography and Wiki
Omar Jimenez is an Emmy Award-winning American journalist currently serving as a correspondent for CNN, based in New York City. Before relocating to the network’s New York bureau, he was stationed in Chicago beginning in 2019. Prior to joining CNN, Jimenez worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor at WBAL-TV in Baltimore, Maryland.
Education
Jimenez graduated from Kennesaw Mountain High School in Georgia and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. While at Northwestern, he was a member of the men’s basketball team, balancing academics with athletics.
Omar Jimenez Age and Birthday
Omar Jimenez is 31 years old as of 2025. He was born on November 27, 1993, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and celebrates his birthday every 27th of November.
Nationality and Ethnicity
Born and raised in the United States, Jimenez holds American nationality. He is of Colombian-American heritage, with his father originally from Colombia.
Omar Jimenez Height and Weight
Omar stands at an impressive 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds (84 kg).
Omar Jimenez Parents | Brothers
Omar Jimenez was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and raised in Kennesaw, Georgia. His mother, Dr. Jayne Morgan, is an African American cardiologist, while his father, Dr. Omar Jimenez Jr., is a Colombian-born neurosurgeon. Jimenez is one of four brothers and proudly identifies as Afro-Latino, reflecting both his African American and Colombian heritage. Following his parents’ divorce when he was in sixth grade, Omar primarily lived with his mother, who played a central role in his upbringing.
Omar Jimenez Mother
Omar Jimenez’s mother is Jayne Middlebrooks (a cardiologist), and an American who has played a significant role in his upbringing and personal development. Following her divorce from Omar’s father when he was in sixth grade, Jayne largely raised Omar and his siblings. While Omar maintains a level of privacy regarding his family life, he has occasionally mentioned his mother’s support and influence on his career and values.
Omar Jimenez Maya Voelk | Wedding | Wife
Omar Jimenez is currently married to his wife Maya Voelk, a longtime partner and fellow journalist. The couple tied the knot over the Fourth of July weekend in 2024 at the scenic Seattle Tennis Club, surrounded by 145 of their closest friends and family
Their journey to the altar began in March 2023, when Jimenez proposed to Voelk during a surprise rooftop moment at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in New York. “[I got] down on one knee and asked the love of my life to marry me,” Jimenez told PEOPLE.
The ceremony was officiated by Jimenez’s best friend, Nick Petro, and featured heartfelt, handwritten vows. The couple exchanged custom-designed rings by Keren Stonehill Creations. Voelk stunned in a custom Lihi Hod gown, which included an architectural bodice, a sleek silhouette, and a dramatic four-foot detachable train.
Interestingly, both Jimenez and Voelk attended Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, though they were just a year apart and never met during their time on campus.
When it came to their guest list, the couple intentionally kept it intimate. Despite Jimenez’s public profile, no celebrity guests were invited. As they explained, the goal was to “keep the focus on bringing together our families and closest friends.”
Now enjoying married life, Omar and Maya say they’re in no rush to have children, choosing instead to focus on their relationship and shared adventures as newlyweds.
Is Omar Jimenez Gay?
There is no public record or statement from Omar Jimenez regarding his sexual orientation. However he is currently married toMaya Voelk.
Omar Jimenez CNN
Omar began his CNN journey in 2017, working with CNN Newsource in Washington, D.C., where he provided live reports for more than 900 affiliate stations across the country and abroad. During this time, he covered breaking news in the U.S., France, and Mexico.
Some of his notable assignments included:
Reporting from Paris after the Notre Dame Cathedral fire.
Covering the Las Vegas mass shooting, the deadliest in modern U.S. history.
Field reporting during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, part of CNN’s Emmy-nominated coverage.
Before CNN, Jimenez worked for WBAL-TV in Baltimore, where he was nominated for an individual Emmy and led coverage on critical stories such as:
The trials of officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray.
A deep-dive Emmy-winning special on the opioid epidemic in Maryland.
Investigative reports on child sex trafficking in the state.
He started his on-air career as a multimedia journalist at WGEM-TV in Quincy, Illinois, reporting on a range of issues including the local methamphetamine trade.
Omar Jimenez Arrest in Minneapolis
On May 29, 2020, while covering the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis, Jimenez and his CNN crew were arrested live on air by Minnesota State Police. The arrest, which was widely condemned and sparked national debate about press freedom, occurred even after Jimenez identified himself and his crew as members of the media. The journalists were released shortly afterward once their credentials were verified.
Basketball Background
In addition to his journalism credentials, Omar is also a former athlete. He played men’s basketball throughout his college years at Northwestern University and even hosted the Big Buck Hunter World Championships in 2013 and 2014.
Salary
As a prominent CNN correspondent, Jimenez is estimated to earn an annual salary of around $220,000.
Net Worth
Through his successful journalism career, Omar Jimenez has accumulated an estimated net worth of $1 million to $3 million.
