Samantha Cortese Bio, Age, Height, Husband, KTLA Career, Net Worth, Salary & Facts

Samantha Cortese is an American television journalist and digital media personality whose career has taken her from the desert heat of Palm Springs to the bustling newsrooms of Los Angeles. As a digital multimedia journalist and co-host at KTLA 5, she has built a reputation for versatility, warmth, and an ability to connect with viewers across traditional broadcast and emerging digital platforms. At 36, she balances a thriving media career with a marriage to a fellow television producer, embodying the modern Los Angeles media professional.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Samantha Cortese was born on August 26, 1989, in Palm Desert, California, a resort city in the Coachella Valley known for its golf courses, celebrity residents, and desert landscapes. She grew up in a close-knit family with her mother, Kathryn Cortese, and father, Brian Cortese. In January 2021, Samantha shared a touching childhood photo of her mother holding her, expressing her love and gratitude for the woman who helped shape her.

Her path to journalism began at Chapman University in Orange, California, where she enrolled at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. She graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Television and Broadcast Journalism. During her time at Chapman, Samantha was not just a student—she was a founder, producer, and anchor for Chapman News, the university’s student-run broadcast news program. This hands-on experience gave her early exposure to every aspect of television production, from writing and reporting to producing and anchoring.

Career Journey

Palm Springs Beginnings (2011–2013)

Fresh out of Chapman, Samantha launched her professional career in her home region of the Coachella Valley. She joined KESQ NewsChannel 3, the ABC affiliate in Palm Springs, as well as the CBS and MyNetworkTV affiliates KPSP and Local 2, serving as the morning reporter. Covering everything from desert wildfires to celebrity golf tournaments at the Bob Hope Classic, she cut her teeth in a market that demanded versatility and resilience.

By September 2013, Chapman University’s alumni magazine noted that Samantha had established herself as the morning reporter for the ABC and CBS affiliates in Palm Springs—a significant early achievement for a recent graduate.

Tucson and KGUN 9 (2013–2017)

Samantha’s next career stop took her to Tucson, Arizona, where she joined KGUN 9, the ABC affiliate. At KGUN, she served as a morning anchor and reporter, covering southern Arizona’s unique blend of border politics, desert ecology, and community stories. It was during her time in Tucson that she met the man who would become her husband.

In April 2017, Samantha announced her engagement to Chris Di Vincenzo, a producer at ABC7 Los Angeles. The proposal story became a lighthearted on-air segment, with Samantha donning a veil and sharing the romantic details with KGUN viewers.

KTLA 5 and “5 Live” (2017–Present)

After her wedding in May 2018, Samantha relocated to Los Angeles and joined KTLA 5, Tribune Broadcasting’s flagship station and one of the most-watched independent television stations in the country. At KTLA, she evolved into a digital multimedia journalist and co-host of “5 Live,” the station’s innovative digital streaming program.

“5 Live” represents the future of local news—a multi-platform show that streams across KTLA’s website, apps, and social media channels, targeting younger, digitally native audiences. As co-host, Samantha brings energy, authenticity, and a reporter’s instincts to conversations that range from breaking news and entertainment to lifestyle and community issues.

She works alongside a roster of KTLA talent that includes veteran anchors Frank Buckley, Sam Rubin, Lynette Romero, Henry DiCarlo, and Liberté Chan, among many others. Her role bridges traditional broadcast journalism and the digital-first content strategies that modern newsrooms demand.

Career Stats & Milestones

Personal Life

Marriage to Chris Di Vincenzo

Samantha and Chris Di Vincenzo were married on May 26, 2018, in what appeared to be an elegant ceremony. Chris works as a producer at ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC-TV), making the couple a true Los Angeles media power duo. Their shared understanding of the television industry—its demands, its rhythms, its unpredictability—has likely been a stabilizing force in their relationship.

The couple got engaged in April 2017 while Samantha was still working in Tucson. She shared the news with KGUN viewers in a memorable on-air segment, showcasing the playful personality that would later make her a natural fit for digital streaming content.

As of 2026, Samantha and Chris have been married for eight years. They have no children publicly disclosed, and Samantha has kept details of their home life relatively private, focusing her social media presence on career highlights, travel, and celebrations of their marriage.

Family Background

Samantha maintains a warm but guarded relationship with the public regarding her family. Her mother, Kathryn Cortese, has appeared in social media posts, including the January 2021 throwback photo that Samantha shared to honor her. Her father, Brian Cortese, is less visible in her public content. She has not disclosed information about siblings, if any.

Lifestyle and Interests

Living in Los Angeles, Samantha enjoys the city’s vibrant media scene, dining culture, and proximity to both mountains and ocean. Her Instagram presence suggests an appreciation for travel, fashion, and celebrating milestones—particularly wedding anniversaries, which she has marked publicly on May 26 each year. She is active across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X, though her follower counts are modest compared to national television personalities, reflecting her local-news focus.

Controversies

Samantha Cortese has maintained a remarkably clean public profile throughout her career. No major controversies, scandals, or professional disputes have surfaced. Her transition from traditional morning reporting to digital co-hosting at KTLA has been smooth, and she has avoided the pitfalls that sometimes befall journalists in the social media age.

The most notable “controversy” in her orbit is purely speculative: some biographical profiles estimate her age as being “in her 30s” without confirming her exact birth year, a common practice among television personalities who prefer to keep certain personal details private.

Awards & Achievements

• Chapman University Alumni Success Story — Featured in Class Notes (2013)
• KTLA 5 “5 Live” Co-Host — Leading digital streaming program at a major-market independent station
• Multi-Platform Journalist — Successfully transitioned from traditional broadcast to digital multimedia reporting

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“Samantha Cortese, BFA television and broadcast journalism ’11, is the morning reporter for the ABC and CBS affiliates in Palm Springs.”
— Chapman University Class Notes, Fall 2013

Favorites

• City: Los Angeles (current home); Palm Desert (hometown); Tucson (career formative years)
• University: Chapman University (alma mater)
• Industry: Broadcast journalism and digital media
• Hobbies: Travel, photography, social media engagement
• Anniversary Tradition: Publicly celebrating May 26 wedding date

Earnings

Samantha Cortese’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $5 million as of 2026, according to industry estimates. Her income derives from:

• KTLA 5 Salary: Estimated annual compensation of $45,000–$110,500 for her role as digital multimedia journalist and co-host
• Digital Content: Potential additional revenue from KTLA’s digital platforms and social media partnerships
• Spousal Income: Husband Chris Di Vincenzo’s salary as an ABC7 Los Angeles producer contributes to household financial stability

These figures are estimates, as local television journalists’ salaries vary widely based on market size, tenure, and contract negotiations.

Interesting Facts

• Samantha was a founder, producer, and anchor of Chapman News while still an undergraduate—rare hands-on leadership experience for a college journalist.
• She met her husband, Chris, while working in Tucson and he was already established in Los Angeles television.
• She publicly celebrated her third wedding anniversary on Instagram on May 26, 2021, showing her appreciation for marking personal milestones.
• Her career trajectory—Palm Springs → Tucson → Los Angeles—follows a classic local television news progression through progressively larger markets.
• She has worked alongside some of KTLA’s most iconic talent, including entertainment reporter Sam Rubin and meteorologist Henry DiCarlo.

Did You Know Already?

• Samantha graduated from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, one of the top film schools in the country.
• Her engagement announcement at KGUN 9 included her wearing a veil on-air while telling the proposal story.
• KTLA’s “5 Live” is a digital-first streaming program, representing the station’s strategy to reach audiences who consume news outside traditional broadcast times.
• She shares her birthday, August 26, with the anniversary of the 19th Amendment (Women’s Equality Day) and notable figures like Melissa McCarthy and Chris Pine.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: Active personal account (modest following, career-focused content)
• Facebook: Active presence (~10,000+ followers)
• Twitter/X: Active (~5,600+ followers)
• KTLA Profile: KTLA 5 Author Page
• IMDb: Samantha Cortese

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Samantha Cortese’s career is a textbook example of modern local television journalism evolution—from traditional morning reporting in desert markets to digital streaming co-hosting at one of America’s most storied independent stations. At 36, with nearly 15 years in the industry, a stable marriage to a fellow media professional, and a platform that reaches Angelenos across multiple screens, she represents the adaptable, multi-skilled journalist that contemporary newsrooms require. Whether anchoring breaking news or chatting with viewers on “5 Live,” Samantha Cortese brings the warmth and professionalism that have defined her journey from Palm Desert to the heart of Hollywood.

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