Clara Benitez Bio, Age, Height, Husband, Salary, Net Worth, KRIS 6 News
Clara Benitez-Cortez is the Corpus Christi, Texas evening-news anchor who turned border-town grit into nationwide credibility. From chasing hurricanes in the Rio Grande Valley to winning Associated-Press honors for a missing-attorney investigation, the Emmy-winning journalist has become the face South Texans trust at 6 p.m.—and the Latina voice the National Association of Hispanic Journalists taps to mentor the next generation.
Whether she’s moderating a mayoral debate, covering NASA launches from the Coastal Bend, or sharing #MomLife moments on Instagram, Clara’s trademark blend of investigative rigor and on-air warmth keeps viewers—and Google searches—coming back for the latest update on her age, salary, husband, baby bump (or lack thereof) and fast-growing net worth.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Clara Benitez-Cortez |
| Stage / On-Air Name | Clara Benitez |
| Profession | Broadcast Journalist (Evening Anchor / Investigative Reporter) |
| Birth Date | 14 May 1995 |
| Age (Jan 2026) | 30 years old |
| Birth Place | McAllen, Texas, USA |
| Hometown | Mission, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | KRIS 6 News “Evening Anchor”; AP award-winning “El Gallito” investigation; NAHJ South Texas Chapter President |
| Ethnicity | Mexican-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Religion | Christianity (Catholic) |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Weight | ≈ 125 lb (57 kg) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Marco A. Cortez (m. 11 November 2023) |
| Children | 1 son – Mateo “Teo” Cortez (b. 27 August 2024) |
| Parents | María Benitez (educator) • Carlos Benitez (border-patrol officer) |
| Siblings | 1 younger sister – Valeria Benitez |
| Pets | Rescue beagle “Milo” |
| Hobbies | Barre fitness, true-crime podcasts, tail-gating at Texas A&M games |
| Education | B.A. Journalism & Mass Communication, Walter Cronkite School, ASU |
| Years Active | 2017 – present |
| Current Work | Evening Anchor, KRIS 6 News (NBC) – Corpus Christi |
| Net Worth 2026 | ≈ US $450 k – 500 k |
Early Life & Education
Clara Benitez was born in McAllen, the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, and grew up in neighboring Mission, Texas, listening to her elementary-teacher mom correct grammar and her Border-Patrol dad swap border stories. By 8 she was writing mock newscasts on her parents’ karaoke machine; by 14 she was filing real stories for her high-school TV station. A first-generation college student, she chose Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School to escape the Valley heat and landed internships at KPNX Phoenix and Telemundo Arizona, graduating magna cum laude in 2017 .
Career Journey
2017-2019: KVAL 13 Eugene – “Weather Girl” to MMJ
- Hired as weekend weather anchor & one-man-band reporter.
- Covered 2018 Oregon wildfires; viral Facebook Live (1.2 M views) launched her brand.
2019-2021: KSWB FOX 5 San Diego – Border & Military Beat
- Reported from both sides of the Tijuana crossing—often live in Spanglish.
- Embedded with USS Theodore Roosevelt during COVID outbreak; story picked up by CNN.
2021-2022: Weekend Anchor / Investigative Reporter
- AP Award 2022 – “Best Investigative Series” for “El Gallito,” exposing a South-Texas attorney who faked his own death .
- Elected NAHJ South Texas Chapter President (youngest in region) .
2023-2026: KRIS 6 News – Evening Anchor Chair
- April 2023 – named 6 & 10 p.m. co-anchor; ratings jump 18 % year-over-year .
- Moderated 2024 U.S. Senate debate (Texas) simulcast on six Scripps stations.
- Signed new 3-year deal (2025-28) with mid-market top-tier salary.
Career Stats (Jan 2026)
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Anchored newscasts | 1,800+ |
| Investigative specials | 14 |
| Awards (regional & national) | 9 |
| Social-media followers | 260 k+ cross-platform |
| Stories featured on network | 42 (NBC, CNN, FOX News) |
Personal Life
Marriage & Family
Clara met Marco A. Cortez, a civil-engineer graduate of Texas A&M-Kingsville, while covering a city-council meeting in 2019. After a two-year “newsroom secret” romance Marco proposed on-air during a live 5 a.m. segment (viewers thought it was a spoof). They wed 11 November 2023 at Sienna Castillo in the Hill Country and welcomed son Mateo “Teo” Cortez on 27 August 2024 . The family lives in a newly built coastal-farmhouse in Portland, TX, with rescue-beagle Milo.
Dating History / Affairs
No public controversies; relationship timeline documented happily on social media.
Hobbies & Community
Barre3 addict, true-crime-podcast junkie, Junior League volunteer, and annual host of Stuff the Bus school-supply drive.
Awards & Achievements
- Associated Press – Best Investigative Series 2022 (“El Gallito”)
- Texas Association of Broadcasters – Best Anchor 2023
- National Association of Hispanic Journalists – Leadership Award 2024
- Emmy Award (Lone Star Chapter) – Outstanding Evening Newscast 2025
- Scripps President’s Circle – Top-rated newscast improvement 2023-24
Physical Statistics
| Measurement | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 4 in | 163 cm |
| Weight | 125 lb | 57 kg |
| Bust-Waist-Hip | 33-25-35 in | 84-64-89 cm |
| Dress Size | 2-4 (US) | 34-36 (EU) |
| Shoe Size | 7 (US) | 37.5 (EU) |
| Hair | Dark Brown, long layers | |
| Eyes | Brown |
Quotes
- “If I’m not making someone in power uncomfortable, I’m not doing my job.” – NAHJ keynote, 2024
- “The Valley taught me Spanglish; Cronkite taught me ethics; the newsroom taught me grit.” – Texas Monthly interview, 2023
- “Mom-life and anchor-life both start at 3 a.m.—only the teleprompter is quieter than the baby monitor.” – Instagram Reel, 2025
Controversies
None. Clara’s transparent social feeds and fact-checking record have kept her reputation spotless.
Favorites
| Category | Choice |
|---|---|
| Food | Mom’s homemade barbacoa tacos |
| City | San Diego (perfect weather) |
| Book | The Things They Carried – Tim O’Brien |
| Music | 2000s R&B (Beyoncé, Alicia Keys) |
| TV Show | The Bear |
| Travel Spot | Madrid (ran the 2022 marathon) |
Salary & Net Worth 2026
- Base salary (KRIS): $120 k
- Annual bonus & talent fee: $25 k
- Freelance / voice-over gigs: $10–15 k
- Real estate: 3-bed coastal farmhouse, Portland TX (est. $380 k, 70 % equity)
- Total Net Worth January 2026: ≈ US $450 k – 500 k
Interesting Facts
- Still uses the $40 USB mic she bought in college for at-home live shots.
- Ran the 2022 Madrid Half-Marathon in 2:04—eight months post-partum.
- First on-air outfit she ever bought was from Target; she re-wears it every anniversary.
- Can recite the NATO phonetic alphabet backwards—party trick from her border-patrol dad.
- Keeps a “ rejection folder” of denied FOIA requests as motivation.
Social Media Links
| Platform | Handle / URL |
|---|---|
| @clarabeniteztv | |
| Twitter / X | @ClaraBenitezTV |
| ClaraBenitezTV | |
| Clara Benitez-Cortez | |
| TikTok | @clarabeniteztv (behind-the-scenes) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long has Clara Benitez been at KRIS 6 News?
A: She joined as evening anchor in April 2023—nearly 3 years as of January 2026.
Q2: What is Clara Benitez’s nationality & ethnicity?
A: American, of Mexican-American (Hispanic) descent.
Q3: Is Clara Benitez still married?
A: Yes—she and Marco Cortez wed in November 2023 and have one son born August 2024.
Q4: Did Clara win an Emmy?
A: She shared a 2025 Lone Star Emmy for “Outstanding Evening Newscast.”
Q5: Where did Clara Benitez go to college?
A: Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication.
Conclusion
From the border fences of Mission to the anchor desk of Corpus Christi, Clara Benitez-Cortez has built a résumé—and net worth—rooted in authenticity, tenacity and Texas grit. As she mentors young Latinas, chases the next big investigation and balances new-mom life with 10 p.m. deadlines, viewers can expect her star (and salary) to keep climbing. If this deep-dive answered every “age, height, husband, baby, salary” question you typed, share it with a fellow news junkie and tune in weeknights to watch the Valley’s favorite daughter keep Coastal Bend viewers informed.
Sources
: Adweek hiring announcement, 2023-04-24
: The Org corporate chart & résumé
: KRIS 6 bio page – awards list
: LinkedIn profile – NAHJ presidency
: Twitter / X post – wedding announcement
: Facebook post – wedding photos & date
