Maria Durant Bio, Age, Height, Husband, Salary, ABC 6 and FOX 28

Maria Durant is a celebrated American broadcast journalist and six-time Emmy Award-winning reporter who became a household name in Central Ohio during her remarkable 26-year career with ABC 6 and FOX 28. Beyond her professional achievements, Durant has inspired millions as a two-time breast cancer survivor who transformed her personal health battles into a powerful platform for advocacy, early detection awareness, and cancer research fundraising. Her courageous decision to share her cancer journey publicly has saved countless lives by encouraging women to prioritize their health screenings.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Maria Durant’s journey to becoming one of Central Ohio’s most respected journalists began with a strong educational foundation. After completing her high school education, Durant pursued higher education at The Ohio State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Her time at OSU established her deep connection to the university that would later become central to both her professional and personal life.

Demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and versatility, Durant later returned to academia and obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2003. This legal education provided her with a unique perspective on investigative journalism and complex news stories involving legal and regulatory matters.

During her time at Ohio State, Durant developed the skills and network that would serve her throughout her career. Her educational background in both journalism and law distinguished her from many of her peers and equipped her with the analytical tools necessary for in-depth reporting on complex issues.

Career Journey

Early Career Beginnings (1997-2000)

Maria Durant began her journalism career in the late 1990s. While specific details about her first positions are limited, her early work established her reputation as a dedicated and talented reporter. Her commitment to excellence and storytelling ability quickly set her apart in the competitive broadcast journalism field.

ABC 6/FOX 28 Columbus (2000-2023)

Durant joined WSYX ABC 6 and WTTE FOX 28 in Columbus, Ohio, in 2000, beginning what would become a remarkable 26-year tenure at the station. This period represented the bulk of her professional career and established her as one of the most recognizable faces in Central Ohio news.

Weekend Morning Anchor & Reporter:
Durant became best known as the weekend anchor for “Good Day Columbus,” the station’s popular morning news program. She played a pivotal role in developing and piloting the weekend morning show, helping to establish its format and build its audience over many years.

Reporting Excellence:
Throughout her career, Durant covered a wide range of stories, from breaking news and politics to human interest features and community events. Her reporting style combined journalistic rigor with genuine empathy, particularly when covering sensitive health and community issues.

Notable Career Achievements:

• Six-time Emmy Award winner for excellence in broadcast journalism
• Multiple Associated Press Awards for outstanding reporting
• Honors from the Society of Professional Journalists
• Successfully piloted and developed the weekend morning news program
• Covered major Ohio State University events and Columbus community stories

Retirement and Transition (2023)

On June 10, 2023, Maria Durant announced her departure from ABC 6/FOX 28 after 26 years, with her final broadcast on June 18, 2023. In her announcement, she explained that “it is just the right time” to focus on her family and personal life.

Her retirement plans included:

• Spending more time with family
• Sharing weekends with her husband
• Attending church together on Sunday mornings
• Visiting her parents more frequently
• Traveling to Boston to see her son while he’s away at school

Since retirement, Durant has remained active in the Columbus community, particularly in cancer advocacy work and participating in Pelotonia, the annual cycling event that raises funds for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Maria Durant is married to a supportive husband whose name has not been publicly disclosed. The couple has one son who was attending school in Boston as of 2023. Durant has spoken publicly about the importance of family and how her career demands often required sacrifices in family time—particularly working weekends as a morning anchor.

Her decision to retire in 2023 was heavily influenced by her desire to reclaim family time, particularly the ability to attend church with her husband on Sundays and visit her aging parents more frequently.

Health Journey: Two-Time Breast Cancer Survivor

Durant’s personal health journey has been both challenging and inspirational, and she has used her platform to advocate for early detection and cancer awareness.

First Diagnosis (2006):
At age 36, Durant was first diagnosed with breast cancer. A routine baseline mammogram caught the disease early, allowing for successful treatment. She went public with her diagnosis and treatment, using her position as a journalist to educate viewers about the importance of mammograms.

Second Diagnosis (2019):
In May 2019, Durant received devastating news: her breast cancer had returned, 13 years after her first diagnosis. At age 52, she faced the disease again with characteristic courage and transparency.

She announced the diagnosis on air, stating: “About a month ago, a mammogram caught an early stage of cancer. Of course I was shocked, and truth be told, a little scared… I have beat it before, so it’s all good. I also have a strong faith in the Lord that will help me and everyone else get through this.”

Durant underwent a mastectomy at Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital in May 2019. Her pathology report showed the cancer had not spread, and she has been cancer-free since her treatment.

Advocacy Impact:
By sharing her story publicly, Durant has had a measurable impact on women’s health. She has received messages from numerous women who scheduled mammograms after hearing her story—potentially saving lives through early detection.

Community Involvement

Pelotonia:
Durant has been an active participant in Pelotonia, the annual grassroots bike tour that raises money for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has served as a team captain for “Riding in Stile,” organizing fundraising spin classes and cycling events.

In 2023, she appeared on her former station to promote Pelotonia, stating: “As a cancer survivor, this is one way for me to give back. I’ve been so fortunate that so many other people want to help do that as well.”

Mentoring Young Women:
Throughout her career, Durant dedicated time to mentoring and empowering young women at schools throughout Central Ohio, sharing her experiences and encouraging the next generation of journalists and community leaders.

Ohio State Buckeyes:
A proud Ohio State alumna, Durant is an enthusiastic supporter of Buckeyes football and athletics, often incorporating OSU stories into her reporting and community involvement.

Controversies

Maria Durant’s career has been notably free of professional controversies. She has maintained a reputation for journalistic integrity and professionalism throughout her 26-year career. The only public challenges she has faced have been her health battles, which she has handled with transparency and grace rather than controversy.

There were no public disputes, ethical violations, or professional conflicts during her tenure at ABC 6/FOX 28. Her departure from the station in 2023 was entirely voluntary and amicable, with the station paying tribute to her contributions.

Awards & Achievements

• Six-time Emmy Award winner for excellence in broadcast journalism
• Multiple Associated Press Awards for outstanding reporting
• Society of Professional Journalists Awards for journalistic excellence
• Ohio State University Alumni recognition for professional achievement and community service
• Pelotonia participant and team captain, raising tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research
• Community advocacy recognition for breast cancer awareness and early detection education

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“About a month ago, a mammogram caught an early stage of cancer. Of course I was shocked, and truth be told, a little scared. I have beat it before, so it’s all good. I also have a strong faith in the Lord that will help me and everyone else get through this.”
— Announcing her second breast cancer diagnosis (2019)

“My hope in sharing this journey is that women will take their own health seriously and get their mammogram because as you know, early detection does save lives.”
— On why she shares her cancer story publicly

“I don’t see myself as courageous or brave. One, because I’m so very lucky, and that they caught it early. There are so many other women out there that have had breast cancer at such a later stage. And those are the women that are courageous and brave. Those are the women that we need to celebrate.”
— On her cancer journey and honoring other survivors

“As a cancer survivor, this is one way for me to give back. I’ve been so fortunate that so many other people want to help do that as well.”
— On participating in Pelotonia (2023)

“It is just the right time. I will now be able to spend more time with my family, share weekends with my husband, go to church together on Sunday mornings, visit more with my parents, and will be able to travel to see our son while he’s away at school in Boston.”
— On her retirement decision (2023)

Favorites

Salary & Net Worth

At the time of her retirement in 2023, Maria Durant earned an average annual salary of $158,543 as a weekend anchor and reporter at ABC 6/FOX 28. This salary was consistent with experienced broadcast journalists in mid-sized markets.

As of 2026, Maria Durant’s estimated net worth is approximately $500,000 to $1 million, accumulated through:

• 26 years of broadcast journalism salary
• Potential speaking engagement fees
• Possible consulting work
• Investments and retirement savings

Her financial stability has allowed her to focus on retirement, family, and volunteer advocacy work rather than immediate employment.

Interesting Facts

1. Dual Degrees: Durant holds both a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University, making her one of the few TV journalists with a law degree.
2. Early Detection Advocate: After her first cancer diagnosis at 36, Durant has been a vocal advocate for baseline mammograms for women in their 30s, not just those over 40.
3. 26-Year Tenure: Her 26 years at the same TV station is virtually unheard of in modern broadcast journalism, where talent frequently moves between markets.
4. Pelotonia Team Captain: Even after retirement, Durant continues to captain a Pelotonia cycling team called “Riding in Stile,” which has raised over $40,000 for cancer research.
5. OSU Connection: Durant’s connection to Ohio State University spans education, health care (James Cancer Hospital), and athletics (Buckeyes football).
6. Mentorship Focus: Throughout her career, she made time to mentor young women at local schools, emphasizing empowerment and career development.
7. Transparent Health Journey: Unlike many public figures who keep health battles private, Durant chose to share both cancer diagnoses publicly to help others.
8. Faith Foundation: She has consistently credited her strong Christian faith as a key factor in her ability to face cancer twice with optimism.

Did You Know?

• Maria Durant’s decision to share her 2019 cancer diagnosis on air led to numerous women scheduling mammograms the very next day—directly demonstrating the power of her advocacy.
• She successfully balanced a demanding journalism career with law school, earning her J.D. in 2003 while working full-time in broadcasting.
• Durant’s son was attending school in Boston at the time of her retirement, and spending more time visiting him was a key factor in her decision to leave broadcasting.
• She has participated in Pelotonia cycling events despite not being a competitive cyclist, emphasizing that the event is about raising money rather than athletic prowess.
• Her 26-year career at ABC 6/FOX 28 spanned four different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s) and numerous technological changes in broadcast journalism.

Social Media Links

• Twitter/X: @mariawsyx6 (though activity may be limited post-retirement)
• Facebook: Maria Durant (personal page, used for retirement announcement)
• Instagram: Not publicly active
• LinkedIn: Limited professional presence
• Pelotonia Profile: Active participant page for fundraising

Note: Since her retirement in 2023, Durant has maintained a lower social media profile, focusing on private family time and selective advocacy appearances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long did Maria Durant work at ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus?
A: Maria Durant worked at ABC 6/FOX 28 for 26 years, from approximately 1997/2000 until her retirement in June 2023.

Q: How many Emmy Awards has Maria Durant won?
A: Maria Durant is a six-time Emmy Award winner for excellence in broadcast journalism, in addition to multiple Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists awards.

Q: Is Maria Durant a cancer survivor?
A: Yes, Maria Durant is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She was first diagnosed in 2006 at age 36, and then again in 2019 at age 52. She has been cancer-free since her second treatment.

Q: Where did Maria Durant go to college?
A: Maria Durant earned her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and later obtained her Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2003.

Q: Why did Maria Durant retire from ABC 6/FOX 28?
A: Durant retired in June 2023 to spend more time with her family, including her husband, parents, and son who was attending school in Boston. She also wanted to reclaim her weekends and attend church regularly with her husband.

Q: What is Pelotonia and what is Maria Durant’s involvement?
A: Pelotonia is an annual grassroots bike tour that raises money for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Durant has been an active participant and team captain for “Riding in Stile,” helping raise over $40,000 for cancer research.

Q: What was Maria Durant’s role at ABC 6/FOX 28?
A: Durant served as a weekend morning anchor for “Good Day Columbus” and was also a general assignment reporter covering major stories throughout Central Ohio.

Q: What is Maria Durant’s salary and net worth?
A: At retirement, Durant earned approximately $158,543 annually. Her estimated net worth as of 2026 is between $500,000 and $1 million.

Conclusion

Maria Durant’s legacy extends far beyond her six Emmy Awards and 26-year broadcasting career. Through her courageous transparency about her health battles, she has saved lives by encouraging women to prioritize early detection. Her transition from respected journalist to dedicated cancer advocate demonstrates her continued commitment to serving her community. As she enjoys retirement with her family in 2026, Durant remains an inspirational figure in Central Ohio—a testament to resilience, professionalism, and the power of using one’s platform for good.

If you found this biography informative and inspiring, please share it to help spread awareness about early cancer detection and celebrate the career of this remarkable journalist!