Sarah Abo Bio, Nine Network, Age, Height, Husband, Family, Today Show, 60 Minutes & Facts

Sarah Abo is one of Australia’s most prominent television journalists—a Syrian-born presenter who has risen from archiving footage in a Melbourne newsroom to co-hosting one of the nation’s most-watched breakfast programs and moderating federal election debates. As co-host of the Nine Network’s Today alongside Karl Stefanovic and a veteran 60 Minutes reporter, she has interviewed world leaders, covered global conflicts, and navigated the unique challenges of being a migrant woman in Australian media. At 39, with a new baby on the way after years of fertility struggles, Abo stands at both a personal and professional crossroads, embodying the resilience that has defined her journey from Damascus to the Today desk.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Sarah Abo was born on November 8, 1986, in Damascus, Syria, to Fouad and Samia Abo, both highly educated professionals who held PhDs. In 1990, when Sarah was just four years old, her parents made the life-altering decision to move Sarah and her two younger sisters, Yara and Shaza, to Australia in search of a better life.

The family’s early years in Australia were marked by sacrifice and adaptation. They initially stayed with family friends in Melbourne, sharing bedrooms and even sleeping on the living room floor during their first year. Her parents, fluent in Arabic and French but with limited English, restarted their careers from scratch—her mother Samia at La Trobe University and her father Fouad at the Environment Protection Authority—while juggling multiple jobs to support the household.

The family eventually purchased a home in Greensborough, a Melbourne suburb, where Sarah grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood. She attended Our Lady of Mercy College in Heidelberg, where she was one of the few Syrian students, forming friendships with children of Italian, Greek, and Asian heritage. Sunday evenings became a ritual of watching 60 Minutes together as a family—a window into Australian and global affairs that would later influence her career path.

She graduated from Monash University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), majoring in Journalism and also studying French. During her honours year, she undertook work experience at Network Ten’s Melbourne newsroom, which transitioned into her first paid role.

Career Journey

Network Ten: From Archive Room to Reporter (2008–2013)

Abo’s television career began in 2008 during her honours year at Monash, when she started as a production assistant at Network Ten’s Melbourne newsroom. Her duties included archiving historical footage in the news library, operating the autocue, preparing weather scripts, and handling calls for the chief of staff. After graduating in 2009, she relocated to Network Ten’s Adelaide newsroom as a full-time reporter, spending two years covering local news before returning to Melbourne in approximately 2011 for another three years as a reporter.

SBS: Global Correspondent (2013–2019)

In 2013, Abo joined SBS Television as a reporter and presenter, contributing to SBS World News, Dateline, Insight, and Small Business Secrets. Her six-year tenure was defined by major international assignments: the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, the 2016 US presidential election in Washington, D.C., the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, and the 2017–2018 refugee crisis in Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece. In 2014, she completed a prestigious fellowship at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Nine Network and 60 Minutes (2019–2023)

In January 2019, Abo made the leap to the Nine Network, joining the veteran reporting team on 60 Minutes. She quickly established herself as one of Australia’s most formidable investigative journalists, securing exclusive interviews with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed, climate activist Greta Thunberg, Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, and Taliban leader Suhail Shaheen. She also regularly filled in as co-host of Today, including in March 2022 when regular co-host Allison Langdon contracted COVID-19.

Today Co-Host and the Leaders’ Debate (2022–present)

In May 2022, Abo was chosen to moderate the second leaders’ debate between then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese ahead of the federal election. Her performance drew praise, though it also made her the target of a controversial and racist tweet from Mark Latham, then-leader of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. Latham tweeted, “never trust an Abo with something as important as that”—using a highly offensive racial slur against Aboriginal Australians. The Nine Network condemned the remarks and reported them to authorities, while praising Abo’s professional handling of the debate.

In November 2022, Nine announced Abo as the new permanent co-host of Today, replacing Allison Langdon, who moved to A Current Affair following Tracy Grimshaw’s retirement. Abo made her debut alongside Karl Stefanovic on January 16, 2023. The pairing has proven dynamic, with their “genuinely lighthearted and warm rapport” making them one of Australia’s most popular breakfast television duos. In December 2023, she was announced as co-host of Carols by Candlelight with David Campbell.

Contract and Salary

In November 2025, Abo reportedly inked a new deal to remain on Today alongside Stefanovic in 2026, dispelling rumors that former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage might replace her. Her salary is reported at approximately $800,000 annually, compared to Stefanovic’s estimated $3 million. Despite the disparity, she has become an indispensable part of the program, which has averaged around 300,000 metropolitan viewers daily during her tenure.

Career Stats

Television Stations:

• Network Ten (2008–2013) — Production Assistant → Reporter (Adelaide and Melbourne)
• SBS Television (2013–2019) — Reporter/Presenter (World News, Dateline, Insight, Small Business Secrets)
• Nine Network (2019–present) — 60 Minutes Reporter; Today Co-Host (since Jan 2023)

Major Interviews:

• Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
• Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed
• Climate activist Greta Thunberg
• Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska
• Taliban leader Suhail Shaheen

Awards:

• Gold Award, Mediaweek’s Next of the Best awards (May 2023) — Recognizing outstanding under-40 talent in Australian media

Personal Life

Marriage to Cyrus Moran

Sarah Abo married Cyrus Moran on December 15, 2012. The couple has maintained a private, stable marriage for over 13 years. Details about Moran’s profession are not publicly available, reflecting the couple’s commitment to keeping their personal life out of the tabloids.

Pregnancy Announcement

On March 11, 2026, Abo made a deeply personal announcement live on Today: she is pregnant and expecting a boy. She also revealed that she had endured years of fertility struggles before this pregnancy, making the news particularly emotional. The announcement resonated with viewers and colleagues alike, adding a new dimension to her public persona as she prepares for motherhood while maintaining one of Australia’s most demanding television schedules.

Family and Upbringing

Abo speaks frequently about the sacrifices her parents made and the “no excuses” ethos they instilled. She and her sisters helped their parents learn English during dinner conversations, often giggling at pronunciation mishaps amid a mix of Arabic, French, and emerging English. Traditional Syrian meals like warak enab (stuffed grape leaves) and kebbe were staples of family life. She has described grappling with identity as a child, striving to fit in while her parents’ perseverance shaped her into a driven individual.

Hobbies and Interests

Abo is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new places. Growing up, her family took road trips across Victoria—to Lakes Entrance, the Grampians, Phillip Island, and Bendigo—and to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, fostering a lifelong sense of curiosity and adventure.

Controversies

Mark Latham’s Racist Tweet

The most significant controversy of Abo’s career came after she moderated the May 2022 federal election leaders’ debate. Mark Latham, then-leader of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, posted a tweet criticizing her performance that used her surname as a racial slur: “never trust an Abo with something as important as that.” The word “Abo” is a deeply offensive term for Aboriginal Australians. The Nine Network immediately condemned the tweet, reported it to authorities, and praised Abo’s professionalism. Latham defended his remarks, claiming the “outrage industry” had mischaracterized his intent. The incident highlighted the unique challenges faced by journalists of color in Australian public life.

Awards & Achievements

• Mediaweek Next of the Best Gold Award (May 2023) — Outstanding under-40 talent in Australian media
• CNN Fellowship (2014) — Completed at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia
• Leaders’ Debate Moderator (May 2022) — Second debate between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese
• Carols by Candlelight Co-Host (December 2023) — With David Campbell
• Major International Coverage: 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2015 Paris Climate Conference, 2016 US Presidential Election, Afghanistan conflict, 2017–2018 refugee crisis

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“There’s no excuse.”
— The family motto instilled by her parents, reflecting their “no excuses” ethos that shaped her driven personality.

“I find that I am still learning something new everyday.”
— On her continued growth as a journalist and broadcaster.

Favorites

Earnings

Sarah Abo’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $3 million as of 2026. Her income sources include:

• Today show salary: Approximately $800,000 annually as co-host
• 60 Minutes reporting: Additional compensation for investigative segments
• Carols by Candlelight hosting: Seasonal broadcasting fees
• Speaking engagements: Corporate events and media appearances
• Potential endorsements: Limited, given Nine Network talent policies

Her salary, while substantial, is significantly lower than co-host Karl Stefanovic’s reported $3 million—a disparity that has been noted in media coverage but has not affected their on-air chemistry.

Interesting Facts

• 60 Minutes Ritual: As a child, she watched 60 Minutes every Sunday with her family—never imagining she would one day report for the program.
• Archive Room Beginnings: Her first job in television was archiving historical footage in Network Ten’s news library.
• Trilingual: She speaks English, Arabic, and French fluently, skills she has leveraged in international reporting.
• PhD Parents: Both her mother and father hold PhDs and restarted their careers in Australia after emigrating from Syria.
• Fertility Struggles: She revealed on live television in March 2026 that she had endured years of fertility struggles before her pregnancy.
• CNN Fellowship: She completed a prestigious fellowship at CNN headquarters in Atlanta in 2014.
• Racist Attack Survivor: She handled Mark Latham’s racist tweet with professionalism, earning widespread support from colleagues and viewers.

Did You Know Already?

• Did you know Sarah Abo was born in Damascus, Syria, and moved to Australia at age 4?
• Did you know both her parents hold PhDs and restarted their careers from scratch in Australia?
• Did you know she started her career archiving footage in Network Ten’s news library?
• Did you know she was the target of a racist tweet from Mark Latham after moderating a federal election debate?
• Did you know she revealed years of fertility struggles when announcing her pregnancy on Today in March 2026?
• Did you know she speaks three languages: English, Arabic, and French?

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @sarahabo_ (estimated)
• X/Twitter: @sarahabo (estimated)
• Nine Network Profile: Today Show Team
• Saxton Speakers: Sarah Abo Booking
• Monash University Alumni: Sarah Abo Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Sarah Abo?
Sarah Abo was born on November 8, 1986, making her 39 years old as of 2026.

Where is Sarah Abo from?
She was born in Damascus, Syria, and moved to Melbourne, Australia, with her family in 1990 at age 4.

Is Sarah Abo married?
Yes, she has been married to Cyrus Moran since December 15, 2012.

Is Sarah Abo pregnant?
Yes, she announced on Today on March 11, 2026, that she is pregnant and expecting a boy, after years of fertility struggles.

What is Sarah Abo’s salary?
Her reported salary is approximately $800,000 annually as co-host of Today, compared to Karl Stefanovic’s estimated $3 million.

What is Sarah Abo famous for?
She is best known as co-host of the Nine Network’s Today show and as a reporter for 60 Minutes. She also moderated the 2022 federal election leaders’ debate.

Where did Sarah Abo go to college?
She graduated from Monash University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), majoring in Journalism and French.

Did Sarah Abo work at SBS?
Yes, she worked at SBS from 2013 to 2019 as a reporter and presenter on World News, Dateline, Insight, and Small Business Secrets.

Conclusion

Sarah Abo’s journey from a four-year-old Syrian refugee sleeping on a Melbourne living room floor to the co-host of Australia’s most-watched breakfast program is a story of sacrifice, perseverance, and journalistic excellence. She has interviewed world leaders, moderated election debates, survived racist attacks with dignity, and now prepares for motherhood after years of fertility struggles—all while maintaining the warmth and professionalism that have made her one of Australia’s most trusted broadcasters. As she enters a new chapter with her baby on the way, Abo embodies the very best of what Australian journalism can be: diverse, determined, and deeply connected to the community she serves.

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