Omar Jimenez Biography: Emmy Award-Winning CNN Anchor & Correspondent

Omar Jimenez is a prominent Afro-Latino journalist, anchor, and correspondent for CNN. He is known for his on-the-ground reporting of major national and international stories and has been recognized with an Emmy Award for his work.

Early Life and Career

Omar Fernando Jimenez was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and was raised in Kennesaw, Georgia.

He is Afro-Latino; his mother is an African American cardiologist, and his father is a neurosurgeon from Colombia. Jimenez graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where he also played on the varsity men’s basketball team.

He began his career as a multimedia journalist at WGEM-TV in Quincy, Illinois, and later worked as a general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor at WBAL-TV in Baltimore, Maryland.

During his time at WBAL-TV, he received an individual Emmy nomination for general assignment reporting.

Career at CNN

Jimenez joined CNN in 2017, initially working for CNN Newsource in Washington, D.C., where he reported on breaking news for over 900 affiliate stations nationwide. His work for CNN has covered numerous high-profile events, including:

• The murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests.

• The first major COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.

• The sudden death of Kobe Bryant.

• The Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris.

• The 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting.

• Hurricanes in Florida and Texas in 2017.

He gained significant public attention during his live coverage of the protests following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, where he and his crew were arrested on live television by the Minnesota State Patrol.

In September 2025, Jimenez was promoted to anchor and correspondent at CNN, with his work now based in New York.

Awards and Recognitions

Jimenez’s work has been honored with prestigious accolades, underscoring his impact:

He was also nominated as an “Outstanding Emerging Journalist” in CNN’s broader 2022 Emmy submissions. In 2025, he emceed the RTDNA’s 31st Annual First Amendment Awards and is set to be honored at the 34th.

Omar Jimenez Age:

Omar Fernando Jimenez was born on November 27, 1993, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is 32 years old. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. He is of Afro-Latino ethnicity, with an African American mother and Colombian father. Jimenez holds American nationality.

Omar Jimenez Parents and Siblings:

Omar Jimenez was born to a multicultural and accomplished family. His father, Omar Jimenez Jr., is a Colombian-born neurosurgeon, while his mother, Dr. Jayne Morgan, is an African-American cardiologist.

Omar is one of three sons and has two brothers. His Afro-Latino heritage has played an important role in shaping his identity, worldview, and approach to journalism.

Upbringing & Early Life

Omar Jimenez was born on November 27, 1993, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and was raised in Kennesaw, Georgia.

His childhood was marked by a significant family change when his parents divorced while he was in sixth grade, after which he primarily lived with his mother.

He attended Kennesaw Mountain High School, where he was an active basketball player. However, a serious back injury sidelined him for eight months, presenting an early challenge that required perseverance and resilience.

Early Drive & Resilience

Despite the setback from his injury, Omar demonstrated remarkable determination. He walked onto the varsity basketball team at Northwestern University, where he pursued a degree in broadcast journalism.

His upbringing—shaped by strong parental role models and the cultural duality of his Afro-Latino heritage—helped develop his empathy, discipline, and tenacity. These qualities have clearly influenced his reporting style, contributing to his success as a journalist and correspondent for CNN.

Omar Jimenez CNN Wife:

Omar Jimenez is married to Maya Voelk, a luxury beauty marketing director. The couple tied the knot on July 6, 2024, at the Seattle Tennis Club in Seattle, Washington, in a ceremony attended by 145 guests.

They got engaged in March 2023 on the rooftop of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, after dating since February 2020.

Their relationship began through social media connections from their time at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, though they didn’t meet in person until their first date in Los Angeles.

As of 2025, Maya Kakiuchi Voelk is 27 years old, born on November 27, 1997. She has Japanese heritage, reflected in her middle name “Kakiuchi” and highlighted during their wedding celebrations.

Omar and Maya’s wedding thoughtfully honored both of their backgrounds, featuring a custom cake that paid tribute to Maya’s family roots in Washington and Omar’s in Georgia.

The couple celebrated their honeymoon in Lanai, Hawaii, and Japan, further emphasizing Maya’s cultural ties and their shared appreciation for family and heritage.

Omar Jimenez Height:

Jimenez stands at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds (84 kg), based on his college basketball profile from Northwestern University.

Omar Jimenez from CNN Career Timeline:

Jimenez has built a dynamic career in broadcast news, progressing from local reporting to national and international coverage at CNN.

Omar Jimenez Basketball Background

Before becoming an Emmy Award-winning CNN anchor and correspondent, Omar Jimenez had a notable basketball career in high school and college, demonstrating athletic talent, discipline, and resilience.

High School:

Jimenez played at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Georgia. He was a three-year letterwinner, serving as team captain and MVP in his senior year, averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds per game.

Recognized for both academics and athletics, he earned Academic All-American and Prep All-Star honors, alongside the Coaches’ Award and All-Academic First Team selection.

He also played AAU basketball for Georgia Fastbreak. A back fracture sidelined him for eight months, testing his determination but not dampening his passion for the game.

College:

Jimenez walked onto the Northwestern University Wildcats men’s basketball team (NCAA Division I, Big Ten) as a guard in 2011. Over two seasons (2011–2013), he appeared in 25 games, contributing primarily in limited minutes.

Highlights included scoring his first career basket against Georgia Tech and making a three-pointer versus Mississippi Valley State. While his statistical impact was modest, his experience as a walk-on reflected his tenacity and work ethic.

Additional Context:

Omar continues to enjoy basketball recreationally and shares his love for the sport on social media (X: @OmarJimenez).

His family also has athletic roots—his grandmother played tennis and basketball at Spelman College, and his grandfather played basketball at Morehouse College.

Jimenez’s basketball journey underscores qualities that have carried into his journalism career: discipline, resilience, and determination, which became especially evident during high-pressure reporting, such as covering the George Floyd protests live in Minneapolis.

Omar Jimenez Net Worth and Omar Jimenez Salary CNN:

Jimenez’s estimated net worth is around $900,000 to $1 million, primarily from his journalism career. His exact salary at CNN is not publicly disclosed, but CNN national correspondents typically earn between $100,000 and $500,000 annually, depending on experience and role.

Is Omar Jimenez Married?

Yes, Omar Jimenez is married. He tied the knot with Maya Voelk on July 6, 2024, in a picturesque ceremony at the Seattle Tennis Club in Washington.

The wedding blended coastal elegance with personal touches, including a floral arch, custom attire, and a heartfelt rooftop proposal in Brooklyn the year prior.

Maya Voelk is a luxury beauty marketing director, and their relationship has been publicly celebrated for its warmth and authenticity.

Jimenez even admitted to shedding tears as Maya walked down the aisle to “Canon in D”—a moment he described as overwhelming and deeply meaningful.

How Old Is Omar Jimenez?

Omar Jimenez is 31 years old. He was born on November 27, 1993, in Worcester, Massachusetts

Where Is Omar Jimenez?

Omar Jimenez is currently based in New York City, where he serves as an Emmy-winning CNN anchor and correspondent.

He was previously stationed in Chicago from 2019 to 2023, covering major national stories including the George Floyd protests and COVID-19’s early impact.

His move to New York reflects his expanded role at CNN, including anchoring duties and hosting the investigative podcast Tortured Justice.

Summary table:

Omar Jimenez is active on social media:

• • Instagram: @omarcnn – shares career updates and personal moments.

  • X (formerly Twitter): @omarjimenez – posts insights and news updates.