Rob Cardwell Bio, Age, Wife, Career, Net Worth | WTVR-TV CBS 6

Rob Cardwell Biography: WTVR CBS 6 News Anchor & Veteran

Rob Cardwell is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning American journalist and news anchor best known for his long career at WTVR-TV CBS 6 in Richmond, Virginia, where he co-anchors CBS 6 This Morning alongside Reba Hollingsworth, Kristen Luehrs, and meteorologist Tom Patton.

With over 25 years at the station, Cardwell has become a trusted and familiar voice in Central Virginia, celebrated for his storytelling, community involvement, and signature sense of humor.

Early Life & Education

Cardwell was born and raised on Florida’s Gulf Coast. He graduated from Plant City High School in Tampa before joining the United States Air Force.

Initially pursuing dentistry, he later discovered his passion for broadcasting. In 1990, he cross-trained into media and graduated with honors from the Defense Information School in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Military Service

During his Air Force career, Cardwell was stationed at Osan, South Korea, where he hosted the morning radio show Good Morning, Osan! and produced news for the Armed Forces Korea Network.

In 1991, he transferred to Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, further honing his broadcasting skills. His military service gave him global experience and a foundation for a career in journalism.

Journalism Career

WJHG-TV, Panama City, Florida (1993–2000)

Cardwell transitioned to civilian broadcasting at WJHG-TV, where he worked as a reporter and anchor for seven years. He covered hurricanes, politics, crime, and major regional events, anchoring both morning and evening newscasts.

Early in his career, he briefly went by the on-air name “Bobby Ray Cardwell.” He also freelanced for national outlets including CNN, CBS Radio, A Current Affair, and Live with Geraldo Rivera, while serving as a newsman for local radio.

WTVR-TV CBS 6, Richmond, Virginia (2000–Present)

In July 2000, Cardwell joined CBS 6, beginning a career that reached its 25-year milestone in 2025. At the station, he co-anchors CBS 6 This Morning and is recognized for balancing serious journalism with a personable, approachable style.
In 2016, he launched the award-winning segment “Building Better Minds,” a franchise celebrating outstanding students, teachers, and schools in Central Virginia.

Beyond news coverage, he is known for his humor and lighthearted moments on-air, often sharing “dad jokes” with his morning team.

Awards & Recognition

• 7x Emmy Award Winner

• Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards recipient

• Associated Press honors (individual and station-level)

• Named Virginia Sportscaster of the Year three times

• Voted Favorite Local Sportscaster by Richmond Magazine readers four times

Personal Life

Cardwell is deeply rooted in the Richmond community. He is a member of Ironbridge Baptist Church in Chester, Virginia, and frequently supports local charities, events, and fundraisers.

In his free time, he enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, and spending time with his family. A devoted sports fan, he follows the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and often shares nostalgic sports and pop culture references with viewers on social media.

Current Role

• Position: News Anchor & Reporter

• Station: WTVR-TV CBS 6, Richmond, Virginia

• Program: CBS 6 This Morning

• Team: Reba Hollingsworth (co-anchor), Kristen Luehrs (traffic), Tom Patton (meteorology)

Rob Cardwell Age:

Rob Cardwell was born on September 21, 1965, which makes him 60 years old as of 2025. His zodiac sign is Virgo. He is of White ethnicity and holds American nationality.

Rob Cardwell Parents and Siblings:

Rob Cardwell was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, along the Gulf Coast, where he grew up before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force after high school.

He graduated from Plant City High School in Florida and later attended the Armed Forces Defense Information School in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1990, where he was a distinguished graduate.

Details about his parents are limited to them being described as devoted, with no names or further information publicly available. Information about any siblings is not publicly disclosed in credible sources.

Rob Cardwell Wife:

Rob Cardwell is married to Debra Cardwell, whom he met while working in Panama City Beach, Florida, early in his broadcasting career after leaving the military.

The two married in the late 1990s and, in 2000, relocated to Richmond, Virginia, when Rob joined WTVR-TV CBS 6. Rob has often referred to Virginia as his “adopted home,” where he and Debra have built their family life together.

Family Life

Rob and Debra have one son, Jacob, and live in the Chester area near Richmond. Family is central to Rob’s life, and he often shares lighthearted anecdotes about their home life.

For example, he has posted about Debra pranking him with spooky holiday decorations that startled him, joking about his “#highpitchscream.”

He’s also shared playful stories of her calling him a “wookie” when he skips shaving or giving him teasing looks when he acts silly at social gatherings.

Beyond humor, Rob emphasizes that time with Debra and Jacob—whether camping, hiking, fishing, or simply enjoying holidays together—is one of his greatest joys.

The family is active in their community and attends Ironbridge Baptist Church in Chester, Virginia, while also supporting local fundraisers and events.

Debra Cardwell’s Public Presence

Unlike her husband, Debra is not a public figure and keeps a low profile. Rob affectionately refers to her as his “beautiful bride” in his professional bio, highlighting her importance in his life.

Occasionally, she appears in his social media posts or engages with them—for instance, commenting on a picture of herself at a dinner table.

Despite her quiet presence outside the spotlight, Debra is an integral part of Rob’s personal story, providing support and balance alongside his demanding career.

Cardwell also makes a point to distinguish Debra from his on-air “work wife,” co-anchor Reba Hollingsworth, when celebrating their strong professional partnership.

Rob Cardwell Height, Weight:

Rob Cardwell stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73-1.75 meters) tall. His weight is estimated at around 81 kg (approximately 178 pounds), though this is not consistently reported across sources.

Rob Cardwell CBS 6 Career Timeline:

Mid-1980s (Post-High School): Enlisted in the United States Air Force

This initial step was driven by a desire to pursue dentistry. However, after a couple of years, the individual shifted paths within the Air Force, setting the stage for a dramatic career change. This period represents the foundational, though initially misdirected, starting point of a distinguished career.

1990: Cross-Trained into Media and Stationed in South Korea

This year marks the crucial pivot into the field of media and broadcasting.

• Training: The individual cross-trained and graduated as a distinguished student from the Armed Forces Defense Information School in Indianapolis, Indiana. This distinction signals early aptitude and dedication to the new field.

• Broadcasting Experience: Stationed in Osan, South Korea, the individual gained valuable on-air experience by working as a DJ for the morning radio show “Good Morning, Osan!” and producing news reports for Armed Forces Korea Network television. This provided an early taste of live broadcasting, news production, and working in a fast-paced media environment.

1991: Stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida

The individual moved to Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida. While specific duties are not listed, this placement geographically linked the individual to the region where their civilian career would later begin.

1993–2000: Civilian News Career Takes Off in Panama City, Florida

After leaving the Air Force, the individual transitioned immediately into civilian news, spending seven years at WJHG TV-7 in Panama City, Florida. This period was intense and provided broad experience.

• Anchor/Reporter Role: The individual served as both an anchor (for morning and evening newscasts) and a reporter, gaining expertise on both sides of the news production process.

• Key Coverage: Reporting covered a wide spectrum, including hurricanes, local and state politics, and crime, which are often high-impact stories that build a reporter’s reputation.

• Recognition: Their work earned both individual and station Associated Press recognition, validating the quality of their journalism.

• Freelance Work: The individual diversified their experience by freelancing for major national outlets, including CNN, “Current Affair,” CBS radio, “Live with Geraldo Rivera,” and also served as a newsman for a local talk radio station. This exposure to various national platforms demonstrated versatility and a growing professional network.

July 2000–Present: Long-Term Success at WTVR-TV CBS 6 in Richmond, Virginia

This current and long-standing phase of the career has been marked by stability, professional accolades, and a commitment to community.

• Initial Role and Progression: The individual joined WTVR-TV CBS 6 in Richmond, Virginia, starting as a reporter and anchor.

• Morning News Anchor (2012): In January 2012, they became the dedicated morning news anchor for “CBS 6 This Morning,” a role they have held for over a decade.

• Professional Accolades: This work has resulted in them becoming a 7-time Emmy-winning morning news anchor, a significant achievement that speaks to their consistent excellence and popularity in the market.

• Community Initiative (2016): The launch of the “Building Better Minds” franchise in 2016 demonstrates a dedication beyond the daily news cycle, specifically highlighting students and teachers and investing in the community’s educational well-being.

Cardwell’s notable colleagues at WTVR CBS 6 include:

• Reba Hollingsworth – Co-anchor on CBS 6 This Morning

• Kristen Luehrs – Traffic reporter

• Tom Patton – Meteorologist

• Julie Bragg and Bill Fitzgerald – Evening anchors

• Greg McQuade – Feature reporter

• Melissa Hipolit – Investigative journalist

Rob Cardwell Net Worth and Salary:

Rob Cardwell’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, accumulated through his career as an anchor and reporter. His annual salary is estimated to range from $45,000 to $110,500, though some sources suggest it could be between $89,000 and $187,000; these are approximations and not officially confirmed.

Is Rob Cardwell Married?

Yes, Rob Cardwell is married to Debra, whom he met in Panama City Beach, Florida. The couple has a son, Jacob, and resides in the Richmond area, where Cardwell considers Virginia his adopted home and CBS 6 his extended family.

How Old Is Rob Cardwell?

Where Is Rob Cardwell?

Rob Cardwell is currently working as a morning news anchor at WTVR-TV CBS 6 in Richmond, Virginia, where he co-hosts CBS 6 This Morning alongside Reba Hollingsworth, Kristen Luehers, and meteorologist Tom Patton.

He remains active in the Richmond community, participating in local fundraisers and events, and is a member of Ironbridge Baptist Church in Chester, VA.

Summary Table

Sources:

• WTVR Official Bio: https://www.wtvr.com/author/rob-cardwell

• 25 Years Celebration Article: https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/rob-cardwell-25-years-july-24-2025

• Muck Rack Profile: https://muckrack.com/rob-cardwell

• Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/RobCardwellCBS6/

• Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/robcardwellcbs6/?hl=en

• X (Twitter) Profile: https://x.com/robcardwellcbs6

• Family Tree Article: https://www.wtvr.com/2014/02/17/cardwell-family-tree

• Birthday Video (2022): https://www.facebook.com/CBS6News/videos/happy-birthday-to-the-one-and-only-rob-cardwell/829913754988700/

• Birthday Post (2025): https://www.facebook.com/CBS6News/posts/-cbs-6-friends-we-need-your-help-to-wish-cbs-6-legendary-anchor-rob-cardwell-wtv/1345589500486924/

• 25 Years YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSwwzLSPEtI

• 25 Years Facebook Video: https://www.facebook.com/CBS6News/videos/celebrating-25-years-of-rob-cardwell-at-cbs-6/30911739401773015/