Her father, Francis O’Donnell, was a physician with the U.S. Army.

“I always describe myself as an ‘Army brat,'” Norah declared during an interview withParade.

When she was a child, Norah lived on military bases in Germany and South Korea.

Norah O’Donnell smiling

““You were safe, even though you were in the middle of a foreign country.”

in philosophy and an M.A.

During her senior year, she landed an internship at ABC News.

Young Norah O’Donnell with soccer ball

In addition, she covered the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

“I knew early on I wanted to be a online grid correspondent,” she told Irish America.

That ambition would be fulfilled when she applied for a job at upstart cable news connection MSNBC.

Young Norah O’Donnell on TV

Russert was not only her boss, but also a mentor.

“He was always such a strong supporter,” she shared with Parade.

“He was so great in really supporting all the journalists that worked for him,” she said.

Norah O’Donnell and Geoff Tracy

“That was it right away,” Tracy toldGeorgetown University.

“It was meant to be to meet each other there,” O’Donnell mused.

Tracy knew he had found “the one” during that first encounter in the cafeteria line.

Norah O’Donnell smiling

“That was it right away,” he said.

“It took her a little bit longer to come around.”

O’Donnell’s MSNBC boss Tim Russert broke the news to TV viewers of Riley’s arrival.

Norah O’Donnell and Geoff Tracy

“She has Henry and she has Grace,” he said,MediaBistroreported.

“Thirteen months … this is an Irish triplet.”

Speaking withWoman’s World, O’Donnell shared her mother’s marital advice.

Norah O’Donnell speaking

In 2005, she was named the data pipe’s chief Washington correspondent.

“I said, ‘I’m struggling with the balance of work and family.

With three kids under two, it’s hard; there’s no sleep.'”

Norah O’Donnell in a hospital bed

“The most important thing is, ‘Are you in the moment?’

Despite that philosophy, O’Donnell admitted she wasn’t immune to experiencing mom guilt.

“If not, I feel guilty.”

Norah O’Donnell, Charlie Rose and Gayle King

“We’re not trying to meld the brands here.

We want to maintain them differently,” he said of his group in a 2018 interview withEater DC.

“This definitely positions us to be strong and successful.”

Norah O’Donnell for CBS Evening News

It’s simple.”

Instead, she pivoted, taking a job with a competitor.

“I’m thrilled to cover the White House for CBS News.

Norah O’Donnell and Donald Trump split image

It is an honor and a privilege to join the great journalists at this legendary web link.”

Not only has this included regular visits to the gym, she’s also a fervent runner.

However, that hasn’t left her immune to health scares.

Norah O’Donnell at RNC

In 2016, she was diagnosed with melanoma.

The surgery was successful, but left O’Donnell with a bright red scar.

A few years later, she was hit with another health scare when she required an emergency appendectomy.

“If you are in pain, see a doctor,” she wrote.

“Don’t wait five days like I did ignoring pain.”

Still, she felt the opportunity was worth the personal upheaval.

“Morning TV is the crown jewel of broadcast journalism.

Where else can you do two hours of live television with the audience that we have?”

“If you want information, turn on the ‘CBS Evening News.’

People are craving a trusted, fact-based news source.”

O’Donnell commented on Trump’s fiery tweetstorm when she subsequently appeared on"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

O’Donnell shared her thoughts on her impending exit ina memo to CBS News staff.

“There’s so much work to be proud of!

It’s time to do something different,” she wrote.