Who is Norah O’Donnell husband Geoff Tracy? -A Power Couple of Journalism and Cuisine

Geoff Tracy is not just the husband of Norah O’Donnell, the anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News. He is also a successful chef, author, and businessman, who runs a group of restaurants in Washington, DC, and Maryland. He has a passion for food, hospitality, and service, which he discovered at Georgetown University, where he met his future wife. He also co-wrote a cookbook with O’Donnell, featuring recipes for busy families. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Geoff Tracy, and how he balances his work and family with his famous spouse.

Geoff Tracy’s biography is full of interesting facts and stories that reveal his personality, values, and achievements. From his humble beginnings to his education at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, to his entrepreneurial ventures in the restaurant industry, Geoff Tracy has always pursued his dreams with determination and excellence. He has also been a supportive partner to Norah O’Donnell, who has risen to the top of her profession as a journalist and broadcaster. Together, they have faced many challenges and opportunities, such as moving across the country, raising three children, and writing a cookbook. They have also shared many joys and memories, such as meeting at Georgetown, marrying at Dahlgren Chapel, and attending the Kennedy Center Honors.

Geoff Tracy and his wife Norah O’Donnell

Inside Geoff Tracy’s Relationship with Norah O’Donnell

Geoff Tracy and Norah O’Donnell are a married couple who have been together for more than 30 years. They met in 1991 in the cafeteria line at New South during their first week at Georgetown University. The spark that ignited their romance was a sweatshirt.

“We used the sweatshirt to make the opening conversation. You have to have some sort of in, otherwise, you’re just a random person,” Tracy recalled in an interview with Georgetown. O’Donnell, who grew up in Texas, caught his eye with her distinctive style. “She had a whole different look about her than the people I had gone to boarding school with in New England. I was like, ‘We have to go talk to them,’” Geoff said.

The rest, as they say, is history. The couple fell in love and spent many hours studying on the top floor of Lauinger Library and getting coffee at Wisemiller’s. They tied the knot in 2001 at Dahlgren Chapel, which is also on the Georgetown campus. Their family grew over the years with the addition of three children: twins Grace and Henry in 2007, and Riley in 2008.

A Power Couple Who Balance Work, Family, and Fun

Norah O’Donnell and Geoff Tracy are a power couple in Washington, D.C., but they don’t let their fame and success get to their heads. They are humble, down-to-earth, and deeply in love with each other. If O’Donnell’s words are anything to go by, they enjoy spending quality time with their three kids, watching TV, drinking wine, and having fun together.

“We spend 98 percent of our time here—watching TV, feeding the kids, drinking wine. We have a lot of fun together.”

Geoff Tracy is a successful restaurateur who owns several eateries in the D.C. area. He is also a devoted father who shares the parenting duties with his wife. He confessed to frequent pinch-me sessions, as he feels grateful for his amazing life.

“Have I gamed the system? Are you supposed to be having this much fun? And making money doing it? I’ve got great, healthy kids and a phenomenal wife who’s exciting to me. Because of her, I get to hang out with the President of the United States, or the Vice President. And doing charitable events. And getting recognized in grocery stores. As a kid, I dreamed about being shortstop for the Red Sox, but you know? This is up there.”

Norah O’Donnell is the anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News, a prestigious and demanding position that requires her to be on top of the latest news and events. She is also a fitness enthusiast who tries to squeeze in some runs and workouts whenever she can. She admits that balancing her work and family life is not easy, but she does her best to end the day with some books and cuddles with her kids.

“I really enjoy making sure the kids get a healthy dinner, a good bath and several books… I really like to try and end the day with some quality time with my kids. If not, I feel guilty.”

She also has gone on to say:

“As a working mom, I struggle to find time to work out and go for runs. I usually run two to three times a week and work out with a trainer once a week. I try to go for a longer run on Sundays.”

Geoff Tracy and Norah’s three children

Also, O’Donnell credits her mother for giving her the best marriage advice.

“The one nugget that really stands out is my mom saying ‘marry your best friend,’” O’Donnell says. “That turned out to be good advice! Having a partner who makes you laugh and who is supportive means everything!”

The couple have been supportive of each other’s careers and have balanced their work and family life. They have also faced some challenges, such as Norah’s skin cancer diagnosis in 2017 and Geoff’s lawsuits. They have also been involved in philanthropic and social causes, such as supporting the Children’s National Hospital.

They have been an inspiration for many people who aspire to achieve both professional and personal success.

Wiki/ Facts of Geoff Tracy

FactDescription
Full nameGeoffrey Tracey
NicknameGeoff Tracy
Date of birthJanuary 23, 1973
Place of birthBoston, Massachusetts, USA
ResidenceWashington D.C.
Zodiac signAquarius
NationalityAmerican
GenderMale
SexualityStraight
EthnicityWhite
ReligionChristianity
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight (about)143 lb (65 kg)
Hair ColorBrown
Eye colorBlue
EducationChoate Rosemary Hall, Hall High School, Georgetown University, Culinary Institute of America
ProfessionChef, author, businessman
Net worthEstimated at $8 million
SpouseNorah O’Donnell
ChildrenThree (Henry, Grace, Riley)
SiblingsOne brother (Chris Tracy)
ParentsDan Tracy
RestaurantsChef Geoff’s Downtown, Chef Geoff’s on New Mexico Avenue, Lia’s in Chevy Chase, Chef Geoff’s Tysons Corner, and Chef Geoff’s at Dulles Airport.
BookBaby Love – Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler
AwardsBest Neighbor Award from the National Restaurant Association
HobbiesGolf, skiing, reading
Favorite food as a childCheddar Cheese
Current Favorite FoodBacon
Crinkle-cut French fries baked in the oven served with cold Heinz ketchup.Crinkle-cut French fries baked in the oven served with cold Heinz ketchup.
Favorite thing to cook or bake with someone elseChef Geoff’s Downtown, Chef Geoff’s on New Mexico Avenue, Lia’s in Chevy Chase, Chef Geoff’s Tysons Corner, and Chef Geoff’s at Dulles Airport.
Favorite TV showN/A
Favorite bookN/A
Favorite musicN/A
Favorite bandN/A
Favorite sportN/A
Favorite teamN/A
Favorite animalN/A
Favorite colorN/A
Favorite destinationN/A
MottoN/A

Early Life of Groff Tracy

Geoff Tracy was born on January 23, 1974, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was a Boy Scout and attended Choate Rosemary Hall, a prestigious boarding school, followed by Hall High School, from which he graduated in 1991. He then enrolled at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he majored in theology and graduated in 1995. During his college years, he discovered his passion for cooking and decided to pursue a career as a chef. He applied to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and graduated first in his class in 1998.

Career of Geoff Tracy 

Geoff Tracy started his career as a chef in 2000 when he opened his first restaurant, Chef Geoff’s, which became a success. Tracy had some experience in the food industry before he started his own restaurant. He had been a part of Vital Vittles, a student-run store that sold snacks, ice cream, and other essentials for college students. He had risen from a stock boy to the general manager of the student organization that operated the store and other businesses, managing a team of 85 people and a revenue of $2 million to $3 million a year. He had also worked as a busboy at a bistro called Max on Main in Hartford when he was in high school.

Geoff Tracy and Norah O’Donnell

Geoff expanded his business by opening more restaurants, such as Chef Geoff’s Downtown on Pennsylvania Avenue and Chef Geoff’s on New Mexico Avenue in Washington, D.C., Lia’s in Chevy Chase, Chef Geoff’s Tysons Corner and Chef Geoff’s at Dulles Airport. His restaurants have received many accolades from customers and critics alike. For instance, Chef Geoff’s Downtown restaurant was voted Diner’s Choice by OpenTable in 2016. In 2009 and 2011, Lia’s restaurant was selected as “Best Restaurant in Chevy Chase” by Bethesda Magazine in its annual Reader’s Choice Awards. In 2012, the readers of Washingtonian Magazine selected Geoff as “Best Local Chef”. He also co-authored a best-selling book, Baby Love, with his wife in 2010, which offers healthy and delicious recipes for babies and toddlers. He has won several awards, such as the Best Neighbor Award in 2006, the Chef of the Year Award in 2009, and the RAMMY Award for Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene in 2011. He is also the vice chairman of the executive board of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. 

Geoff has a curious and adventurous palate, and he enjoys experimenting with different cuisines and ingredients. He revealed in an interview that he hated Brussels sprouts and pizza as a kid, but he learned to love them later in life. He said that he now likes Brussels sprouts especially when cooked with lardons of bacon, and that pizza would be on the menu for his final meal if he had one day to live. Geoff faced some challenges in his business, as he had to close two of his restaurants, Chef Geoff’s Rockville and Chef Geoff’s Downtown on November 2, 2015, and December 31 respectively due to renovation and competition issues. He said that he was grateful for the loyal customers and staff who supported the restaurant and that he tried to find jobs for his Rockville employees at his other restaurants. Geoff is also a member of YPO, a global leadership community, and he served in different positions, such as Network Officer, Education Chair, and Chapter Chair, from 2006 to 2019, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Geoff Tracy Lawsuits

Chef Geoff Tracy is a restaurateur and cookbook author who has been involved in several lawsuits related to his business. Some of the lawsuits are:

  • Chef Geoff’s v. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority: Chef Geoff sued the state of Virginia over its happy hour advertising restrictions, which prohibited him from communicating truthful and non-misleading information about his drink specials. He argued that the restrictions violated his First Amendment rights. The lawsuit was settled in 2019, when the state changed its law to allow happy hour advertising.
  • Chef Geoff Tracy v. 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue Associates, LLC: Chef Geoff filed a lawsuit against Quadrangle Development Corp., the owner of 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, where he operated Chef Geoff’s Downtown. He claimed that Quadrangle tried to force him out of the building in order to redevelop the property, and refused to honor his lease options that would allow him to stay until 2022. He sought an injunction to prevent Quadrangle from terminating his lease and damages for breach of contract. The case went to trial in October 2013, where Tracy testified that Chef Geoff’s Downtown was his most profitable restaurant and that closing it would be a significant burden. Quadrangle argued that it had tried to negotiate with Tracy but failed to reach an agreement, and that it had a limited window to redevelop the building due to market conditions. The judge did not issue a ruling at the end of the trial, and the parties agreed to settle the matter out of court in December 2013. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but Tracy’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit indicated that both sides were satisfied with the outcome.
  • Chef Geoff’s v. District of Columbia: Chef Geoff challenged the D.C. candle tax, which imposed a 10% sales tax on candles and other aromatherapy products. He argued that the tax was arbitrary and discriminatory, and that it harmed his business. He led a campaign to repeal the tax, which was successful in 2006.
  • In 2012, he initiated a highly publicized movement against speed cameras, arguing that they were unconstitutional and violated due process rights.

Net Worth of Geoff Tracy

Geoff Tracy has an estimated net worth of $10 million, and his primary source of income is his work as a chef, restaurateur, and author. He owns several restaurants under the name of Chef Geoff’s, and he co-authored a book called Baby Love with his wife, Norah O’Donnell, in 2010. He has also won several awards for his culinary skills and business acumen. Geoff Tracy and his wife bought a seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom Colonial in DC’s Wesley Heights, near American University, for $3.2 million in 2010. They also lived in New York City, where they own a condo in the Upper West Side.

Fun Facts about Geoff Tracy’s Birthday

  • He was born on January 23, 1974, in New York City, which makes him an Aquarius.
  • His birthstone is garnet, which is a diverse gemstone that comes in various colors but is commonly red. Garnets symbolize fascination, distinction, and love.
  • His birth flower is carnation, which is a fragrant and multi-layered flower that also comes in different colors, each with a different meaning. Carnations represent admiration, gratitude, and affection.
  • He shares his birthday with famous people such as John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, Edouard Manet, the French painter, Jeanne Moreau, the French actress, Chesley Sullenberger, the American pilot who landed a plane on the Hudson River, and Mariska Hargitay, the American actress who plays Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU.

A Quick Write on Geoff Tracy’s Wife: Norah O’Donnell

Norah O’Donnell is an American television journalist and the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News. She was born on January 23, 1974, in Washington, D.C., to Irish immigrant parents. She graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in philosophy and an MA in liberal studies. She began her career as a staff writer for Roll Call, covering Congress. She then joined NBC News, where she worked as a commentator, correspondent, and anchor for various shows, including Today, NBC Nightly News, Dateline NBC, and Hardball with Chris Matthews. She moved to CBS News in 2011, becoming the chief White House correspondent and a co-host of CBS This Morning. In 2019, she took over the CBS Evening News, becoming the third woman to solo anchor a network evening broadcast. She is also a correspondent for 60 Minutes and a host of Person to Person. She has won several Emmy Awards for her journalism.

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