Val Warner is an Emmy Award-winning American television host, journalist, and news anchor based in Chicago, Illinois. She is best known for co-hosting Windy City LIVE on ABC 7 for a decade alongside Ryan Chiaverini and for currently anchoring ABC 7 Eyewitness News in the morning. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Val relocated to Chicago in 2005 and has since become one of the city’s most recognizable media personalities. She is married to Elijah “Jobba” Maxey Jr. and is a proud mother of two children, Zoe and Maxwell Warner.
Quick Wiki/Bio about Val Warner
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Valerie Warner |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | March 11, 1974 |
| Age | 52 years old (as of April 2026) |
| Place of birth | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Current residence | Chicago, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 150 lbs (68 kg) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Elijah “Jobba” Maxey Jr. (m. 2021) |
| Children | 2 (Zoe Warner and Maxwell Warner) |
| Alma mater | University of California, San Diego (BA, Communications, 1996) |
| Profession | Television host, news anchor, journalist, actress |
| Net worth | $2 million – $3.5 million (estimated) |
Who is Val Warner?
Val Warner is an American television journalist and talk show host who has spent over two decades building her career in broadcasting. She currently anchors the 6 a.m. edition of ABC 7 Eyewitness News in Chicago and the 7 a.m. streaming show.
She rose to fame as the co-host of Windy City LIVE, a popular daytime talk and entertainment show on ABC 7 that aired from 2011 to 2021.
The show replaced Oprah Winfrey’s long-running 9 a.m. time slot and was filmed at the same studios that once hosted AM Chicago. Val and her co-host Ryan Chiaverini became household names across the Chicagoland region during the show’s ten-year run.
She now co-hosts Windy City Weekend, the Friday spin-off of Windy City LIVE, where she covers everything from weekend events to trending topics in her signature “Host Chat” segment.
Val is also an accomplished interviewer who has sat down with high-profile figures including Michelle Obama, Robin Roberts, Barbara Walters, Chance the Rapper, Common, Spike Lee, and David Muir.
How Old Is Val Warner? Age and Birthday
Val Warner is 52 years old as of April 2026. She was born on March 11, 1974, in Los Angeles, California. Her zodiac sign is Pisces.
ABC 7 Chicago celebrated her 50th birthday in March 2024 with a surprise Windy City Weekend show full of friends, family, and fun.
In March 2026, fans and colleagues wished her a happy 52nd birthday across social media platforms.
Val grew up in the South Central neighborhood of Los Angeles. She experienced a bi-coastal upbringing, splitting time between her parents on the West Coast and spending holidays with relatives in Chicago. That dual connection to both cities shaped her personality and career path.
Val Warner’s Height, Weight, and Body Measurements
Val Warner stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall. Her weight is estimated at around 150 pounds (68 kg), though Val has been open about her weight journey on social media.
In a candid Facebook post, Val shared personal details about her body, writing: “I am 51 years old… I am 210ish pounds right now. My BMI is 35 (clinically obese). I am a size 12-14.”
She has been vocal about body positivity and her fitness goals, documenting her progress through her partnership with VBody Power Fitness.
Val has dark brown eyes and black hair. She is known for her polished on-air appearance and her fashion-forward style, which has earned praise from fans and fellow media professionals across Chicago.
What Is Val Warner’s Net Worth and Salary?
As of 2026, Val Warner’s net worth is estimated at between $2 million and $3.5 million. She has built this fortune through her long-running television career spanning nearly three decades in broadcasting.
Annual Salary
Val earns an estimated annual salary from her work at ABC 7 Chicago. Different sources place her earnings between $100,000 and $300,000 per year. Her main income comes from anchoring ABC 7 Eyewitness News in the morning and co-hosting Windy City Weekend.
Income Sources
Val Warner’s income streams include:
- Television anchoring and hosting at ABC 7 Chicago (primary income source)
- Speaking engagements — she is represented by SMG Speakers and Ragan Communications for public events
- Emcee and hosting work for charity galas, fundraisers, and corporate events across the Chicagoland area
- Acting — she appeared in Spike Lee’s 2015 film Chi-Raq and the ABC show General Hospital
- Brand partnerships and endorsements through her social media presence
Val Warner’s Education
Val attended St. Bernard Catholic High School in Los Angeles, where a visit from veteran KCAL 9 journalist Pat Harvey first inspired her to pursue a career in journalism.
She once told Bronzeville Life: “I ran home and told my mother, I am going to be a reporter one day.”
She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of California, San Diego in 1996.
During her college years, she spent three of her four years interning, gaining hands-on experience that helped shape her broadcasting career.
Val Warner’s Career
Early Career Beginnings
Val Warner’s broadcasting career began nearly 30 years ago in Roswell, New Mexico. She worked as a reporter, photographer, and editor — a “one-woman band” at a small-market television station. That experience gave her the foundation she needed to move into larger markets.
She then moved to WEYI TV in Flint, Michigan, where she became the evening news anchor. While working in Flint, Val attended a regional conference of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) held in Chicago.
At the event, she met veteran journalist and WGN anchorwoman Allison Payne, who saw her demo tape and believed she belonged in the Chicago market.
WGN-TV Chicago (2005)
In 2005, Val moved to Chicago and joined WGN-TV as a traffic reporter and co-anchor for the morning news program.
Her work covering the city from WGN’s helicopter became her introduction to millions of Chicago viewers. The role helped her establish name recognition and credibility across the Chicagoland area.
Windy City LIVE (2011–2021)
Val’s career took a major turn in 2011 when she was selected as co-host of Windy City LIVE alongside Ryan Chiaverini.
The show debuted on ABC 7, filling the 9 a.m. slot previously held by Oprah Winfrey’s show. Val had initially no interest in auditioning but was encouraged to try out.
The show ran for a full decade and became a beloved part of Chicago’s daytime television lineup. Val’s warmth, humor, and connection to the community made her a fan favourite.
She once described her chemistry with Ryan by saying, “We pinch ourselves. Ryan and I are in such a groove… He is Uncle Ry Ry and supports my kids and me.”
ABC 7 Eyewitness News and Windy City Weekend (2021–Present)
After Windy City LIVE ended its run in 2021, Val transitioned into her current role as anchor of ABC 7 Eyewitness News at 6 a.m. and the 7 a.m. streaming show. She also co-hosts Windy City Weekend, the Friday spin-off show.
Awards and Recognition
Val’s contributions to ABC 7 have earned the station three Chicago Emmy Awards for special programming she spearheaded on topics such as bullying, breast cancer awareness, and stopping violence in Chicago.
She personally won a Chicago Emmy for her role in ABC 7’s New Year’s special, Countdown Chicago. In the 2024–2025 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards cycle, she received another nomination and win alongside the ABC 7 morning team.
She also secured two exclusive interviews that no other journalist could land: the first interview with Spike Lee before the release of his controversial film Chi-Raq and the only interview with Karla Lee, the mother of slain 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee.
Is Val Warner Married? Husband, Dating History, and Relationship Status
Marriage to Elijah “Jobba” Maxey Jr.
Val Warner is married to Elijah “Jobba” Maxey Jr. The couple tied the knot on July 31, 2021, in a destination wedding at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun in Mexico. Val shared the first official wedding photos on her social media with the caption: “Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Maxey.”
Jobba is an entrepreneur and community leader involved with organisations like 100 Black Men of Chicago and Strong Futures.
He has stepped into the role of stepfather to Val’s two children, and she has spoken about how he has supported and loved them as his own.
In a Father’s Day tribute, Val wrote: “Happy Father’s Day to my husband who stepped into my [children’s lives]… to watch how Jobba has ‘stepped up’ to be an awesome step dad to my kids has been amazing.”
As of June 2025, Val celebrated their anniversary by posting: “Happy Anniversary to my husband… married for 4 [years].” The couple appears to enjoy a strong and supportive relationship.
Previous Engagement to Jeff Cartwright
Before meeting Jobba, Val was engaged to Illinois State Police Special Agent Jeff Cartwright. The two held an engagement party in February 2013 with about 150 guests at Hotel 71 in Chicago.
They had planned a September 2014 wedding. The relationship did not work out, and they separated before walking down the aisle.
Previous Marriage
According to an interview with Bronzeville Life, Val was married earlier in her life during her time working in Flint, Michigan. She was a young mother and news anchor dealing with a “rocky marriage.”
She eventually made the decision to separate from her first husband and moved to Chicago as a single mother of two.
Val Warner’s Children
Val Warner has two children: Zoe Warner and Maxwell “Max” Warner. Both children are from her first marriage.
Zoe Warner
Zoe is Val’s eldest child, born around 2001–2002. She is approximately 24 years old as of 2026. Zoe followed in her mother’s footsteps and pursued a career in broadcasting. She attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., and graduated with her degree.
In 2026, Val proudly announced that Zoe was promoted as an anchor at WINK News in Fort Myers, Florida. Val shared on Facebook: “Breaking ‘WARNER’ News — Y’all please help me CONGRATULATE my hardworking, talented, beautiful daughter.”
Maxwell “Max” Warner
Max is Val’s son, born around 2006–2007. He is approximately 19 years old as of 2026. Max attended Whitney Young High School in Chicago, where he was a standout track athlete.
ABC 7 featured a special segment on Max meeting his great-great-uncle Greg, an Olympic connection in the family, in a story called “Track Meet.”
Val often shares updates about her children on her social media and on air. She once told Bronzeville Life: “That is my number one job. I have to make sure I raise two responsible human beings.”
Val Warner’s Social Media Presence
As of April 2026, Val Warner has approximately 186,000 followers on Instagram (@valwarnertv), where she shares a mix of personal updates, family moments, fitness progress, and behind-the-scenes content from her work at ABC 7.
Her bio reads: “MOM ❤️ … WIFE … TALK SHOW HOST … NEWSLADY ACTRESS … EMCEE … ENTREPRENEUR.” She also has over followers on her Facebook page (@JustMeBeingVal), where she regularly engages with fans.
Val Warner’s Recent News (2026)
In early 2026, Val underwent root meniscus knee surgery. She shared the news on social media, writing: “Not exactly how I planned to start my 2026… but I went into this day [confident].” She spent six weeks recovering and documenting her rehab journey publicly.
On April 3, 2026, she returned to Windy City Weekend to a warm reception from fans and colleagues. ABC 7 announced: “She’s back! Val Warner is back on Windy City Weekend after six weeks off due to knee surgery.”
Fast Facts About Val Warner
- Val was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles but has called Chicago home since 2005.
- She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from UC San Diego in 1996 and interned three out of her four college years.
- Val’s first broadcasting job was in Roswell, New Mexico, where she worked as a reporter, photographer, and editor all at once.
- A chance meeting with veteran journalist Allison Payne at an NABJ conference led to her WGN-TV job in Chicago.
- She co-hosted Windy City LIVE for a full decade (2011–2021), replacing Oprah Winfrey’s time slot on ABC 7.
- Val has won multiple Chicago Emmy Awards for special programming on bullying, breast cancer, and violence prevention.
- Her daughter Zoe graduated from Howard University and is now a news anchor at WINK News in Florida.
- Val married Elijah “Jobba” Maxey Jr. on July 31, 2021, in a destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico.
- She volunteers with The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Chicago Bulls Charities, and the South Suburban Family Shelter.
- In early 2026, Val returned to air after recovering from root meniscus knee surgery, documenting her rehab journey on Instagram and Facebook.
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Wrapping Up
Val Warner has built one of the most recognisable careers in Chicago broadcasting over the past two decades.
From her humble beginnings in Roswell, New Mexico, to becoming an Emmy Award-winning anchor and host at ABC 7 Chicago, she has earned the trust and admiration of Chicagoland viewers.
Off screen, she is a devoted mother to Zoe and Max, a loving wife to Jobba Maxey, and an active community volunteer.
As of April 2026, Val continues to anchor the morning news and co-host Windy City Weekend, showing no signs of slowing down.
References
- ABC 7 Chicago. “Val Warner – ABC7 Chicago News Team”.
- Bronzeville Life. “Val Warner: Style, Gratitude and Grace”.
- ABC 7 Chicago. “‘Windy City Weekend’ celebrates Val Warner’s 50th birthday”.
- ABC 7 Chicago. “Track Meet: Val Warner’s son and track star Max meets Olympic gold”.
- ABC 7 Chicago. “Val Warner returns to Windy City Weekend after knee surgery”.
- SMG Speakers. “Val Warner – SMG Speakers Bureau”.
- IMDb. “Val Warner”.
- Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards. “2024-2025 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Recipient List”.
Disclaimer: The information on Star Vistiq is collected from trusted public sources. We strive for accuracy but cannot guarantee completeness of celebrity profiles, net worth estimates, or biographical data. Readers should verify information independently. For corrections or inquiries, contact: info@starvistiq.com.
