Biography of Giselle Fernandez

As a film maker, Fernandez completed her first feature length documentary in 2004, Our Story, the compelling story of a little boy with cancer who had a dream to change the world. Fernandez is also writing a series of children's books, the first entitled Gigi and the Birthday Ring.

Known over the past decade for her coverage of international news stories and major events, Fernandez has made significant contributions to the CBS and NBC networks. Among her numerous posts, Fernandez anchored NBC's weekend edition of the "Today Show" and Sunday edition of the "NBC Nightly News." She also handled special and foreign assignments for the NBC network. Prior to that, Fernandez served at CBS News substituting for Paula Zahn on "CBS This Morning," Dan Rather on the "CBS Evening News" and Connie Chung on the "CBS Weekend News". Additionally, Fernandez was a regular contributor to CBS "Sunday Morning," "Face the Nation" and "48 Hours." Her coverage of international news stories such as the Gulf War, the US Invasions of Haiti and Panama, the Somalia and Bosnian Wars, Hurricane Andrew, the 1993 World Trade Center and Oklahoma City bombings, and interviews with global leaders like Fidel Castro, Henry Kissinger, Presidents William Clinton and George H.W. Bush, Vice-President Albert Gore and U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, garnered this news veteran five Emmy Awards.

In a brief three-year departure from serious reporting, Fernandez, known for her unique style of interviewing, co-hosted "This Week in History," a one-hour weekly documentary series profiling famous people and events in history on A&E Network's History Channel and profiled Hollywood's a-list celebrities as co-host of NBC's nightly entertainment news magazine, "Access Hollywood." Fernandez also hosted "Cafe Ole", her own talk show for Si Tv. From Barbra Streisand to Sharon Stone to Robert Redford and Tom Cruise, Fernandez was a favorite, and highly regarded as one of the finest interviewers in Hollywood. In the words of Oprah Winfrey after a Fernandez profile, the talk show Queen summed it up best with, "She's a magical girl."

Born in Mexico and raised in Southern California, Fernandez is the daughter of a Jewish mother and renowned Mexican flamenco dancer father. Her ethnic heritage inspired her to refer to herself as the original "Kosher Burrito." As a young child touring Mexico with her mother, who was researching a doctoral thesis in Mexican folklore, Fernandez developed her passion for journalism. Rich with knowledge and filled with excitement, the experience of exploring Mexican pueblos and gathering ystical stories inspired her to pursue a career in journalism.

Majoring in journalism at Sacramento State University in northern California, Fernandez landed her first on-air job in Pueblo, Colorado following graduation. Through the years she has anchored and reported in top positions in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami before being elevated to a career in network news in New York.

Away from the cameras, Fernandez is busy covering her other passions. She actively lectures on the subjects of Latina empowerment, education and reading, health and fitness, spas, and alternative approaches to medicine and healing. She has been a guest editor for both Shape and Living Fit magazines and writes feature articles on the latest in the fields of health and fitness.

A Childrens Hospital Los Angeles board of trustees member, Fernandez organized Noche de Ninos and is active with several charities that raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, education, and treatment. She is an active supporter of "Revlon's Run/Walk for Women" and was spokesperson for "Race For The Cure," an annual event benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Fernandez also serves on the board of Latina Magazine, "Wonder of Reading" and the Latin Grammies in addition to the Smithsonian National Board for Latino Initiatives and is an active champion in the Latino community. She also supports the Beit Issie Shapiro Foundation, a charity which helps developmentally disabled children in Israel. In 2005 she was honored by Hispanic Magazine with their Achievement Award for Entertainment.

Fernandez is an avid collector of Latin American art and the work of famous women photographers. Her passion for researching the lives of daring dames and maverick women throughout history is evident not only in her extensive library but also at her future web site, DaringDames.com. Her passions also include running, hiking with her three dogs and tennis. Fernandez splits her time between Los Angeles and Fiji with her husband, John Farrand, former CEO of Panavision, Inc.