Shawn Killinger is a television anchor, reporter, and news presenter who currently works as a lifestyle and beauty host on QVC, an American free-to-air television network. She has a knack for bringing out the best in people and products, whether it’s on the QVC screen or on the news desk. She has been in the media industry for over two decades, starting from CBS where she rubbed shoulders with legends like David Bateman and Dan Rather. She then moved on to FOX and WRGB-TV, where she delivered the morning news and entertainment with flair and finesse. She joined QVC in 2007 and since then, she has been dazzling viewers with her charm, wit, and passion for beauty and fashion. She is a proud Penn State alumna with a degree in marketing and a command of Spanish, thanks to her childhood years in Mexico. She is also a devoted wife to Joe Caretta and a loving mother to three adorable kids. Shawn Killinger is more than a host, she is a friend.
Table of Contents
Early Life
Shawn Elizabeth Killinger was born on the 2nd of November 1979 in Michigan, United States. She grew up in Grosse Pointe and Detroit until 11 years old when her life changed dramatically. Her father got a job opportunity in Mexico City, and the whole family packed their bags and moved to a new country. Shawn was nervous and excited at the same time. She had to learn a new language, a new culture, and a new way of life. She enrolled in the International American School Foundation, where she met other kids from different backgrounds and countries. She quickly became fluent in Spanish and Mexican, and developed a passion for travel and learning.
Shawn returned to the US with her family when she was 15 years old. She missed Mexico, but she was also happy to be back in her homeland. She continued her education in United States. After completing high school she joined Penn State College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Done with her education, Killinger traveled around Europe for quite a while.
Professional Career
Shawn Killinger is a versatile and charismatic TV personality who has been in the media industry for over 25 years. She started her career as a production assistant at CBS News in 1995, where she learned the ropes of broadcast journalism. She was over two-year with the network and worked on CBS 60 Minutes and CBS Evening News With Dan Rather. But the highlight of her stay is undoubtedly her work on the Late Show With David Letterman. She then moved on to become a morning reporter and fill-in anchor at WRGB-TV CBS in Albany, New York, where she covered breaking news, politics, and entertainment for three years. She then joined WKMG- TV as a morning anchor in Orlando. Shawn got her much-awaited break when she was chosen to feature in the reality TV game show entitled The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. The show aired on the NBC network and while Shawn was sent home in the third week, she managed to make the most out of her time. She got a call from QVC two years later and has been working for them as the host of a four-hour-long live broadcast.
Here is a quick timeline of Shawn Killinger’s career:
- 1995: She graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in marketing.
- 1995-1996: Interned at CBS News on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather and The Late Show with David Letterman
- 1996-1997: Worked as a Production Assistant at the Foreign Desk of CBS News
- 1999-2002: Worked as a Morning Reporter and Fill-in Noon Anchor at WRGB-TV CBS Albany NY
- 2002-2005: Worked as a Weekday Morning Anchor at WKMG-TV CBS Orlando
- 2005: She participated in the reality show The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, where she was fired by Martha Stewart in the third episode.
- 2007-present: She joined QVC as a TV host, covering lifestyle, beauty, fashion and travel topics
Controversy
Back in January 2015, Shawn and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi were involved in a heated argument over whether the moon is a planet or a star while promoting a cardigan line on QVC. The correct answer is that the moon is neither a planet nor a star, but a natural satellite, but neither of them seemed to know that. The clip went viral and attracted ridicule and mockery from the internet.
Net Worth
Shawn Killinger has an estimated net worth of $2.4 million. Her salary at QVC is expected to be at leat $80,000 a year. She also earns money from her online presence and endorsements. She is the creator of the Studio Park x Shawn Killinger collection, a line of clothing and accessories inspired by her personal style.
Personal Life & Relationship
Marriage, Miscarriage & Adoption
Shawn Killinger is happily married to Joe Carretta. Unlike Shawn, Joe is a professional consultant and businessman and currently serves as the director for Sunrise Senior Living company. The pair met on an online dating site and have been together ever since. They got hitched on the 13th of April 2013 and are currently residing in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Back in 2014, Shawn suffered from a miscarriage while she was in her fifth month of pregnancy. The pair chose to adopt and are proud parents to Jagger Jude whom they adopted in 2017. Born on June 6, 2017, Jude is 6 years old and has completed her kinder education. Alongside Jude, Shawn also looks after two of Joe’s children from his previous marriage.
Relationship with her Husband
Shawn seems to have a happy and loving relationship with her husband and daughter. They live in Philadelphia with their daughter. She often shares pictures of them on her Instagram and Facebook accounts. She also celebrates their birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions with them.
Cancer
The question often asked about Shawn is if she has/had cancer. The rumor got traction a few years back which could be mainly due to her father who suffered from cancer & passed away. As for Shawn, she looks fine and an extensive lookout through her social media posts does not show any sign of chemo treatment. As for Shawn, she has never officially confirmed the disease.
Parents/Siblings/Loss of Father
Shawn Killinger is the daughter of David R. Killinger Sr. and Lo Killinger. Her father worked as a lawyer and was also a union activist for Ford. She has a brother, David Jr. who is older in age and lives in Nashville with his family. Shawn was raised in a close-knit family environment and grew up to share a close bond with her father. However, Shawn’s world was shattered when her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She became his caregiver and companion, driving him to his treatments and spending quality time with him. She also shared their journey on social media, where she posted heartfelt tributes and photos of their bond. She lost her father on May 2, 2020, but she keeps his memory alive by honoring him on special occasions.
Wiki/Bio Facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Shawn Elizabeth Killinger |
| Date of birth | November 2, 1972 |
| Place of birth | Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Education | Penn State University (B.S. in Marketing) |
| Occupation | Lifestyle and beauty host on QVC |
| Career start | CBS News (1995) |
| QVC debut | June 2007 |
| Spouse | Joe Caretta (m. 2013) |
| Children | Jagger Jude Killinger-Caretta (adopted daughter), two stepsons |
| Parents | David Killinger Sr. (deceased) and Lo Killinger |
| Sibling | David Killinger Jr. (brother) |
| Residence | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (approx.) |
| Weight | 50 kg (approx.) |
| Hair color | Blonde |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
| Net worth | $2.4 million (approx.) |
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