Katy Tur's Family Roots in Journalism
Katy Tur, the renowned journalist and author, was born into a family deeply entrenched in the world of news reporting. Her upbringing in Los Angeles was shaped by her parents, Zoey Tur and Marika Gerrard, who were pioneers in aerial journalism. This unique family environment, which included her brother James Tur, laid the foundation for Katy's own career in media.
Meet Katy Tur's Parents: Zoey Tur and Marika Gerrard
Zoey Tur, formerly known as Bob Tur, and Marika Gerrard met in Los Angeles in 1978 at the Westwood Bruin Theatre. Their relationship was anything but conventional, often centered around covering breaking news events. In the early 1980s, they married and co-founded the Los Angeles News Service, a groundbreaking helicopter news reporting company. Zoey piloted the helicopter while Marika operated the camera, capturing major stories such as the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the O. J. Simpson police chase. Their work earned them multiple accolades, including three Television News Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award.
Katy Tur has often reflected on her childhood, describing it as "a really unique and interesting childhood that nobody else had." She recalled in a 2021 CBS Sunday Morning interview, "When I was a kid they were the coolest people in the world. We had a helicopter. I got to go up in a helicopter. I knew how to fly a helicopter!" The couple's marriage and professional partnership lasted over two decades before ending in divorce in 2003.
Zoey Tur: A Trailblazing Journalist and Advocate
Zoey Tur was born Robert Albert Tur on June 8, 1960, in Los Angeles County, California, into a Jewish family. She built a long and unconventional career as a journalist and TV personality. In June 2013, Zoey publicly came out as transgender, adopting her current name. She called her daughter Katy to share this news, a moment Katy later recounted in her 2022 memoir, Rough Draft, and in interviews. Zoey made history as a national correspondent for Inside Edition, emphasizing, "I am not covering stories as a transgender reporter. I’m a reporter who is transgender." Today, she is known for her journalism and advocacy for transgender awareness.
Marika Gerrard: The Camera Operator and Producer
Marika Gerrard was born on December 10, 1954, in Los Angeles. She is a media producer and camera operator, best known for her aerial news coverage. Gerrard earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy from UCLA and worked on projects like Circadian Rhythm (2005) and A New Tomorrow (2007). Her role in co-founding the Los Angeles News Service was highlighted in the documentary Whirlybird. In Katy's memoir, Gerrard reflected on the risks of their work, saying, "Now that I think about it, I think, 'This was ridiculous that the both of us were up in the air doing this dangerous stuff, and we have two kids.'"
James Tur: Katy Tur's Only Sibling
James Tur, Katy's younger brother, grew up with her in Los Angeles but chose a different career path, becoming a physician. He earned his MD from Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in 2018, a milestone Katy celebrated on social media, writing, "my brother graduated from medical school today and I couldn't be a prouder older sis!" In 2023, he completed a five-year combined Internal Medicine and Psychiatry residency at UC Davis Medical Centre. Unlike his family members, James largely keeps his life out of the public spotlight.
Katy Tur's Relationship with Her Father
Katy Tur's relationship with her father, Zoey Tur, has been complex and marked by estrangement for over a decade. In her memoir and interviews, Katy described a turbulent childhood, recalling instances of violence and emotional turmoil. She said, "Something would set him off, and he would get so, so out of control that he would throw his fist through a wall." Despite this, Zoey has publicly expressed regret for her past actions, stating in a 2022 CBS News interview, "I’m not hiding anymore. And if it takes an act of public humiliation in front of a camera to make Katy feel better and feel vindicated, so be it. I love her that much."
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Katy Tur's father? Zoey Tur, a pioneering helicopter news reporter and co-founder of the Los Angeles News Service.
- Who is Katy Tur's mother? Marika Gerrard, a journalist and videographer who co-founded the Los Angeles News Service.
- When did Zoey Tur come out? She publicly came out as transgender in June 2013.
- When did Katy Tur's parents divorce? They divorced in 2003 after more than two decades of marriage.
- Does Katy Tur have siblings? Yes, she has a younger brother named James Tur, who is a physician.
- How old is Katy Tur? As of March 2026, she is 42 years old, born on October 26, 1983.
Katy Tur's family background, with its blend of pioneering journalism and personal challenges, has significantly influenced her career and public persona. Her parents' legacy in news reporting and her brother's achievements in medicine highlight a diverse and accomplished family dynamic.
