Donna Hanover TV and radio presenter, TV and film actress, journalist, TV producer and Date of Birth: 13.02.1950 Country: USA

Biography of Donna Hanover

Donna Hanover is a television and radio presenter, film and television actress, journalist, television producer, and the former First Lady of New York City from 1994 to 2001. She was born on February 13, 1950, in Oakland, California, USA, to a retired naval officer.

After graduating from high school, Donna attended Stanford University, where she met Stanley Hanover, an attractive Harvard graduate. In 1972, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and immediately married Stanley. The newlyweds moved to New York, where Donna enrolled in Columbia University and earned a master's degree in journalism.

Under the name Hanover, Donna began working as a television journalist on various channels across the country, from New York to Ohio. By 1977, she was hosting 80 hours of programming per week on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, including the evening show "Evening Magazine." In 1980, she divorced Stanley. During this time, Donna moved to Miami, where she became one of the main anchors for WSVN and met Rudolph Giuliani. They began living together in 1982, although Giuliani did not divorce his previous wife until 1983. After relocating to Washington, D.C., and then New York, Donna and Rudolph legalized their relationship. Two years later, their first child, Andrew Harold Giuliani, was born.

In New York, Hanover (keeping her maiden name as her professional brand) started working for the city's 11th channel, WPIX, where she was a prominent evening news anchor until the late 1980s. She also occasionally appeared on the show "Wall Street Journal Report." In 1989, Giuliani unsuccessfully ran for mayor of New York City, and Donna left television due to the birth of their daughter, Carolina. Interestingly, during this time, Donna sometimes used the surname Hanover, and sometimes Hanover-Giuliani, depending on the circumstances. In 1990, she permanently left WPIX and occasionally appeared on the 5th channel, WNYW.

In 1993, Donna actively participated in Giuliani's re-election campaign, portraying herself as a caring mother and wife. After a successful election, she became the First Lady of New York City and actively engaged in the city's healthcare and education initiatives. In addition to her public service, she managed to raise her children and worked as a reporter for the morning television show "Good Day New York" on WNYW. She also appeared on the network's Sunday morning show, worked for the national cable channel Food Network, and occasionally hosted a radio show on WYNY in New York.

Despite the challenges of a busy schedule, Donna's professionalism was recognized, even by Giuliani's political opponents. In 1996, she made her film debut in "The People vs. Larry Flynt," receiving critical acclaim for her role as Ruth Stapleton. That same year, she played a reporter from her former company WNYW in the film "Ransom."

From 1996 onwards, she used only the surname Hanover and her joint public appearances with Giuliani became rare. Rumors during this time attributed several affairs to Giuliani, including one with his assistant. Meanwhile, Donna acted in television series such as "Law & Order" (1997), playing Judge Burke, as well as in episodes of "Sex and the City," "Ally McBeal," "The Practice," and other shows.

In April 2000, Hanover agreed to play one of the lead roles in Eve Ensler's play "The Vagina Monologues." This caused controversy since Ensler was a vocal critic of Giuliani's policies as mayor. Her participation in the play was a blow to him. Following this, in late April, it was revealed that Giuliani had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. On May 2, Donna withdrew from "The Vagina Monologues" to support her husband. However, a day later, Giuliani was spotted in a restaurant with his mistress, Judith Nathan. On May 10, Giuliani announced his intention to divorce Donna during a press conference, leaving her to learn the news from reporters.

The divorce proceedings lasted from 2000 to 2002 and were concluded after Giuliani left the mayoral office. Donna retained custody of their children and received $6,800,000 from Giuliani.

In 2003, Hanover married Edwin Oster, a lawyer from Newport Beach, California. They had a romantic relationship during their school years, which rekindled more than 20 years later.

Currently, Donna Hanover divides her time between New York and California. She works as a television host for the cable channels Food Network and Fine Living, where she hosts the show "Homes & Hideaways." She is also a radio host and film critic for WOR in New York. In addition, she is an adjunct professor at the New York University Journalism School.

From the 1980s to 2007, Donna Hanover received four awards for her professional achievements: the "Pinnacle" award, the "New York State Associated Press Broadcasters' Association Award," the "San Francisco State University Broadcasts Award," and the "New York State Broadcasters Association's Outstanding On-Air Broadcast Team award."