Esme Murphy Biography: Veteran WCCO-TV Anchor and Reporter, Family, Education, Marriage

“Journalism is about trust—earning it every day with clarity and fairness.” — Esme Murphy

Esme Murphy is an award-winning American journalist who has been a fixture at WCCO-TV (CBS affiliate in Minneapolis, Minnesota) since December 1990. She anchors Sunday morning newscasts and serves as a weekday general assignment reporter. Over her career, Murphy has earned multiple honors for investigative and feature reporting, making her one of the most respected voices in Minnesota journalism.

Timeline Overview

Year	Milestone
May 7, 1959	Born in New York City, New York
Late 1970s	Attended Harvard University – B.A. in History
1980s	Began career at CBS affiliate in Chattanooga, Tennessee
1980s	Reporter at ABC affiliate in Memphis, Tennessee
1990	Joined WCCO-TV Minneapolis
2000s	Earned Associated Press First Place Awards for investigative and feature reporting
Present	Sunday morning anchor and weekday reporter at WCCO-TV

Quick Facts

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Esme Murphy
Age	66 (born May 7, 1959)
Height	Approx. 5 ft 6 in
Education	Harvard University – B.A. History
Family	Married to David Brauer (media writer); two children
Marital Status	Married
Children	Two
Net Worth	Estimated $1–2 million
Salary	Estimated $80,000–$120,000 annually

Early Life & Education

Murphy was born in New York City in 1959. She attended Harvard University, graduating with a degree in History. Her Ivy League education gave her a strong foundation for a career in journalism, blending analytical skills with storytelling.

Esme Murphy Photo - WikiiTrends — Esme Murphy Photo – WikiiTrends

Career Background

Murphy began her career at a CBS affiliate in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before moving to an ABC affiliate in Memphis. In December 1990, she joined WCCO-TV Minneapolis, where she has remained for more than three decades.

She anchors Sunday morning newscasts and works as a weekday general assignment reporter, covering politics, community issues, and investigative stories. Her reporting has earned her Associated Press First Place Awards in non-spot news, feature reporting, and investigative journalism.

Achievements

Longtime anchor/reporter at WCCO-TV (since 1990)
Multiple Associated Press First Place Awards
Recognized for investigative and feature reporting
Trusted voice in Minnesota journalism

Personal Life

Esme Murphy is married to David Brauer, a Minneapolis-based media writer. Together, they have two children. She balances her professional career with family life and community involvement.

Salary & Net Worth

Salary: Estimated $80,000–$120,000 annually
Net Worth: Estimated $1–2 million

Legacy

Esme Murphy’s legacy lies in her consistency and credibility. With more than 30 years at WCCO-TV, she has become a trusted source of news for Minnesotans. Her career reflects resilience, professionalism, and a commitment to investigative storytelling, inspiring future generations of journalists.