Kristen Sze is a talented and inspiring television journalist who has become a trusted face in American news.
Known for her calm voice and clear reporting, she brings truth and warmth to every story she covers.
From her early dreams of becoming a reporter to anchoring at ABC7 News in San Francisco, Kristen’s journey shows passion, hard work, and dedication to keeping people informed and inspired every day.
Who is Kristen Sze?
Kristen Sze is a Taiwanese-American news anchor and reporter who has worked at ABC7 News in San Francisco since July 1998.
She currently anchors the station’s weekday 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts and has also reported for its 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. broadcasts.
Sze has built a reputation over her career for steady, community-focused reporting. She has covered subjects ranging from Bay Area breaking news to technology, politics, and higher education, and she remains active on-air as of mid-2026.
Her honors include two Northern California Emmy Awards and a “Best News Anchor” title from San Francisco BayList magazine.
Early Life of Kristen Sze
Sze was born in Taiwan. Her mother worked as a Chinese opera singer and actress, and Sze has said that background exposed her to performance and storytelling from an early age.
She moved to the United States with her family as a child and settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. She attended high school there and began writing for her school newspaper, which she has cited as an early step toward journalism.
While in high school she also started interning at Bay Area television stations. That hands-on experience carried into her college years and shaped her decision to pursue journalism professionally.
What nationality is Kristen Sze?
Kristen Sze is American by nationality and holds U.S. citizenship. She was born in Taiwan and is of Taiwanese-American, or Asian-American, ethnicity.
She has spoken about growing up with her mother’s background in Chinese opera, which connected her to Taiwanese culture and performance traditions from childhood.
Sze has also been an active member of the Asian American Journalists Association, which awarded her a scholarship during her university years.
Kristen Sze Parents
Kristen Sze has kept most details about her family private. She has not publicly shared the names of her parents or siblings.
However, it is known that her parents moved from Taiwan to the United States to give their family better opportunities. They supported Kristen’s education and passion for journalism from an early age.
There is no public information available about her siblings or their professions, as Kristen prefers to keep her personal and family life away from the media spotlight.
Kristen Sze Education
Kristen Sze completed her education in the United States after moving from Taiwan. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her degree in Political Science.
During her college years, she developed a strong interest in journalism and worked as an intern at several news stations.
Her education at UC Berkeley helped her build a solid foundation for her career in broadcasting, and she learned important skills in writing, communication, and public speaking that shaped her success as a news anchor.
Kristen Sze Age
Kristen Sze has not revealed her exact age, but she appears to be around 30 years old. At this age, she has earned great respect and recognition for her work in journalism.
She has received multiple Emmy Awards for her outstanding news reporting and anchoring. Kristen is also known for her strong community involvement, supporting education, safety, and volunteer programs.
Her achievements reflect her dedication, professionalism, and passion for delivering reliable news to viewers across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Kristen Sze Height and Weight
Kristen Sze is about 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs around 55 kilograms. She has a slim and graceful appearance that suits her on-screen presence as a news anchor.
She has a brown hair and brown captivating eyes, which enhances her more personality. Kristen maintains a healthy lifestyle by eating balanced meals and staying active.
Kristen Sze Career
Early Career
Sze began her television reporting career away from California, working in local news markets including Binghamton, New York, Fresno, California, Philadelphia, and New York City.
She has described that stretch as formative, giving her experience across very different-sized markets before she returned home.
In July 1998, she joined KGO-TV, the ABC affiliate in San Francisco known on-air as ABC7 News, after previously working as a national correspondent for Extra TV. She has called coming back to report in her hometown “a dream come true.”
Awards and On-Air Roles
In 1999, Sze won a Northern California Emmy Award in the Children/Youth Segment category for a report titled “Spin-Out School,” which explored youth development themes.
She followed that in 2002 with a second Emmy, this time in the Community Program category, for hosting “Profiles of Excellence: Asian American,” a KGO-TV segment celebrating achievements within the Asian American community.
In 2011, San Francisco BayList magazine voted her “Best News Anchor.” Over the years she has anchored several different newscast slots at the station, including a long run co-anchoring ABC7’s weekday morning news alongside Eric Thomas before both moved to other programs at the station in 2015.
Current Role
As of 2026, Sze continues to anchor ABC7 News on weekdays, primarily the 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. broadcasts. She has covered a wide range of recent stories, including interviews on artificial intelligence, Silicon Valley figures, and higher education, and she remains a regular byline on abc7news.com.
There is no indication in current reporting that Sze has left the station or scaled back her role. She remains one of the more visible long-tenured anchors in Bay Area local news.
Kristen Sze Community Involvement
Outside of her anchoring duties, Sze volunteers with several community organizations, including the Wender-Weis Foundation for Children, Help a Mother Out, My New Red Shoes, and the Kids and Art Foundation.
She has also worked with programs focused on empowering girls and women in journalism, leadership, and STEM fields.
She has moderated public panels as well, including a discussion at the Professional Businesswomen of California’s Young Women’s Summit.
What happened to Kristen Sze?
Nothing has happened to her. As of mid-2026, Sze is still anchoring ABC7 News on weekdays and continues to publish regular bylines on abc7news.com.
The “what happened to” search likely comes from viewers checking in on a longtime anchor rather than from any actual incident, departure, or health issue.
Does Kristen Sze look different now?
Many people think that she had some plastic surgery, but there’s no credible reporting behind this one.
The claim traces back to social media posts with vague titles and no actual evidence attached, not to any interview, statement, or verified source.
There’s nothing to confirm about her appearance changing beyond the normal effects of two decades on air.
How did Kristen Sze became Famous?
Kristen Sze became famous through her hard work and talent as a news anchor and reporter.
She started her career with small TV stations and later joined ABC7 News in San Francisco, where her clear reporting and warm personality won viewers’ hearts.
Her coverage of important local and national stories made her a trusted face in journalism.
Kristen’s dedication, honesty, and passion for storytelling helped her gain popularity and respect in the broadcasting industry.
Who is Kristen Sze married to?
Kristen Sze is married to Nelson Cheng, who is known to be a supportive and loving husband.
Nelson Cheng is a professional working in the business field, though he prefers to stay away from the spotlight.
The couple shares a happy and peaceful life together in the San Francisco Bay Area. They have two children and enjoy spending family time together.
Sze often expresses her gratitude for her husband’s constant encouragement and understanding throughout her busy journalism career.
Kristen Sze Children
Sze has confirmed she has children, referencing volunteering at “my kids’ schools” and cheering for them at sports events in her own ABC7 biography.
She has not publicly shared her children’s names, ages, or number, and that information has not been independently verified elsewhere.
Kristen Sze Net Worth
Kristen Sze has an estimated net worth of around $5 million in 2026. She earns most of her income from her work as a news anchor and reporter at ABC7 News in San Francisco.
Apart from her salary, Kristen also makes money through public speaking events, appearances, and participation in community programs.
Her dedication and long career in journalism have helped her build a strong financial foundation.
With awards, recognition, and experience, Kristen continues to grow her earnings while inspiring viewers through her professional work.
What is Kristen Sze’s salary?
Her exact salary has never been made public, and the figures floating around online don’t agree with each other, ranging anywhere from around $35,000 to $150,000 a year depending on the site.
Kristen Sze Social Media
Sze is active on Instagram as @kristen.sze, where her bio describes her beats as politics, higher education, technology, food, travel, and pickleball. She also posts on X under @abc7kristensze.
She has said she uses social media during newscasts specifically to share information and hear directly from viewers in real time.
