David Begnaud started out as an unpaid teenage reporter at a local Louisiana TV station and eventually won one of journalism’s most prestigious awards for staying on the ground in Puerto Rico through back-to-back hurricanes. This article covers his background, current status, and the career and personal details readers ask about most.
Background
David Begnaud is an American television journalist who has worked for CBS News since 2015, with his reporting featured across CBS Mornings, the CBS Evening News, 48 Hours, and CBS Sunday Morning. People search for him because of his extensive coverage of Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, his openness about coming out publicly, and his history of overcoming Tourette syndrome to build a national broadcasting career.
His decision to remain in Puerto Rico for extended stretches to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Maria set him apart from many national correspondents and became a defining moment of his career.
Latest Update
As of August 21, 2026, here is what’s currently known. David Begnaud continues to work as a journalist for CBS News, with recent sources describing him serving in a contributor role. No new confirmed controversy or major career change has been independently verified as of this date beyond his continued CBS News reporting work.
📅 Key date: February 2018 — the month David Begnaud won the George Polk Award for public service for his reporting on Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
David Begnaud was born on June 13, 1983, in Lafayette, Louisiana. He attended Catholic school, where he served as an altar boy and Eucharistic minister. At age six, he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, which he has spoken about publicly since 2018, describing it as a motivating factor rather than an excuse in his career.
Career Path
Begnaud began his television career as an unpaid teen reporter at KLFY-TV 10 in Lafayette, Louisiana, from 2001 to 2005, later becoming a full-time reporter and weekend anchor there. He worked at KSLA in Shreveport, Louisiana, and stations in Sacramento and Los Angeles, including a stint at ORA-TV reporting for “Newsbreaker.” He joined CBS News in 2015, becoming the network’s lead national correspondent. In September 2017, CBS sent him to Puerto Rico to cover Hurricane Irma, and he remained there through Hurricane Maria, delivering extended, on-the-ground coverage that earned him the George Polk Award for public service in February 2018.
Age
David Begnaud is 43 years old as of his most recent birthday in June 2026, based on a June 13, 1983 birth date.
Religion
David Begnaud was raised Catholic, attending Catholic school where he served as an altar boy and Eucharistic minister.
Spouse/Partner
David Begnaud came out publicly on June 24, 2018. He has been reported to be in a long-term relationship with a partner named Jeremy, whom he described in a 2018 interview as having been together for seven years at that point. This detail is widely reported but not extensively confirmed through further public statements.
Net Worth
David Begnaud’s net worth is widely estimated at between $1 million and $5 million, based on figures repeated across several biography sites tied to his broadcast journalism career. This figure is not independently verified.
Parents
Some biography sources list David Begnaud’s parents as Connie Despanie and Benjamin Hall, though this detail is widely reported rather than independently confirmed by Begnaud himself.
Height
David Begnaud is widely listed at approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall.
Education
David Begnaud earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005.
Hometown/State of Origin
David Begnaud is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, and is now based between New York City and Los Angeles for his CBS News work.
Official Social Media
You can follow David Begnaud on X (formerly Twitter) at @DavidBegnaud.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Begnaud |
| Born | June 13, 1983, Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Known For | CBS News correspondent; Puerto Rico hurricane coverage |
| Education | University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2005 |
| Notable Award | 2018 George Polk Award for Public Service |
| Health | Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at age six |
💡 Good to know: David Begnaud has spoken publicly about living with Tourette syndrome since childhood, describing it as something his parents never let him use as an excuse, and instead as a motivator in his journalism career.
Reader Questions (FAQ)
How old is David Begnaud?
David Begnaud was born on June 13, 1983, making him 43 years old as of his 2026 birthday.
What is David Begnaud’s net worth?
David Begnaud’s net worth is widely estimated at between $1 million and $5 million, based on figures repeated across multiple sources. This is not independently confirmed.
Is David Begnaud gay?
Yes, David Begnaud came out publicly on June 24, 2018, and has been reported to be in a long-term relationship since then.
What award did David Begnaud win for his Puerto Rico coverage?
David Begnaud won the George Polk Award for Public Service in February 2018 for his reporting on Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico.
Does David Begnaud have Tourette syndrome?
Yes, David Begnaud was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at age six and has spoken publicly about it since December 2018.
What college did David Begnaud attend?
David Begnaud earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005.
Where is David Begnaud from?
David Begnaud is from Lafayette, Louisiana, and began his career there as a teenage reporter.
Wrap-Up
David Begnaud’s path from an unpaid teen reporter in Louisiana to a national CBS News correspondent covering some of the biggest natural disaster stories in recent memory reflects the kind of grinding, local-to-national trajectory that defines many successful broadcast careers.
His openness about both his sexuality and his experience living with Tourette syndrome has also made him a relatable figure for readers who want more than just a career summary from a journalist they watch on television.
As with most public figures, some details about David Begnaud — his exact net worth and full information about his parents — remain unconfirmed. This article will be updated if verified information becomes available.
John Wood is the founder and lead editor of Biography Region. He researches and writes accurate, engaging biographies of celebrities, entrepreneurs, influencers, and public figures, delivering well-sourced, reader-focused content that informs and inspires.