Melanie Lawson Bio
Melanie Lawson is a renowned American 3x Emmy Award-winning journalist working as a news anchor for ABC13 Eyewitness News at 11 a.m. She has been with the station since joining in 1982, and she’ll be retiring in January 2025, after an extraordinary 43-year journey with ABC13.

How Old is Melanie Lawson?
Lawson is 56 years old as of 2025; she was born on May 10, 1969, in Houston, Texas. She celebrates her birthday on May 10 every year.
Melanie Lawson Education Background
Lawson holds an undergraduate degree in Politics from Princeton University. She also pursued graduate studies at Columbia University, where she earned a joint degree in Law and Journalism.
Melanie Lawson Career Experience
Lawson works at ABC13 KTRK-TV in Houston, where she co-anchors Eyewitness News at 11 a.m. and Live at 5, and also hosts Crossroads, a weekly community affairs program that highlights issues and events shaping Houston’s diverse communities. Her journalism career at ABC13 began as a general assignments reporter, where she covered a wide range of stories both locally and nationally. Over time, she rose to anchor positions, becoming a trusted voice for Houston audiences.
Lawson has covered major national and international events, including President Bill Clinton’s historic visit to South Africa. She has also reported extensively on Houston’s diverse communities, elections, and civic issues, earning a reputation for her compassion in reporting. In addition to her coverage, Lawson has covered major global stories from across different countries, including Australia, Sudan, Panama, South Africa, and Cuba, and has also covered the rise of superstar performers like Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child.
Beyond the newsroom, Lawson has worked with organizations such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Houston Association of Black Journalists, Houston Ballet, the Ensemble Theatre, SHAPE Community Center, Asia Society, and many more. Her commitment to journalism, on the other hand, has been recognized with numerous honors, including lifetime achievement awards from the Houston Press Club, three Emmys, the Houston Association of Black Journalists, the “Women of Distinction” award from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, the YWCA’s “Outstanding Women of the Year,” and Julie Rogers Ecumenism Award from the Anti-Defamation League. Notably, her reputation as a trailblazer in Houston media has earned her recognition as one of the city’s most influential journalists
At ABC13, Lawson works alongside the following:
- Brianna Willis
- Brandon Hamilton
- Charly Edsitty
- Bob Slovak
- Elita Loresca
- Briana Conner
- David Tillman
- Elyse Smith
- Erica Simon
- Gina Gaston
- Erik Barajas
- Jonathan Bruce
- Jeff Ehling
- Kevin Roth
- Miya Shay
- Samica Knight
- Rita Garcia
- Travis Herzog
- Tom Abrahams
Melanie Lawson Height
Lawson has an approximate height of 5 feet and 6 inches, equal to 167.64 cm.
Who Is Melanie Lawson’s Husband?
Lawson was previously married to Geary G. Broadnax. The couple tied the knot on September 13, 1986, but the marriage did not last, and the couple eventually divorced in December 1986, just 12 days after their wedding. As of 2025, Lawson is married to John Guess Jr., a prominent Houston attorney and businessman. Their relationship has been noted in local media, and they have been together since 2020.
Who Are Melanie Lawson’s Parents and Siblings?
Lawson was born in the United States to her parents, Rev. Bill Lawson (born in 1928 and is 97 years old as of 2025) and Audrey Lawson, both prominent figures in Houston. She grew up alongside her three siblings, Eric Lawson, Roxanne Lawson, and Cheryl Lawson. Her mother, however, passed away as she mentioned in one of her Instagram posts posted on Mother’s Day on May 15, 2023. She captioned, “Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day! Our mom would be so proud to see her grandkids and now great-grandkids growing up happy and healthy! And to see Daddy at nearly 95 years old. Wow! We miss her every day, but she left us with so much love!❤️❤️❤️.”
Additionally, on June 21, 2022, she wished her father a Happy Father’s Day on her Instagram account. She captioned, “Happy Father’s Day to the best Dad on the planet!! We love you so much, and we’re grateful for every day we are blessed to spend with you! ❤️❤️🙏🏽💐.”
Melanie Lawson Kids
Lawson has maintained a low profile regarding her children; however, it is still uncertain whether she has children. She prefers to keep her personal life away from the limelight. However, detailed information will be provided upon availability.
How Much Does Melanie Lawson Earn?
Lawson has an average salary range of between $30,000 and $80,000 from working as a news anchor/reporter.
Melanie Lawson’s Net Worth
Lawson has an estimated net worth of $1 million to $5 million, reflecting her successful career in the media industry. Her foremost source of income is mainly associated with working as a broadcast journalist.
Melanie Lawson’s Social Media Accounts
Lawson frequently uses social media sites where she interacts and connects with her followers by sharing information about her professional and personal encounters. Some of her platforms include Twitter @MelanieLawson13 with more than 22.2k followers, Instagram @abc13melanielawson with more than 13.6k followers, and Facebook @Melanie Lawson with more than 43k followers.
Quick check about Melanie Lawson
- Age: 56 years old as of 2025
- Birth name:
- Born: Houston, Texas
- Marital status: Married
- Spouse: John Guess Jr.
- Children: No children as of 2025
- Nationality: American
- Net worth: A range of $1 million to $5 million
- Salary: Estimated salary of $30,000 to $80,000
- Height: 5 feet and 6 inches, equal to 167.64 cm
- Profession: Journalist
- Parents: Rev. Bill Lawson (born in 1928 and is 97 years old as of 2025) and Audrey Lawson (died)
- Siblings: Eric Lawson, Roxanne Lawson, and Cheryl Lawson