Born in 1981, Ginger Renee Zuidgeest's name was changed to Ginger Zee for radio and television purposes. Growing up in small town Michigan, Ginger loved to watch storms developing over the lake and roll on to the shore. While others (her mom) were taking cover, Ginger was lost in the splendor of the weather. A passion was born.
Ginger is the chief meteorologist for "Good Morning America," and most of the audience sees a smart, fun-loving and interesting person. What people don't see is the struggles she has on a daily basis and what she went through to be on ABC.
In her book "Natural Disaster: I Cover Them. I am One," Ginger talks about her meteorologist career and the trauma of her life. Weather girl is not who Ginger is; she has her degree from Valparaiso University and she knows weather better than anyone. Her first big story was covering Hurricane Katrina. Ginger experienced the moment she may never experience again, as the devastation washed over, a bad dream you cannot wake up from. During one of her many moments, a little dog looking worn and tattered walks up to Ginger and plops down dead from all the trials it went through.
Her personal life is one of destruction, early in her life she was a runaway bride, but this is mild compared to hiding under a hotel desk to get away from an abusive relationship. When she worked in Chicago she was dating a politician who was actually engaged to someone else. Things got so bad and during a Chicago blizzard, she was drunk and taking shelter under a bridge. When her time came to be the weekend anchor for ABC in New York, she voluntarily checked herself into a psychiatric hospital to deal with her depression, a disease she battles every day.
Ginger is currently married to Ben Aaron, and they have a son, with another on the way due this month. Ginger was recently on "Dancing with the Stars," placing third. Her producers have her doing daredevil stunts on GMA.
Life is good, but she is aware how depression is a part of her life and a struggle she must deal with every day. This book is worth the read.
Brian D. Bray is the IT trainer at Missouri River Regional Library.