Roz Varon is a well-known Chicago broadcaster. She spent 35 years as the traffic and transportation anchor at ABC 7 Chicago before retiring in 2024. She was the first traffic reporter in the country to bring rush hour reporting to TV morning news.
Who is Roz Varon?
Roz Varon is an American journalist best known for her long career at ABC 7 Chicago (WLS-TV). She joined the station in 1989 as the morning traffic anchor and quickly became a trusted voice for commuters across the city.
Beyond traffic reporting, she covered the broader transportation beat and hosted “Weekender,” a weekly roundup of Chicago events. She retired from ABC 7 in April 2024 after 35 years with the station.
How old is Roz Varon?
Roz Varon was born on November 25, 1957. That makes her 68 years old in 2026.
Roz Varon’s Bio
| Full Name | Roz Varon |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Roz |
| Profession | Journalist, Traffic Anchor, Author |
| Date of Birth | November 25, 1957 |
| Age | 68 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Ethnicity | White, Jewish heritage |
| Known For | First traffic anchor at ABC 7 Chicago |
Roz later moved to the Chicago area, where she built her decades-long broadcasting career. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 1980 with a degree in broadcast communications.
Roz Varon’s Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | Not publicly known |
| Eye Color | Not publicly known |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Body Type | Average |
Roz has kept most physical details private over the years. She has been open, though, about her health journey, including her experience as a breast cancer survivor.
Background and Early Life
Roz was born in New York. Her father, Jack Varon, served as a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard.
She later moved to the Chicago area and studied broadcast communications at Columbia College Chicago. While in school, she worked on-air at the college’s radio station, WCRX, which gave her early hands-on training in broadcasting.
Is she married? Who is Roz Varon’s husband?
Roz Varon is married to Glen Janz. The couple has lived together in Chicago’s western suburbs for many years.
She has generally kept details about her marriage private, choosing to focus public attention on her career and community work.
Family Background
Roz’s parents were Jack and Bea Varon. She also has a sister named Pam. Her father passed away at age 84, and her mother passed away in August 2022.
Roz and her husband, Glen, had a daughter named Sara Beth Janz, an alum of Columbia College Chicago. Sadly, Sara passed away in January 2025 at the age of 29. Roz has since established the Sara Janz Memorial Scholarship Fund in her daughter’s memory.
Roz Varon’s Net Worth 2026
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $1 million |
| 2023 | $1.2 million |
| 2024 | $1.3 million |
| 2025 | $1.4 million |
| 2026 | $1.5 million |
Roz built her wealth mainly through her 35-year career as a traffic anchor at ABC 7 Chicago. Additional income came from her book, “On the Road with Roz,” along with speaking engagements as a cancer awareness advocate.
Career
Roz joined ABC 7 Chicago as morning traffic anchor in April 1989. She made history as the first person in the country to bring rush hour traffic reporting to TV morning news.
Over her 35-year career, she won multiple Emmy Awards for traffic reporting, specialty programming, and features. She retired from ABC 7 on April 5, 2024, closing out a career that shaped how Chicago viewers got their daily traffic updates.
Lesser-Known Facts About Roz Varon
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Published Author | Wrote “On the Road with Roz: Adventures in Travel and Life” |
| Health Advocacy | Breast cancer survivor and awareness speaker |
| Animal Welfare | Volunteers with the Anti-Cruelty Society and PAWS Chicago |
| Broadcasting Board | Serves on the Board of Governors, NATAS Chicago/Midwest chapter |
| Recognition | Inducted into ABC 7’s Silver Circle |
Roz’s book about her travels along Route 66 shows a side of her beyond the traffic desk. Her long-standing volunteer work with animal welfare groups also reflects her interests outside of broadcasting.
Roz Varon Social Media
Roz has stayed connected with her audience over the years through social media, sharing updates about her life, travels, and advocacy work following her retirement from ABC 7.
Her following includes many longtime Chicago viewers who tuned in daily during her decades on air.
FAQs
Q: How old is Roz Varon?
A: She was born on November 25, 1957, making Roz Varon age 68 years old in 2026.
Q: Is Roz Varon married?
A: Yes, she is married to Glen Janz.
Q: What is Roz Varon’s net worth?
A: Her estimated net worth in 2026 is around $1.5 million.
Q: What is Roz Varon’s nationality?
A: She is American, born in New York.
Q: What is Roz Varon known for?
A: She’s known for being the first traffic anchor at ABC 7 Chicago, a role she held for 35 years before retiring in 2024.