Zoey Tur (Bob Tur) Bio: A Pioneering Broadcast Reporter and Pilot
Hanna Zoey Tur, formerly known as Robert Albert Tur, is an accomplished American broadcast reporter and commercial pilot. Together with her former spouse and fellow reporter, Marika Gerrard, Tur played a pivotal role in the creation of the Los Angeles News Service, a significant platform for news coverage in the Los Angeles area.
Early Life and Education
Born into a Jewish family, Zoey Tur embarked on her career path at a young age. At 18 years old in 1978, she made the decision to drop out of college, forging her own unique path in the world of journalism.
Career Highlights
The Los Angeles News Service, co-founded by Zoey Tur and Marika Gerrard, revolutionized news reporting by being the first to utilize an AStar helicopter to cover breaking news in a major city. They also achieved the milestone of being the first to televise a high-speed police chase.
Zoey Tur’s exceptional reporting skills were showcased in various noteworthy events, such as her coverage of the attack on Reginald Denny during the 1992 Los Angeles riots and her discovery of the crash site of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771. Additionally, she made history by being the first to broadcast O.J. Simpson’s infamous slow-speed chase on June 17, 1994.
In one memorable incident on March 25, 1989, Zoey Tur employed a helicopter to locate a camper in urgent need of a kidney transplant. This remarkable act of humanitarianism was later reenacted on the television program Rescue 911.
Throughout their collaborative efforts, Zoey Tur and Marika Gerrard received accolades for their exceptional journalism. They were honored with three Television News Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards for their outstanding broadcast excellence.
Their contributions were further recognized with an Associated Press National Breaking News award and the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Humanitarian Award.
However, Zoey Tur’s career faced a setback in 1991 when her pilot’s license was revoked by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to allegations of “reckless flying” prompted by a complaint from the Los Angeles City Fire Department.
However, in 1994, a California Superior Court ruled against the Los Angeles Fire Department for engaging in perjury during the original FAA action. The court awarded Zoey Tur $550,000 and established that public employees are not immune from liability when they initiate prosecution through fraudulent, corrupt, or malicious misrepresentations.
Zoey Tur’s talents extended beyond journalism, as she has been credited with locating seven missing aircraft, demonstrating her exceptional skills as a pilot and navigator.
Beyond her reporting endeavors, Zoey Tur expanded her media presence by hosting a documentary series on MSNBC in 2007 called Why They Run. The show delved into the motivations behind why criminal suspects choose to flee from the police and featured interviews with individuals involved in police pursuits.
In subsequent years, Zoey Tur made appearances on various television programs, including Inside Edition on CNN, TMZ, and Dr. Drew On Call in 2015.
Her contributions were not limited to television, as she also appeared in the acclaimed miniseries O.J.: Made In America in 2016.
This series incorporated archival footage as well as Zoey Tur’s personal recollections of covering the 1992 Los Angeles riots in episode 2 and her involvement in the June 17, 1994 police chase of O.J. Simpson.
Zoey Tur Age
Zoey Tur, also known as Hanna Zoey Tur, was born on June 8, 1960, which makes her 63 years old. She was born in Los Angeles County, California, and has a strong connection to the city where she has pursued her career in journalism and aviation.
Zoey Tur Net Worth
As of 2022, Zoey Tur, also known as Hanna Zoey Tur, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million dollars. Her wealth has been predominantly acquired through her prosperous broadcasting career. With her extensive experience and notable achievements in the industry, Zoey Tur has secured a stable financial position.
Zoey Tur Transgender and Marriage
Zoey Tur’s life took a significant turn in 2003 when her 23-year marriage to Marika Gerrard came to an end. The couple, who had two children together, Katy and James, faced a new chapter in their lives following the separation. Katy Tur, now a prominent television news reporter and anchor, and James, who pursued a career in medicine, have continued to be a part of Zoey Tur’s life, despite the challenges that arose.
In June 2013, Zoey Tur made a courageous and public declaration, coming out as transgender. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of her journey towards self-acceptance and living authentically. The following year, in 2014, Zoey Tur shared that she was undergoing hormone replacement therapy as part of her transition process. In August of the same year, following gender reassignment surgery, she sought legal recognition by applying to a court for a name and gender marker change, transitioning from male to female.
Reflecting on her transition during a 2017 interview, Zoey Tur emphasized that her experience was not political but a medical condition that required treatment. She expressed a sense of fulfillment, stating, “I’m cured. I’m done.” Additionally, she addressed misconceptions about being transgender, affirming that it is not a mental illness but rather a difference in brain structure.
