Meet Neil Orne's wife, former News 2 reporter, Karen Higbee
While many recognise Karen Higbee as Neil Orne's wife, or rather ex-wife, there's far more to her than her marriage to the news anchor. A seasoned journalist in her own right, Karen carved out an impressive career in broadcast news before stepping away from the spotlight.
Source: Instagram
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Key takeaways
- Karen Higbee is a former News 2 reporter briefly married to long-time anchor Neil Orne.
- She built a successful journalism and public relations career, with nearly seven years at WKRN-TV.
- Karen holds a degree in Journalism and Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University and has worked across various media and PR roles.
Karen Higbee's profile summary
| Full name | Karen Higbee |
| Claim to fame | Celebrity ex-wife |
| Gender | Female |
| Alma mater | Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Ex-spouse | Neil Orne |
| Children | 0 |
Who is Neil Orne's wife?
Although they divorced, Neil Orne was previously married to Karen Higbee. Karen previously worked as a reporter at News 2. She studied at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Psychology. Her time at the university spanned from 2005 to 2007.
Karen Higbee's career
Karen's LinkedIn profile shows she has built a career in public relations, media, and journalism. Since July 2020, she has held the position of Account Supervisor at DVL Seigenthaler, a division of Finn Partners.
Before working in this role, she worked for over five years as a Senior Account Executive at the same firm from April 2015 to July 2020. Her professional journey with the company has been based in the Greater Nashville Area.
Before joining DVL Seigenthaler, she spent just over a year (from August 2013 to August 2014) working at Kaleidoscope Media in Nashville. Here, she focused on public relations and media-related responsibilities.
Earlier in her career, she served as a News Producer and Reporter at WKRN-TV in Nashville, Tennessee, a role she held from October 2006 until July 2013, amounting to nearly seven years in television journalism.
When did Neil Orne and Karen Higbee get married?
Neil Orne and Karen Higbee got married in 2014, holding a small, private ceremony outside their home state. The couple planned to host a wedding reception in Nashville. At the wedding, Orne's two daughters, aged four and seven at the time, were each given rings to feel included in the engagement.
Their relationship began as a friendship at work around four years earlier. At the time, Higbee was working as a producer while Orne served as an anchor, and due to their opposite schedules, they would only briefly encounter each other. However, they gradually grew closer through work-related events held after hours, such as birthday and retirement parties.
Source: Instagram
Initially, their bond remained platonic until Higbee reportedly stated that they both eventually realised that they would feel a significant loss without each other in their lives. This marked the point at which their friendship developed into a romantic relationship.
The relationship progressed quickly after that, although Orne was said to have delayed the proposal. Before proposing, he carried the engagement ring, which had a large diamond, in his truck for over a year.
Where did Neil Orne propose to Karen Higbee?
Orne proposed to Karen at Center Hill Lake, where he had gathered a group of friends. He told them he planned to take a pontoon boat onto the lake to propose to Higbee, who was somewhat unaware of the plan. During the proposal, Orne presented the ring, told her she was the strongest woman he had ever known, expressed his love, and asked her to marry him.
Was Neil Orne married before?
Neil Orne was previously married to Heather Orne, a morning news anchor at WKRN News 2. The couple had two daughters together. Their first child, Carly, was born on 7 March 2007. Three years later, in 2010, Heather gave birth to their second daughter. Despite their years together and raising two children, Neil and Heather eventually ended their marriage.
Source: Twitter
Did Heather Orne remarry? Since their separation, no information indicates that Heather Orne has remarried.
FAQs about Neil Orne's wife
- Are Neil and Heather Orne still married? Neil and Heather Orne are not married.
- How many children does Neil Orne have? Neil Orne has two children. Both are daughters from his previous marriage to Heather Orne.
- Why did Neil Orne leave? Neil Orne left his on-air role at News 2 to pursue new opportunities outside the studio.
- When did Neil Orne and Karen Higbee get married? Neil Orne and Karen Higbee got married in 2014 in a small, private ceremony outside their home state.
- Did Heather Orne remarry after her divorce from Neil Orne? There is no information indicating that Heather Orne has remarried since her separation from Neil Orne.
- Where did Neil Orne propose to Karen Higbee? Neil Orne proposed to Karen Higbee at Center Hill Lake during a pontoon boat outing with friends.
- Did Karen Higbee have children with Neil Orne? Karen Higbee did not have any children with Neil Orne.
Final word
While many came to know Karen Higbee as Neil Orne's wife, her journey reveals a story that goes well beyond her brief marriage to the respected News 2 anchor. A talented journalist and media professional, Karen built a solid career in broadcasting before transitioning into public relations. She has repeatedly proven her capabilities from her early days as a news producer at WKRN-TV to her current role at DVL Seigenthaler.
Tuko.co.ke also published an article about Roger Goodell's wife, Jane Skinner, a former Fox News anchor who made a name for herself long before becoming the spouse of the NFL Commissioner. The article offers a closer look into her journalism career, her impactful work after leaving television, and her role as a co-producer of notable NFL documentaries.
Want to know more about her life away from the cameras, her marriage to one of the most powerful men in sports, and their family life with twin daughters? Read the full story to discover Jane Skinner's journey from news anchor to influential NFL storyteller.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
