Journalist Ernie Anastos' family, including his wife, kids and grandkids, is in focus as he passed away from an ailment.
Legendary news anchor, Ernie Anastos has passed away at the age of 82. ABC7 New York reported that his wife, Kelly Anastos, shared that he died on the early morning of March 12, 2026, at Northern Westchester Hospital due to complications from pneumonia. Ernie was a beloved figure in New York broadcasting, with a career spanning over 40 years. His death left his family, fans and colleagues heartbroken, including his former long-time co-anchor, Rosanna Scotto, who expressed her grief following the news.
Ernie's fans took to the comments of his last Instagram post to share their condolences and remember his contribution to the media industry. Notably, he spent 11 years as an anchor starting in 1978 and reported on monumental events, including the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the tragic death of the 30 Emmy Award recipient, here's a look at his lesser-known family life, including his wife, Kelly, and their children.
Kelly Anastos (maiden name Kelly Coutros) has been her husband, Ernie Anastos', biggest support system for almost six decades, until his death. She was born in the mid-20th century (circa 1940s) in Asbury Park, New Jersey, according to the Glide Freeway. Kelly had a Greek-American upbringing and is reportedly quite religious as she is the daughter of Reverend Spyridon Coutros, the former pastor of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Her husband often accompanied her to churches and contributed to the Greek-American community in his own way.
Kelly largely stayed away from the spotlight, despite being the wife of a popular figure whose career demanded his constant presence in front of the camera. According to Glide Freeway, she kept her Instagram private and kept information regarding her public career, assets and net worth under wraps. The public got to know a bit about her in 1986, when she and her husband developed a family-oriented pilot program titled Families. She also accompanied Ernie in some of his events, marking their rare joint public appearances.
Ernie Anastos, the Hall-of-Fame television news anchor, and Kelly Anastos tied the knot on November 10, 1968. Their marriage was officiated by her father, Reverend Spyridon Coutros. Ernie and Kelly's wedding united two Greek-American lives, who stayed together for 57 long years until his passing in March 2026. The couple had distinct individual roles, with him serving as the breadwinner and Kelly managing the household. The couple was noted for their shared leadership in both private family matters and public philanthropic efforts.
Kelly and Ernie's decades-long career was often highlighted for its lack of public drama, despite the pressures of their newsroom schedules and the management of family-run business interests. Following their marriage, the couple was often seen together at high-profile social and philanthropic events in New York, including the Hellenic Times Gala and various community celebrations.
Ernie Anastos and Kelly Anastos are proud parents of two children, a daughter, Nina Anastos (born around 1970–1971) and a son, Phillip Anastos (born around 1973). Like her father, she pursued a career in broadcast journalism. She co-anchored the evening news at WTZA in Kingston, New York. She also assisted in the daily operations of the Anastos Media Group, which owned several radio stations in New York and New England. According to The Times, Nina usually covers the darker, tougher stories, but in a personal, up-close way. Regarding her interest in the genre, she was quoted by The New York Times as saying:
"I like sitting down with victims of domestic violence or drunk-driving accidents and telling their story. I like to hit people who are watching with something hard and make them stop and think."
Nina, who is currently 31 years old, married fellow news anchor, Gregory Floyd in October 15, 1994, when she was 24, and he was 35. According to The Times, Nina's husband was known as a diehard bachelor until he met her and fell in love. Regarding Nina's brother, Philip, there is no public record of his life, career, or even his marriage status. He maintained a private life, away from the attention that came from having public figures as family members. Philip's father, Ernie's death announcement statement included that he was survived by four grandchildren; however, it is not known whether the kids belong to Nina or Philip.
Ernie has often credited his successful career to his wife, Kelly and their kids, stating that his faith and family are his top priorities. The Anastos family are known to be closely-knit and deeply committed to their Greek-American heritage and family values. His death by pneumonia left them devastated.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to Ernie Anastos' family as they deal with his loss.
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