Elena LaQuatra is an American news anchor and journalist best known for her work with WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh. She has built a respected broadcasting career while also becoming an inspiring figure because of her journey with hearing loss. LaQuatra lost her hearing in both ears after bacterial meningitis at the age of four and later received a cochlear implant. She earned a degree in Broadcast Reporting from Point Park University before beginning her television career. In addition to journalism, she gained recognition as Miss Pennsylvania USA in 2016. Today, she continues to work in television news while supporting hearing loss advocacy, community causes, and nonprofit organizations. Her professional journey has made her a notable Pittsburgh journalist.
Who Is Elena LaQuatra?
Elena LaQuatra is a Pittsburgh-based American journalist and television anchor. She is best known for her long-running association with WTAE, also known as Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
She originally joined WTAE in 2015 as a digital content creator for the station’s 4 the 412 project. After spending time reporting and anchoring at a television station in Erie, she returned to WTAE in 2018 as a general assignment reporter.
Her career eventually expanded into traffic reporting and anchoring. In 2026, Point Park University reported that she moved into the station’s morning anchor role alongside Janelle Hall.
Early Life and Background
LaQuatra grew up in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and attended Mt. Lebanon High School. Her early life was significantly shaped by her experience with hearing loss, but she continued to pursue education, communication and broadcasting.
She later attended Point Park University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Reporting in 2014. During college, she gained practical experience and secured internships with Pittsburgh television stations.
Her educational background helped prepare her for a career that requires strong communication skills, live reporting and the ability to work in a fast-paced newsroom.
How Old Is She?
According to several biographical sources, LaQuatra was born on January 27, 1992, making her 34 years old in 2026. WTAE reported that she was 23 when she won Miss Pennsylvania USA in December 2015, which is consistent with the reported birth year.
Because her official WTAE biography does not currently list her exact birth date, January 27, 1992 is best treated as a reported biographical detail rather than an official station-confirmed fact.
Height and Appearance
A talent-agency profile lists her height as 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm).
However, her official WTAE biography does not list her height. Therefore, readers should regard 5 feet 7 inches as a published agency measurement rather than an independently confirmed personal statistic.
Career at WTAE
Her relationship with WTAE has developed over several stages. She first joined the station in 2015 as a digital content creator for 4 the 412. She then left Pittsburgh for a television position in Erie, where she worked as a reporter and anchor.
In 2018, she returned to WTAE as a general assignment reporter. She later began filling in at the anchor desk and became a morning traffic anchor. She was subsequently promoted to morning traffic and noon news anchor.
In early 2026, following Michelle Wright’s retirement announcement, Point Park University reported that LaQuatra was promoted to the morning anchor position alongside Janelle Hall for the weekday 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. newscasts.
WTAE’s current news-team page also lists her among the station’s anchors as a Morning Anchor.
Salary and Earnings
The exact salary of the WTAE anchor has not been publicly confirmed by WTAE or LaQuatra. Some entertainment and biography websites publish estimated figures, but these numbers are not supported by an official salary disclosure.
For that reason, it would be misleading to state a specific annual salary as fact. Her earnings likely reflect her experience, responsibilities, market and position within Pittsburgh television news, but the precise figure remains private.
Is She Deaf?
Yes. LaQuatra has publicly discussed being deaf in both ears since childhood.
According to WTAE, she lost 100% of her hearing in both ears at the age of four after contracting bacterial meningitis. She later received a cochlear implant and spent years developing her listening and spoken-language skills.
Her story has become an important part of her public profile because she has built a successful broadcasting career despite profound hearing loss.
Her Cochlear Implant and Hearing Journey
LaQuatra’s hearing journey began after bacterial meningitis caused profound hearing loss when she was four. She subsequently received a cochlear implant and underwent extensive rehabilitation.
In 2016, WTAE reported on new cochlear-implant technology that helped her hear more clearly, particularly in environments with background noise. At the time, she explained that noisy surroundings could be especially challenging and that she relied on lip-reading skills as well.
Her experience has also influenced her community work. She has served as an advocate for people living with disabilities, particularly those affected by hearing loss.
Miss Pennsylvania USA Journey
LaQuatra’s accomplishments extend beyond journalism. She entered pageants as a teenager and eventually won the Miss Pennsylvania USA 2016 title.
WTAE reported that she won the Pennsylvania title in December 2015 at age 23 and then advanced toward the Miss USA competition.
Her pageant success brought additional attention to her story and helped her become known beyond the Pittsburgh television market. Her combination of broadcasting, pageantry and advocacy has remained an important part of her public career.
Husband and Family Life
LaQuatra has kept much of her personal life away from the spotlight, although some family information has been publicly shared through her university profile.
Point Park University identifies her husband as Jordan and says that she enjoys spending time with him and their daughter, Emelina. The profile also mentions her extended family and their chihuahuas.
Her family remains an important part of her life outside the newsroom, along with traveling and community involvement.
Does She Have a Baby?
Yes. Public information from Point Park University identifies LaQuatra as the mother of a daughter named Emelina.
Some online sources provide additional details about her daughter’s birth, but those details are not confirmed by the strongest sources available. Therefore, it is better not to publish an exact birth date or other private information unless it comes directly from LaQuatra or a reliable primary source.
Sister and Parents
Information about LaQuatra’s immediate family is relatively limited in reliable public sources. Her university profile mentions her large extended family, but it does not identify a sister by name.
Because several biography websites make conflicting claims about her family, it is safer not to identify a sister unless a reliable source confirms the information.
This approach also helps avoid adding personal details that have not been publicly verified.
Facebook and Social Media
LaQuatra has maintained a public presence online as part of her career in television, journalism and community advocacy. Social media allows viewers to follow her professional work, television appearances and public activities.
When linking to a Facebook page in an article, publishers should make sure the account is actually her official or verified profile rather than a fan-made or unofficial page.
Education
LaQuatra is an alumna of Point Park University, where she studied Broadcast Reporting and graduated in 2014.
Her university experience was particularly valuable because she was able to work with journalism professionals and gain practical experience while completing her degree. Point Park has highlighted her internships and early exposure to Pittsburgh’s television industry.
Her education ultimately provided a foundation for the broadcasting career she later developed at WTAE.
Community Work and Advocacy
Beyond television, LaQuatra has been involved in nonprofit and community activities. WTAE says she has served as a mistress of ceremonies for fundraising galas and as an ambassador for nonprofit organizations.
Point Park University also notes her work mentoring young women and advocating for people living with disabilities, particularly hearing loss. She has served on the board of the DePaul School for Hearing and Speech and the Eye and Ear Foundation.
In 2023, her former high school honored her with its Great Alumni Award for her journalism career and nonprofit involvement.
Net Worth
There is no reliable public financial disclosure that establishes LaQuatra’s exact net worth. Websites that publish specific net-worth figures generally provide estimates without showing verifiable financial records.
Therefore, an exact number should not be presented as confirmed. Her primary professional income comes from her career in television journalism, while her public work also includes hosting fundraising events and other professional activities.
What Makes Her Story Inspirational?
LaQuatra’s career is notable because she has succeeded in a profession built around listening and communication despite losing all hearing in both ears as a young child.
With cochlear-implant technology, rehabilitation, speech development and years of professional experience, she built a career in television news. Her journey from a child affected by meningitis to a pageant winner and television anchor has made her story especially meaningful to people interested in disability representation.
Her advocacy work also allows her to use her public platform to support others facing hearing loss and other disabilities.
Elena LaQuatra Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elena LaQuatra |
| Profession | News Anchor & Journalist |
| Known For | WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh |
| Date of Birth | January 27, 1992* |
| Age | 34 years (2026)* |
| Birthplace | Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Point Park University |
| Degree | Broadcast Reporting |
| Husband | Jordan |
| Daughter | Emelina |
| Hearing Loss | Lost hearing in both ears at age 4 |
| Cochlear Implant | Yes |
| Pageant Title | Miss Pennsylvania USA 2016 |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (reported by a talent agency)* |
| Current Employer | WTAE-TV |
| Current Role | Morning Anchor |
| Salary | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Conclusion
Elena LaQuatra has built a remarkable career in television while overcoming profound hearing loss that began in childhood. From receiving a cochlear implant and developing her speech and listening skills to graduating from Point Park University, winning Miss Pennsylvania USA and becoming a respected WTAE anchor, her journey has been defined by persistence and professional achievement.
Today, she continues to work in Pittsburgh television news and remains active in mentoring, nonprofit work and hearing-loss advocacy. Her story demonstrates how determination, education and the right support can help overcome significant challenges while pursuing ambitious professional goals.
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FAQs
Who is Elena LaQuatra’s husband?
Elena LaQuatra’s husband is Jordan. Public information from Point Park University confirms that she is married to Jordan and they have a daughter named Emelina.
How old is Elena LaQuatra?
Elena LaQuatra was born on January 27, 1992, so she is 34 years old in 2026.
How old is Elena in real life?
If you mean Elena LaQuatra, she is 34 in 2026. If you mean Elena Fisher from Uncharted, she is a fictional character, not a real person.
How old is Elena in Uncharted 4?
Elena Fisher is generally listed as around 30–32 years old in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
Who did Elena marry in Uncharted 3?
In Uncharted 3, Elena Fisher had married Nathan Drake sometime between Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3. They had separated by the start of the game but reconciled later.
