Donna Bell Biography
Donna Bell is a renowned American Award-winning journalist working as a news director and a weekday morning news anchor at WJHG/WECP in Panama City, Florida. She joined the station in 1994, immediately after graduating from university, and has had a remarkable 20+ years of broadcast experience. She is a 1994 graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications.
Donna Bell Age
Bell was born in the United States but has managed to keep information regarding her date of birth away from the limelight. On her birthday, October 31, 2017, Bell posted a photo of herself with other crew members and captioned, “22 years ago today I married my husband. We met because of Hurricane Opal, and he’s been my rock through Hurricane Michael. His love and support kept me strong while I stayed at the station around the clock, directing our news team through this unbelievable disaster.” Judging from her appearance, she might be in her 50s.
Donna Bell Height / Measurements
Bell is of average body stature, standing approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, which is equivalent to 167.64 cm.
Donna Bell Husband / Children
Bell is married to her longtime partner, Dirk. The couple got married on December 7, 1996, and celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on December 7, 2018. She posted a photo of her family and captioned, “22 years ago today I married my husband. We met because of Hurricane Opal, and he’s been my rock through Hurricane Michael. His love and support kept me strong while I stayed at the station around the clock, directing our news team through this unbelievable disaster.” Together, they are proud parents to their two sons, Brody and Brock (graduated in July 2020).
On December 25, 2025, Bell posted a photo of her family (herself, her husband, and her two sons) on her Facebook account and captioned, “Merry Christmas from my family to yours! May your new year be filled with many blessings!
Donna Bell Cancer
Bell publicly shared in 2024 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. In August 2024, a mammogram found her cancer. Final pathology after her double mastectomy showed extensive DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ)with multiple micro-invasions of HER2-positive breast cancer, the same kind of aggressive breast cancer that took her mom’s life in 2013. On her surgery day, February 10, 2025, Bell posted a photo of herself on a hospital bed and captioned, “Today I’m having what I hope will be the final surgery in my breast cancer journey. I am so thankful I can have reconstruction, a healing surgery I’ve waited for since the bilateral mastectomy that removed my cancer last August.
Donna Bell Family / Relatives
Bell was born in the United States to her parents, retired Army Col. “Pete” Bell (father) and Mrs. Bell (mother). On Father’s Day, June 21, 2020, she posted a photo of herself and her dad on her Facebook account. She captioned, “Happy Father’s Day to my dad, Col. Bell! This is one of my favorite pictures with him from our trip to Ireland a few years ago. Even today, I still turn to this wonderful man for advice and guidance, and he always has my back. We never stop needing our dads! Her mom died on April 25, 2013, after suffering from breast cancer. She has a brother, even though his identity is not known.
Her grandmother, born in 1922, died in May 2020 (at age 98 years). Bell posted a photo of herself and her grandmother on May 4, 2020, on her Facebook account and captioned, “Tonight the stars seem to be shining brighter.. probably because my beautiful grandmother went to Heaven today. After 98 years, this amazing woman lived more than most. Wife of a World War II and Korean War Veteran, mother of an Army Colonel.”
Donna Bell Education
Bell attended the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, where she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication News, graduating in April 1994.
Donna Bell Career
Bell serves as a news director at WJHG/WECP, a position she has held since February 2014. In addition to her leadership duties, she anchors “NewsChannel 7 at 11 a.m.” As News Director, she oversees newsroom operations, recruits and mentors journalists, and ensures ethical and innovative reporting.
Since she began working at the station in 1994, her leadership has helped WJHG earn recognition as the nation’s top small-market station for its journalism, particularly in supporting Florida’s Panhandle during the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Additionally, the station has won over 100 awards, including the National Association of Broadcasters’ “Service to America” award and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence, the RTDNA’s Murrow Awards, the Associated Press awards, the Society of Professional Journalists awards, and the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists award. She also holds the American Cancer Society’s Hope award for her efforts in informing the community about breast cancer awareness.
Beyond the newsroom, Bell serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Florida’s College of Journalism, where she mentors future journalists. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists and is actively involved with the American Cancer Society. Off-screen, Bell enjoys travelling, spending time with her family, and watching a baseball game.
Donna Bell Salary
Bell receives an annual income ranging between $30,000 and $90,000.
Donna Bell Net Worth
Through Bell’s career as a journalist, she has been able to accumulate a net worth that ranges between $1 Million and $ 5 Million.
Donna Bell WJHG/WECP
Bell works with WJHG/WECP, where she serves alongside her fellow anchors, reporters, and meteorologists, such as;
- Allison Baker
- Jessica Foster
- Mia Hernandez
- Emmeline Ivy
- Barry Lowin
- Megan Kennedy
- Ryan Michaels
- Emmett Rice
- Scott Rossman
- Hayden Smith
Donna Bell Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Bell is active on his/her social media accounts. She has about 5.7K followers on her Facebook Page @Donna Bell, and around 130 followers on her Instagram account @dona_bell.