Debbye Turner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Debbye Turner (born September 19, 1965 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an American veterinarian, talk show host, and former beauty queen. Turner was Miss America 1990.
Turner, who was raised in Arkansas, was first runner-up in the Miss Black Teenage World pageant in 1981. In 1989 she won the Miss Missouri 1989 title and then the Miss America 1990 title. She was the third African-American Miss America and the second African-American woman to win the title during the national pageant.
Turner completed her bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Arkansas State University in 1991 and next completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She first pursued veterinary medicine before deciding to go into television.
Turner's first hosting job came at St. Louis' NBC affiliate KSDK, and a show called Show Me St. Louis in 1995. Six years later, Turner joined CBS News as a reporter and contributor for The Early Show, a job that she has held since. Debbye is currently a rotating anchor on the CBS Morning News while CBS searches for a replacement for former anchor Susan McGinnis.
Turner is an accomplished singer, pianist, percussionist, and marimba player, the latter of which she performed '"Flight of the Bumblebee" on during the talent competition at Miss America. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Debbye Turner's older sister, Suzette Turner, is married to Houston megachurch pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell.
[edit] External links
- Her biography at The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture
- Her official website
| Preceded by Gretchen Carlson |
Miss America 1990 |
Succeeded by Marjorie Vincent |
