Hollie Strano is an American meteorologist, podcast host, and mental health advocate who became a household name in Cleveland through her 22-year career at WKYC Channel 3. Born on December 3, 1972, in Lyndhurst, Ohio, she is 52 years old in 2025. Known for her warmth on TV and her Emmy-winning work on mental health awareness, Strano’s career faced a dramatic shift after a 2023 DUI crash, which led to her sobriety journey and later dismissal from WKYC in 2024.
Despite these challenges, she reinvented herself with her mental health podcast Abruptly Authentic and as a radio weather forecaster for Mix 94.1 in Canton and stations in Georgia and Alabama. Strano’s story reflects resilience, recovery, and a commitment to helping others.
Hollie Strano Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Hollie Strano |
| Date of Birth | December 3, 1972 |
| Age | 52 years (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Meteorologist, Podcast Host, Mental Health Advocate |
| Hometown | Lyndhurst, Ohio, USA |
| Current Residence | Highland Heights, Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Instagram ID | @holliesmiles |
Early Life
Hollie Strano grew up in a close-knit family in Lyndhurst, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. As a child, she loved performing and storytelling, often entertaining relatives at family gatherings. However, during her teenage years she began struggling with anxiety, which later led her to rely on alcohol as a coping mechanism.
A key memory from her childhood was sitting in her grandfather’s old chair reflecting on life—an image that would later inspire her podcast Abruptly Authentic. Her mother, Joni, encouraged her passion for communication and helped nurture her confidence. Growing up in Northeast Ohio shaped her strong bond with the community she later served on TV.
Education
Strano attended Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School in Ohio, where she showed talent in communication and performance. She earned her undergraduate degree from John Carroll University and then studied meteorological sciences at Mississippi State University, one of the leading programs for broadcast meteorology.
Her academic training earned her the National Weather Association (NWA) Seal of Approval, a respected credential for TV weather professionals. This education laid the foundation for her long and successful career in Cleveland television.
Family Details
| Relationship Status | Divorced (twice) |
| Children | Two – Jessica and Grady |
| Parents | Mother: Joni Strano; Father: name not disclosed |
| Siblings | Michael and Stephanie |
Hollie Strano is a devoted mother to her children, Jessica and Grady, who have been her greatest source of strength during personal and professional struggles. Her mother Joni often appeared alongside her in WKYC cooking segments, showing their close bond.
She has two siblings, Michael and Stephanie, but keeps most family details private. Hollie also shares her home with her dogs, Otis and Maya, who she considers part of her emotional support system.
Career
Hollie Strano’s career began in 2000 when she joined WKYC Channel 3 in Cleveland as a meteorologist. Over the next two decades, she became one of the most recognized media figures in Northeast Ohio, anchoring morning weather on 3News Today.
From 2019 to 2023, she hosted the Emmy-winning segment “You Are Not Alone”, which focused on mental health and anxiety awareness. Her candid discussions about her own struggles resonated with thousands of viewers.
In November 2023, Strano was involved in a Thanksgiving DUI crash, which became a turning point in her personal and professional life. She entered rehab, returned to WKYC in February 2024, but was later fired in July 2024. Hollie then filed a lawsuit against WKYC and parent company Tegna, claiming wrongful termination and discrimination based on her recovery journey.
In 2025, she launched her podcast and video series Abruptly Authentic, focusing on mental health, addiction recovery, and resilience. She also began delivering weather forecasts for Mix 94.1 in Canton, Ohio, and expanded her broadcasting work to radio stations in Georgia and Alabama.
Career Highlights
| Milestone | Details |
| 2000 | Joined WKYC Channel 3 as meteorologist |
| 2019 | Launched You Are Not Alone mental health series |
| 2023 | Involved in Thanksgiving DUI crash, pleaded guilty to OVI |
| 2024 | Returned to WKYC in February; fired in July |
| 2024 | Launched Abruptly Authentic podcast |
| 2025 | Joined Mix 94.1 Canton and expanded to Georgia/Alabama radio |
Net Worth
| Estimated Net Worth | Approx. $500,000 – $1 million (as of 2025) |
| Income Sources | Broadcasting, podcasting, speaking engagements |
Hollie Strano’s income previously came from her WKYC salary, but since 2024 she has built new revenue streams through her Abruptly Authentic podcast (available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts), speaking engagements, and her radio forecasting roles.
Controversies
Thanksgiving DUI Crash (2023):
In November 2023, Strano crashed her SUV while driving 70 mph in a 35 mph zone with a blood alcohol content of 0.244%—three times the legal limit. She pleaded guilty to OVI, received a one-year license suspension, and attended a driver intervention program. The incident drew heavy public attention but also marked the beginning of her sobriety journey.
WKYC Termination and Lawsuit (2024):
In July 2024, Hollie was dismissed from WKYC. She later filed a lawsuit against the station, its parent company Tegna, and General Manager Micki Byrnes, claiming her firing was tied to her posts about addiction recovery. The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, seeks over $25,000 in damages for emotional distress and harm to her reputation.
Also Read this: