Gina Gaston Elie grew up in Santa Barbara California, and graduated from the University of Southern California, double majoring in Broadcast Journalism and Communications and minoring in International Relations.
Gina started her television news career in Tyler, Texas. She then worked in Pennsylvania, and Florida before coming to KTRK in 1992. She anchored Eyewitness News in the morning from 1992 to 1999. In 1999 Gina joined MSNBC, co-hosting “HomePage,” and filling in as a news anchor on Weekend Today. She reported nationally for NBC News on the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. In 2001, she returned to KTRK and now anchors Channel 13’s main evening newscasts. She has won two Emmy Awards, and two Gracie Allen awards.
As a reporter in 1994 covering the Rockets’ first championship series, Gina met her husband, former Houston Rocket and three-time NBA champion, Mario Elie. The pair married in 2000 and had triplets in 2003.
Gina has supported a variety of local charities. She joined the board of the Children’s Museum of Houston in 2008, has chaired or co-chaired Awty International School’s gala, Easter Seals “Hats Off to Mothers” Luncheon, The Women’s Fund “Rockin’ Resiliency” Luncheon, and March of Dimes/Woman’s Hospital “Labor Day” Luncheon. Mr. and Mrs. Elie have also served as ambassadors for the American Heart Association, and as honorary chairs for the American Diabetes Association gala. In 2016, Gina and her daughter Lauren and Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and her daughter Jordan, launched “Flower Power,” a non-profit that salvages flowers from special events and gives them to veteran’s organizations, shelters, public servants, and seniors. Gina has also been a long-time supporter of Making It Better, Child Advocates, the Children’s Assessment Center, and American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women.” She is a member of Missouri City Links.
Gina has been named: “Best Anchor” by the Houston Press (twice), “Best Dressed” Hall of Fame by Houston Chronicle/March of Dimes, “25 Most Beautiful People” by H Texas Magazine, “Woman on the Move” by Texas Executive Women, and “Woman of Distinction” by CCFA.