Natalie Barr, one of Australia’s most respected TV presenters, was born on March 19, 1968 (Age: 58 years old) in Bunbury, Western Australia.
She is best known for co-hosting the popular morning show Sunrise on Channel 7, where her warm personality and sharp journalism skills have won over audiences.
Before Sunrise, Natalie worked as a journalist in Australia and the U.S., covering major news events, including the O.J. Simpson case and natural disasters.
With a career spanning over 30 years, Natalie Barr has become a trusted name in Australian journalism, admired for her professionalism and dedication to news reporting.
In this wiki, you will see how Natalie built her incredible career. You will learn about her early life, family, achievements, and how she became a leading TV personality.
Let’s keep reading to explore Natalie Barr’s journey, including her net worth, husband, children, education, career highlights, height, facts, and more.
Natalie Barr Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Natalie Ann Barr |
| Profession | Journalist, News Presenter, Television Host |
| Age | 58 years old |
| Date of Birth | March 19, 1968 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Bunbury, Western Australia |
| Current Address | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Natalie Barr Husband and Children
Natalie Barr is happily married to Andrew Thompson, who works as a television commercial editor. The couple tied the knot on December 9, 1995, and have been together for many years.
Before marriage, they were flatmates and later fell in love. Their relationship has remained strong and private, away from much media attention.
Natalie and Andrew have two sons. Their first son, Lachlan Thompson, was born on September 26, 2001, and their second son, Hunter James Lancaster Thompson, was born on June 3, 2005. [1]
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | Andrew Thompson (Television Commercial Editor) |
| Children | Sons: Lachlan Thompson and Hunter James Lancaster Thompson |
Natalie Barr Family
Natalie Barr was born and raised in Bunbury, Western Australia. Her father, Jim Barr, sadly passed away in 2001 from a heart attack when Natalie was six months pregnant with her first child.
Her mother, Julie Barr, has mostly stayed out of the public eye, and not much information is available about her. Natalie also has a brother named Russell Barr.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Jim Barr Mother: Julie Barr |
| Siblings | Brother: Russell Barr |
Natalie Barr Education
Natalie Barr completed her schooling at Bunbury Catholic College in Western Australia, where she was an outstanding student and head girl in her final year. She then pursued her higher education at Curtin University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication.
| School | Bunbury Catholic College |
| Alma Mater | Curtin University |
| Highest Qualification | Degree in Journalism and Communication |
Natalie Barr Career
(Late 1980s – Early 1990s): Natalie Barr started her journalism career in Western Australia after completing her studies at Curtin University. Her first job was at the Wanneroo Times, a local newspaper, where she worked as a journalist, covering community news and local events. She learned the basics of reporting, interviewing people, and writing stories.
After working in print media, she transitioned to television and got a job at Golden West Network (GWN), a regional TV station in Western Australia.
At GWN, she worked as a reporter, covering various news topics from politics to crime and local events. This was her first experience with on-camera reporting, which helped her build confidence in broadcast journalism.
However, she wanted to grow her career and work on bigger news stories, so she decided to explore opportunities overseas.
Move to the United States (Early 1990s)
In the early 1990s, Natalie moved to Los Angeles, USA, to expand her career. In the US, she worked at major television stations, including:
- KABC-TV (A well-known news station in Los Angeles)
- KTLA-TV (A station that covers entertainment and breaking news)
- KCOP-TV (A local news channel in California)
Her job in the US focused on news writing, producing, and reporting. She became an expert at writing news scripts and organizing news stories for television. Because of her excellent writing skills, she won a Golden Mic Award, which is a major award given to journalists for outstanding writing and reporting.
One of the biggest moments of her US career was when she covered the O.J. Simpson car chase in 1994. This was a major news event where the former football star O.J. Simpson was chased by police on live television.
Millions of people watched the event unfold, and Natalie’s reporting was so well done that she was nominated for an Emmy Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the television industry.
Even though she had built a successful career in the US, she wanted to return home and work in Australian television. So, she returned to Australia in 1994 to continue her career.
Joining Seven News Sydney (1994)
After coming back to Australia, Natalie joined Seven News Sydney as a reporter. Seven News is one of the biggest news programs in Australia, covering national and international news. As a reporter, she covered important news stories across the country, including politics, crime, and major national events.
Over the years, she became one of the most trusted journalists at the network. She also worked as a news presenter, reading afternoon news bulletins. Her professional reporting and clear communication style made her a respected figure in the newsroom. [2]
News Presenter on Sunrise (2003)
In 2003, Natalie was given a huge opportunity – she was chosen as the news presenter for Sunrise, a popular morning show on Channel 7. Her role was to read the latest news headlines, updates, and breaking news during the show.
At Sunrise, she worked with David Koch (Kochie) and Melissa Doyle, delivering news in a way that was both professional and engaging. Since Sunrise is a morning news and entertainment show, her job was not only to report serious news but also to connect with the audience in a warm and friendly manner.
Co-Presenter of Seven Early News (July 2008)
In 2008, Natalie’s responsibilities increased when she was chosen as the co-presenter of Seven Early News, a news program that aired at 5:30 AM before Sunrise. She hosted this show alongside Mark Beretta, one of Seven Network’s experienced sports presenters. [3]
This job required her to wake up extremely early every morning and deliver the first news bulletin of the day. Right after presenting Seven Early News, she would then continue her duties on Sunrise.
This step in her career showed her dedication and hard work, as she was handling multiple responsibilities on national television.
Guest Appearance on Home and Away (April 16, 2018)
On April 16, 2018, Natalie made a cameo appearance on the famous Australian television show Home and Away. She played a news reporter covering a storyline about an explosion in the fictional town of Summer Bay.
Co-Host of Sunrise (March 14, 2021 – Present)
After 19 years as the news presenter of Sunrise, Natalie got her biggest promotion yet. In March 2021, she was chosen as the new co-host of Sunrise, replacing Samantha Armytage, who left the show.
Now, as the main host of Sunrise, her job is much bigger than before. Instead of just reading the news, she now:
- Leads interviews with politicians, celebrities, and experts
- Covers live news events both in Australia and overseas
- Engages in discussions about major social and political issues
- Travels to different locations for special reports
She now works alongside Matt Shirvington, who replaced Kochie in 2023. [4] Over the years, she has become one of Australia’s most respected and trusted TV hosts.
Even though she has been in the industry for more than 30 years, she still brings energy and passion to her job every morning. For a visual insight into Natalie Barr’s remarkable career, you might find this video informative:
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Details |
| 1994 | Golden Mic Award | Best Newscast Writing | Awarded for her outstanding writing skills in television news while working in Los Angeles. |
| 1994 | Los Angeles Area Emmy Award | News Coverage | Nominated for her reporting on the O.J. Simpson car chase while working at KCOP-TV. |
Controversies
Natalie Barr, a prominent Australian journalist and co-host of the morning show Sunrise, has encountered several controversies throughout her career. Notable instances include:
| Year | Controversy | Details |
| 2021 | Online Abuse & Trolling | Received death threats and abusive messages online, particularly after discussing anti-vaccination topics on Sunrise. [5] |
| 2024 | Housing Affordability Comment | Criticized for saying she was worried about her sons affording homes, despite her high salary. Viewers called her out of touch. [6] |
| 2023 | On-Air Disappearance | Left the Sunrise desk suddenly during a live show to catch a flight for an exclusive Olivia Newton-John interview. Viewers were confused. [7] |
| 2012 | Awkward Interview with Rihanna | The interview with Rihanna went viral due to its awkwardness, leading to discussions on celebrity interviews. [8] |
Natalie Barr Net Worth, Salary
Natalie Barr’s net worth is estimated between $1 million – $5 million, based on industry reports. Her annual salary is around $100k.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $1 million – $5 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | $100k per year |
Natalie Barr Height, Weight, & Physical Stats
Natalie Barr stands 173 cm (5 feet 8 inches) tall, with a healthy weight of 60 kg (132 lbs). She has brown hair and brown eyes, which add to her professional and elegant on-screen presence.
Her body measurements are 34-26-35, reflecting her fit and active lifestyle as a television presenter.
| Height | In centimeters: 173 cm In meters: 1.73 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 60 kg In lbs: 132 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 34-26-35 |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
Natalie Barr Instagram, X, and Facebook
 natalie_barr7 | |
| X |  @nactionofficial |
 Nat-Barr |
Interesting Facts About Natalie Barr
- Natalie Barr is an avid cook and enjoys preparing meals for her family.
- She has a cat named Flash, whom she considers part of the family.
- She is active on social media, particularly Instagram, where she shares personal and professional updates.
- Natalie Barr enjoys traveling and has expressed a desire to visit Greece with her husband.
- After a biopsy, doctors confirmed she had a small skin cancer, but thankfully, it was treatable without surgery. She described the spot as a tiny red mark that she initially didn’t think was serious.
More News Anchor From Australia
FAQs
What is Natalie Barr’s age?
Natalie Barr was born on March 19, 1968, making her 58 years old.
What is Natalie Barr’s net worth?
Estimates of Natalie Barr’s net worth vary, with figures ranging from $1 million – $5 million.
What is Natalie Barr’s height?
Natalie Barr stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall.
Does Natalie Barr wear hair extensions?
Yes, Natalie Barr has been open about using hair extensions for her on-screen appearances. In a behind-the-scenes video, she humorously removed her extensions, showcasing the realities of TV production
