Sherry Margolis wiped away tears as she delivered her final newscast on June 30, 2020, ending an extraordinary 35-year career at WJBK Fox 2 Detroit. The beloved American television news anchor and reporter had become a trusted voice in millions of Michigan homes, earning seven Emmy awards and establishing herself as one of Detroit’s most respected media personalities.
Her retirement marked the conclusion of one of the longest tenures by any Detroit news anchor in modern broadcasting history. From Buffalo, New York origins to Detroit media icon, Sherry Margolis built a career defined by community connection, professional excellence, and personal resilience through triumph and tragedy.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sherry Margolis |
| Nationality | American |
| Gender | Female |
| Birthplace | Buffalo, New York, United States |
| Occupation | Former Television News Anchor, Reporter, Television Journalist |
| Active Years | 1984 – 2020 |
| Notable For | 35-year career at WJBK Fox 2 Detroit; 7 Emmy and 2 Edward R. Murrow awards |
| Children | Three daughters (Jordan Zaslow, Alexandra Zaslow, Eden Zaslow) |
| Spouse | Jeffrey Zaslow (married 1987, deceased 2012) |
| Education | State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A. English, cum laude); Graduate studies in Communication |
| Key Affiliations | WJBK Fox 2 Detroit, Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Gleaners Food Bank, Alzheimer’s Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association |
How Did Sherry Margolis Begin Her Broadcasting Career?
Sherry Margolis discovered her media calling while attending South High School in Buffalo, New York. She served as editor of the school newspaper Billboard and wrote columns for the Amherst Bee. Her comfort with public performance emerged through school theatrical productions and singing with the Choraleers.
Her academic foundation at the State University of New York at Buffalo proved instrumental. Sherry Margolis graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in English and pursued graduate studies in Communication, working as a teaching assistant.
Buffalo television provided her first professional experience. She hosted and produced “The Jelly Roll Review,” a children’s program at WUTV, before joining WKBW-TV Channel 7 and WKBW-AM radio as a reporter and anchor. These Buffalo powerhouses gave her crucial experience in a competitive media market.
The career-defining moment arrived in September 1984 when Sherry Margolis joined WJBK Fox 2 Detroit. Detroit ranked as America’s seventh-largest media market, representing a significant advancement that would shape her entire professional identity.
What Made Sherry Margolis Stand Out at Fox 2 Detroit?
Award-Winning Excellence in Television Journalism
Sherry Margolis earned seven Emmy awards during her Detroit career, including two specifically for Best News Anchor. Her two Edward R. Murrow awards came specifically from her documentary “Tribute to Our Troops,” which honored military service members and also received recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists, Associated Press, and Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
The University of Michigan presented her with its inaugural Community Involvement Award in 2002 for investigative reporting on proposed government changes threatening special education programs in Michigan schools. In 2019, the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame inducted her, acknowledging her contributions to the broadcast journalism industry.
Community Leadership Beyond the Newsroom
Sherry Margolis distinguished herself through extensive community involvement with organizations including Gleaners Food Bank, the Alzheimer’s Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Asthma and Allergy Foundation. She hosted Detroit’s broadcast of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon for many years.
Her reporting consistently highlighted stories of human resilience. Following personal loss, she developed “Still Standing,” a special segment profiling individuals who overcame significant hardships, reflecting her own experience with adversity.
Who Was Jeffrey Zaslow and How Did His Death Impact Sherry Margolis?
Sherry Margolis married Jeffrey Zaslow in 1987, connecting her life to one of America’s most accomplished journalists. Jeffrey Zaslow worked as a Wall Street Journal columnist and achieved bestselling author status, most notably co-writing “The Last Lecture” with Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch. The book spent over 110 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and sold more than five million copies.
Their marriage produced three daughters: Jordan Zaslow, Alexandra Zaslow, and Eden Zaslow. The family resided in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where Sherry Margolis balanced demanding career responsibilities with family life.
Tragedy struck on February 10, 2012, when Jeffrey Zaslow died at age 53 in a car crash in northern Michigan. He was returning from a book promotion tour for “The Magic Room” when he lost control of his vehicle on a snow-covered road and collided with a truck.
Sherry Margolis demonstrated remarkable resilience following this devastating loss. She returned to Fox 2 Detroit just three weeks later, explaining she needed to feel normal again. Her public handling of grief inspired countless Detroit viewers who had welcomed her into their homes for decades.
Why Did Sherry Margolis Leave Fox 2?
Sherry Margolis announced her retirement from WJBK Fox 2 Detroit on June 24, 2020, during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic period. She had originally planned to retire at year’s end but accelerated her timeline. “It just felt like the right time,” she explained to The Detroit News.
Her final broadcast occurred on June 30, 2020, concluding her 35-year career at the station. Due to social distancing requirements, many farewell moments happened remotely, with colleagues participating via video calls rather than gathering in the studio.
The emotional farewell featured tributes from longtime colleagues and recorded messages from her three daughters. Sherry Margolis expressed one notable regret: never completing her graduate degree and never learning piano – both goals she planned to pursue in retirement.
Her retirement farewell became a defining moment for Detroit television, with colleagues describing it as the end of an era. The broadcast featured nostalgic clips of her hairstyles through the decades and heartfelt testimonials from viewers who had invited her into their homes for 35 years. Fellow anchor Huel Perkins told her, “Thank you for being an example of the kind of human being we should all be.”
What Is Sherry Margolis Doing Now?
Since leaving WJBK Fox 2 Detroit, Sherry Margolis has focused on personal projects and family time while remaining in Michigan. Despite harsh winters that pale compared to her snowy Buffalo childhood, she expressed deep attachment to Detroit and chose to stay in the community she served for over three decades.
Current activities and future plans include:
- Writing a book, likely focusing on non-fiction themes related to her journalism experience
- Learning to play piano to fulfill a lifelong goal
- Spending increased time with her three adult daughters
- Visiting her mother in Buffalo more frequently
- Considering consulting opportunities within journalism and media, potentially mentoring young broadcasters
- Exploring speaking engagements related to broadcast journalism and community leadership
While maintaining privacy about specific professional commitments, Sherry Margolis has indicated openness to sharing her decades of media experience through advisory roles that allow her to influence the next generation of journalists without the demands of daily broadcasting.
As a member of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, she continues community involvement while maintaining a lower public profile than during her broadcasting years. Her connection to Detroit’s Jewish community extended throughout her career, with The Detroit Jewish News noting her as a prominent figure who balanced professional excellence with cultural heritage and community service. Regarding whether Sherry Margolis remarried, public records show no subsequent marriage following Jeffrey Zaslow’s death in 2012.
How Old Is Sherry Margolis?
Sherry Margolis’s exact age remains private, as she has not publicly disclosed her birth date. Based on her career timeline – graduating from SUNY Buffalo and beginning professional broadcasting in the early 1980s – media industry observers estimate she was likely born in the late 1950s or early 1960s, making her approximately in her early 60s as of 2025.
Sherry Margolis Net Worth and Financial Standing
Sherry Margolis’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. However, considering her 35-year tenure at a major market television station, multiple Emmy awards, and senior anchor position, industry analysts estimate her career earnings supported a comfortable lifestyle. Television news anchors in major markets like Detroit typically earn substantial salaries, particularly those with her longevity and award recognition.
How Has Sherry Margolis Influenced Detroit Media?
Longevity in Competitive Television News Industry
Sherry Margolis’s 35-year career at a single television station represents extraordinary stability in broadcast journalism, an industry notorious for frequent personnel changes. Colleague Huel Perkins observed that “everybody respects her and looks up to her as an example of how we should all conduct our lives.”
Professional Standards and Mentorship
Fox 2 reporter Robin Murdoch credited Sherry Margolis with improving her journalism skills, describing her as someone who “immediately makes you feel like part of her family.” These testimonials reflect her influence on younger journalists entering the competitive Detroit media market.
Community Trust and Integrity
Colleagues consistently praised her integrity and grace throughout her career. During her retirement farewell, anchor Huel Perkins said, “Thank you for being a model of integrity and grace, courage, kindness and compassion.” This reputation for trustworthiness proved crucial during major news events affecting the Detroit community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sherry Margolis
Q: What is Sherry Margolis primarily known for? A: Sherry Margolis is primarily known for her 35-year career as a news anchor and reporter at WJBK Fox 2 Detroit.
Q: When did Sherry Margolis retire from Fox 2 Detroit? A: Sherry Margolis retired from WJBK Fox 2 Detroit on June 30, 2020.
Q: Who was Sherry Margolis married to? A: Sherry Margolis was married to Jeffrey Zaslow, a renowned Wall Street Journal columnist and bestselling author who died in a 2012 car crash.
Q: Did Sherry Margolis remarry after Jeffrey Zaslow’s death? A: No public records indicate Sherry Margolis remarried following Jeffrey Zaslow’s death in 2012.
Q: How many daughters does Sherry Margolis have? A: Sherry Margolis has three daughters: Jordan Zaslow, Alexandra Zaslow, and Eden Zaslow.
Q: What awards has Sherry Margolis received? A: Sherry Margolis has received 7 Emmy awards and 2 Edward R. Murrow awards during her broadcasting career.
Q: Where did Sherry Margolis begin her broadcasting career? A: Sherry Margolis began her broadcasting career in Buffalo, New York, before moving to Detroit in 1984.
The Enduring Legacy of a Detroit Media Icon
Sherry Margolis represents excellence in American broadcast journalism, demonstrating how media personalities can serve communities through authentic connection and professional integrity. Her career spans nearly four decades of significant changes in television news, from analog broadcasting to digital transformation.
Her influence extends beyond ratings and industry recognition. Sherry Margolis showed viewers that news anchors could serve as community advocates, neighbors, and sources of inspiration during difficult times.
“Still Standing”: A segment showcasing resilience in the face of adversity, born from Sherry Margolis’s own experience with personal loss and a testament to her empathetic approach to journalism. This special series profiled individuals who overcame significant hardships, reflecting her commitment to highlighting human strength and recovery in the Detroit community.
Her extensive community involvement proved that broadcast journalism could create meaningful impact beyond daily news delivery.
The emotional response to her retirement farewell revealed the deep connection she forged with Detroit audiences across multiple generations. In an era of declining media trust and rapid technological change, Sherry Margolis maintained credibility through consistency, compassion, and unwavering professional standards.
Her WJBK Fox 2 Detroit career establishes a benchmark for aspiring broadcast journalists, proving that longevity and respect in television news remain achievable through dedication to craft and community service. As she pursues new chapters including potential book writing and piano lessons, Sherry Margolis leaves behind a legacy that will influence Detroit journalism for years to come.
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Sources: Fox 2 Detroit, The Detroit News, Detroit Jewish News, Wall Street Journal archives, Carnegie Mellon University
