Michelle Gallardo
Before coming to ABC 7, Michelle spent three years as weather anchor/reporter at Univision Chicago. In all, Michelle has over 20 years of producing and reporting experience that includes local, national, and international news.
Michelle also has extensive experience in the area of documentary production. In 2004, following the Asian tsunami, she travelled to Thailand and Sri Lanka to cover its aftermath. Airing on The Weather Channel and National Geographic's Storm Stories series, the resulting shows earned "Best Documentary" awards at the 2005 Telly's.
Originally from Mexico, Michelle began her on-camera career as an entertainment reporter for Television Azteca in Mexico City. While there, from 1998 to 2000 she travelled to the U.S frequently, interviewing the top celebrities of the day.
Exciting as that was, Michelle jumped at the opportunity to freelance at CNN's Mexico City bureau. This was during the now historic 2000 presidential elections, in which Mexico's ruling party lost power for the first time in 70 years.
Some of Michelle's earliest experience however was gained through opportunities provided to her by Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, where she attended graduate School. Both in 1996, they include a brief stint as Washington correspondent for WMAQ radio, and as production assistant for GMTV (Good Morning Television) in London. It was upon returning to the U.S that Michelle began her career in earnest. She landed jobs in Washington DC as an associate producer and field producer for Hearst-Argyle TV and Conus Communications respectively.
Born in Mexico City, Michelle is a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico and is fully bilingual and bicultural. She was raised spending school years in Mexico City and summers with her American family in New York.
Michelle received her undergraduate degree in international relations from the Universidad de las Americas-Puebla, in Mexico. She also holds a Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
Michelle currently lives in downtown Chicago. She's a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete. She also enjoys scuba diving, theater, film, art, reading, cooking and travel.
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Twitter: @mlgallardo.
Michelle's Stories
Local dentist among 2 killed in separate Illinois skydiving accidents
Less than a week before the deadly accident, Dr. Noel Liu announced he had just gotten his skydiving license.
Puerto Rican museum staff on 'high alert' after DHS agents visited ahead of Chicago festival
Puerto Rican museum staff said the federal agents were looking at entry and exit points for events that may draw undocumented individuals. A Humboldt Park block party has now been postponed over fears of immigration raids.
Children severely injured in crash; lawsuit says Bedford Park police 'failed' to detain suspect
Surveillance video shows the officers chatting after giving the suspect a chance to smoke. He then drives off in a police squad car.
Chicago shootings: At least 55 people shot, 8 fatally, in 4th of July weekend gun violence, CPD says
At least 55 people have been shot, eight fatally, in gun violence across the city so far this Fourth of July weekend, Chicago police said.
Woman charged after her 3 children stabbed, 1 fatally, before Logan Square house fire, police say
A Chicago woman is now facing charges after her 4-year-old son was killed and two other children were injured in a stabbing and arson fire on the Northwest Side, police said.
18 shot, at least 4 killed in River North mass shooting, Chicago police say
Police are still looking for multiple shooters after a mass shooting in Chicago's River North neighborhood left four people dead and 14 wounded.
Blue Island shutting down embattled mobile home park, residents don't know what's next
Dozens of residents in south suburban Blue Island could soon be without homes.
Boy, 5, fighting for his life after alleged Austin arson attack kills mom: 'He is in so much pain'
The victims' loved ones held a vigil on Monday, and a $5,000 reward is being offered for information in connection with the deadly West Side fire.
Man killed in stabbing at Navy Pier, suspect seriously wounded, Chicago police say
A man was killed in a stabbing Sunday evening at Navy Pier, Chicago police said. The suspect was seriously wounded in the fight.
8-year-old girl wounded in South Side shooting, Chicago police say
An 8-year-old girl was injured in a shooting while inside of a vehicle on the South Side Tuesday night, Chicago police said.