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
15-year-old boy shot as large crowd of teens seen in Streeterville, Chicago police say
Chicago police said a teen was shot in Streeterville Friday night, as large groups of teenagers were seen in the area. Mayor Brandon Johnson reacted to the violence while speaking at an event aimed at preventing "teen takeovers."
Boy, 2, dies after being put down for nap, family says in lawsuit against Calumet City daycare
A family is accusing a suburban daycare of negligence after they said their 2-year-old boy died after being put down a nap.
Human remains found inside car belonging to Karen Schepers, missing since 1983: Kane County coroner
Karen Schepers' brother, Gary Schepers, spoke with ABC7 over the phone after crews pulled her car from the Fox River four decades following her disappearance.
Couple found dead in apartment near Gage Park sports bar where man attacked server with knife
Ald. Jeylu Gutierrez, who represents the 14th Ward, said in a statement that the situation surrounds a "personal dispute" involving two brothers and one of their wives.
Postal workers rally downtown Chicago against reported plan to privatize USPS
Amidst rumors of job cuts and a potential merger of the United States Postal Service with the Commerce Department, thousands of postal workers rallied across the country this weekend, including in Chicago's Federal Plaza.
Elementary student found shot to death in North Lawndale identified by medical examiner
A South Side elementary student has been identified as the boy found shot to death on Monday.
13-year-old found shot to death in North Lawndale only after mother reported him missing
A 13-year-old elementary student was found dead only after his mother reported him missing. Nobody called 911 to report the shooting.
Storm rips off roof of 101-year-old Elgin church originally destroyed in 1920: 'We are hopeful'
Around 60 people were sleeping in the basement of Elgin's First United Methodist Church when strong storms hit Friday night, but no one was injured.
Highland Park shooting survivors who will testify at trial allowed to attend entirety of proceedings
A judge Thursday ruled in favor of prosecutors who sought to allow survivors of the 2022 Highland Park parade shooting, who are also testifying in the upcoming trial, to be in the courtroom throughout proceedings.
Early voting underway for Aurora mayoral primary election with 5 candidates in race
Five candidates are battling it out to make it into the final two. Among them is incumbent Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin.