Siani Lee: Philadelphia News Anchor Biography & Tribute

Siani Lee (born Margaret Englett, October 8, 1962 – October 28, 2001) was an Emmy Award winning Korean American news anchor who became one of Philadelphia's most beloved broadcast journalists. She co-anchored KYW-TV's Eyewitness News 6 p.m. broadcast alongside Larry Kane and made history as the first Asian American to anchor in the Philadelphia market.

Early Life and Education

Siani Lee was born in South Korea and raised on military bases around the world, alongside her two brothers, Thomas and Patrick. She attended Denbigh High School and earned her bachelor's degree in mass media communications and journalism from Hampton University in 1985.

A Love of Music

Before broadcasting found her, Siani's first love was music. She had a beautiful singing voice, and she worked her way through college singing in Top 40 bands on the Peninsula before going on to form her own jazz band, which performed regionally to enthusiastic audiences. Her talent carried her all the way to New York's Carnegie Recital Hall, and she also performed with the Philadelphia Pops.

Broadcasting Career

Siani's career in broadcasting began in 1987, when she started at WTKR-TV in Norfolk as an associate producer. From there she moved on to Savannah's WTOC-TV, where she worked as a reporter, producer, and news anchor, and then to Baltimore's WMAR-TV. Her time in Washington, D.C. earned her the prestigious Dateline Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for her in-depth reporting on race relations.

It was in Philadelphia, though, where Siani truly became a household name. She spent six years anchoring at WCAU-TV before joining CBS3 in April of 1999, where she co-anchored the Eyewitness News 6 p.m. broadcast alongside Larry Kane. In 1997, her hard work earned her a Philadelphia area Emmy Award for her live coverage of the 1996 Olympic Torch Run. Of Siani, Larry Kane once said she set "the gold standard for work ethic" and never lost sight of the people she served or her purpose in broadcasting.

Community Involvement

Beyond the anchor desk, Siani poured her energy into her community. She served as President of the Philadelphia chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association, sat on the board of directors at MANNA, an organization that provided meals to people living with AIDS, and supported the Susan D. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Family mattered just as much to her. Even with a demanding schedule, she moved her mother to the Philadelphia area to be closer to her. Colleagues remembered her as hardworking and generous, someone always ready to help others and known for her sense of humor.

Her Lasting Popularity

Siani's popularity went well beyond the newsroom too. Her warmth as a broadcast personality inspired so many parents in the area that they began naming their newborn daughters after her, and over the years she received hundreds of letters and photos of baby girls named Siani, a name that took root as a small but lasting piece of the city's story.

Passing and Legacy

Siani Lee passed away on October 28, 2001, just twenty days after turning 39, following a car accident in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Her legacy in Philadelphia broadcasting endured well beyond her passing. She was posthumously inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame on Friday, November 20, 2009, a fitting tribute to a woman who broke barriers and touched so many lives, both on screen and off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Siani Lee?

Siani Lee was a Korean American television news anchor best known for co-anchoring KYW-TV's Eyewitness News 6 p.m. broadcast in Philadelphia alongside Larry Kane.

When did Siani Lee die?

Siani Lee died on October 28, 2001, in a car accident in Chester County, Pennsylvania, at age 39.

What stations did Siani Lee work for?

She worked at WTKR-TV in Norfolk, WTOC-TV in Savannah, WMAR-TV in Baltimore, WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, and CBS3 (KYW-TV) in Philadelphia.

Was Siani Lee the first Asian American news anchor in Philadelphia?

Yes, Siani Lee made history as the first Asian American to anchor a broadcast in the Philadelphia market.

Was Siani Lee inducted into a Hall of Fame?

Yes, she was posthumously inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame on November 20, 2009.