Joan Lunden has reached American icon status. As an award-winning television journalist, bestselling New York Times author, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, wife, and mother of seven, including two sets of twins, she has been center stage for four decades.
A vocal advocate of women’s issues and parenting, one of Lunden’s chief concerns is helping women to make their life happier, healthier, and better. Her myriad activities from healthcare to skincare, to safety, includes the founding of Camp Revielle a retreat for women of all ages to take time-out, renew their spirit and focus on fitness and health.
A go-to-girl, Lunden has launched Joan Lunden Home for the multi-tasking consumer who wants easy, stylish solutions with an eye toward luxury at affordable prices. A perfect outlet for Lunden’s love of home decorating she combined her insider’s knowledge of royal palaces and presidential residencies with the exoticism of extensive travels and innate style. Joan Lunden Home made a smashing debut on the cable channel QVC-TV in mid-May.
Taking a moment from her daunting schedule, Lunden spoke to Woman Around Town for a lively look into her philosophy that so obviously keeps her moving toward new endeavors.
WAT: The phrase “the woman who has it all” appears to be coined for you given all your stunning accomplishments. Who were your early influences growing up in Fair Oaks, California?
JL: My mom Gladyce Blunden was a real go-getter, always involved who infused me with a “can do” attitude and drive. She always used to say the word “impossible” isn’t in our vocabulary. My dad also influenced me greatly—he was a doctor, a family physician. I remember in my younger years, everywhere we would go, people would stop us and say, “You brought our babies into the world and saved the lives of our family members.” I was taught early on that each of us needs to make a difference in this world—however we find to do that.
WAT: Tell us about your early career. How did you get from KCRA-TV and Radio in Sacramento to land at WABC-TV Eyewitness News in New York?
JL: A competing station in Sacramento hired a news-consulting firm to try to boost their own ratings. At the time, my newscast was top rated in town. So, the answer to that affiliate was to get Joan Lunden a job in some other town. They sent my tapes around the country and I ended up on New York. It was like having an agent you didn’t have to pay for.
WAT: You married for the first time in 1978 and started a family. Was it a conscious decision to be a working mother? Or, did it evolve naturally without conflict?
JL: The day I got the call from my agent telling me I had gotten the job as co-host of GMA (Good Morning America), I also got another call 30 minutes [later] from my gynecologist saying I was pregnant with my first child. Therefore I never made a conscious decision to be a working mother. It evolved naturally. It never occurred to me that I wouldn’t have a career.
WAT: You traveled a great deal and kept grueling hours as an anchor and on other endeavors that required your attention. How did you balance family life with your first husband and three children, and then at age 50 with a second family that includes two sets of twins?
JL: I’ve learned to be an incredibly organized person. Always been a big list-maker. I plan out my year in advance—writing down every important school event and dance recital so I never missed any of those. I always let my bosses know that I would give 150 percent as long as I never missed an important occasion in my child’s life. I’ve held strong to honoring those priorities. Every woman knows it’s a juggling act and you do the best you can.
WAT: Judging from some of your job-related feats like climbing Alaska’s famed Mendenhall Glacier to parapented off a 2000 ft.mountain, risk comes easily. Is risk-taking critical to success?
JL: Yes, I don’t think anyone reaches the pinnacles of success without taking risks. Highly successful people see opportunity where others see risk. My mom taught me from a young age, in her words, “broaden your horizons,” and to believe that I can do just about anything. Perhaps due to my career, I’ve had an incredible number of opportunities and my motto is, whenever you’re asked to do something new, just say yes…and then figure out how to do it! By having the ability and courage to say yes to things in life, that’s how you build an exciting and fulfilling life.
WAT: Joan Lunden Home is a new venture.Why go into the home furnishings arena now? What makes the Joan Lunden Home special?
JL: First and foremost, I am a women’s advocate. Whether it’s in the books that I write, the speeches I give, or my products, I am always looking for ways to make the lives of women better. And, of course, over the years, I have interviewed many experts in decorating and design. But, it’s more than that. There’s another side to Joan Lunden that people don’t know. I love to entertain and decorate my home. We have a huge extended family and our house is the center for all events.
Joan Lunden Home combines my advocacy with my personal passion to create a trusted brand. I’ve also gotten to see places that most people do not—the inside of the private residence of the White House to the homes of superstars and world leaders. This is a way for me to share that with peoples everywhere.
WAT: You have three grown daughters. How different are they from you at the same age in making decisions on family/work? Do you advise them?
JL: My grown daughters are all pursuing their careers and they tell me that I am an important role model for them. I am always astounded as I watch them and see how similar they are to me and I am very proud of how they have developed into young women. Like me, they have a desire to follow their passions, make a difference in this world and they also have a strong sense of family. I speak with them daily and they seek my advice regularly.
WAT: You have worn many hats, succeeded in all, anything you want to conquer?
JL: We have many plans for expansion of Joan Lunden Home. This Fall we will be adding collections of bath towels and mats, tabletops as well as throws and pillows. It’s an exciting adventure creating a brand and to me there are no limits. That’s what keeps life exciting!
