Maribel Aber: Bio, Age, Husband, CNN, Family, Height, Ethnicity, Salary & Net Worth

Maribel Aber is a well-known journalist who works as a business correspondent at CNN. She is famous for explaining money, business, and financial news in a simple way. Many people are curious about her life, including her age, family, and career journey.

In this guide, you will learn everything about Maribel Aber, including her husband, height, ethnicity, salary, and net worth. The information is written in easy and short sentences so you can understand it quickly and clearly.

Maribel Aber — Quick Facts at a Glance

Category	Details
Full Birth Name	Maribel Alacbay O’Brien
Professional Name	Maribel Aber
Date of Birth	November 28, 1973
Place of Birth	Virginia, United States
Age	51 Years Old (2025)
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Filipino / Asian-American
Zodiac Sign	Sagittarius
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Education	UVA (B.A.) + New York Law School (J.D.)
Husband	Robert E. Aber
Employer	CNN Newsource / HLN
Estimated Net Worth	$1 Million – $5 Million

When it comes to breaking down complex financial news into stories that everyday Americans can understand, few journalists do it better than Maribel Aber. As a CNN business correspondent and host of the popular digital series Money Matters with Maribel Aber, she has built a career at the crossroads of journalism, law, and finance — a combination that makes her one of the most credible voices in broadcast news today.

Maribel Aber Biography and Wiki

Maribel Aber, born Maribel Alacbay O’Brien, is a correspondent for CNN’s Money Matters.  She is best known for her work at CNN Newsource, where she covers personal finance, business news, and economic stories that directly impact families and consumers across the United States.

Before stepping into the limelight of broadcast journalism, Maribel built a remarkably diverse professional foundation — spanning securities regulation, corporate communications, and financial management at one of the world’s most recognized stock exchanges. That deep industry knowledge gives her reporting a rare authenticity that sets her apart from peers.

She joined CNN in February 2012 after previously working for PBS Wall Street Week as an anchor  Since then, she has become a recognizable face across CNN and HLN, regularly appearing on programs like Morning Express with Robin Meade and Weekend Express with Lynn Smith.

Maribel Aber Education

Maribel Aber’s academic journey is just as impressive as her professional one. She pursued two distinct areas of study that would prove invaluable to her career in financial journalism.

University of Virginia — Bachelor of Arts

Maribel holds a bachelor’s degree in foreign affairs with a minor in German from the University of Virginia.  This interdisciplinary foundation gave her a strong grasp of global economics, international relations, and cross-cultural communication — all of which translate directly into her work covering international markets and business trends.

New York Law School — Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Driven to deepen her expertise, she graduated from New York Law School with a J.D. degree in February 2003. Her legal training, particularly in securities regulation through her early work with FINRA, gave her an edge few business journalists possess. She can read financial regulation, interpret policy changes, and contextualize legal decisions in a way that is both accurate and accessible to a mass audience.

Key Takeaway: Maribel Aber holds a B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from New York Law School — a dual academic background that makes her one of the most credentialed business journalists at CNN.

Maribel Aber Age

Maribel Aber was born on November 28, 1973 , making her 51 years old as of 2025. Her birthday falls under the zodiac sign of Sagittarius — a sign associated with curiosity, honesty, and a love of exploration, traits that map remarkably well onto her career as an investigative business journalist. She was born and raised in Virginia, though she has long been a resident of New York City, where she is based for her CNN work.

Maribel Aber Filipino | Nationality and Ethnicity

Maribel Aber holds American nationality by birth. However, her ethnic background tells a richer story. Her birth name — Maribel Alacbay O’Brien — reflects a multicultural heritage that combines Filipino and Western roots.

Maribel’s father, CPO Armando P. Alacbay, was a US Navy veteran.  Her mother, Lourdes Fangonil Alacbay, also carried a distinctly Filipino surname. Both names point strongly to Filipino ancestry, and Maribel is widely recognized as having Filipino-American (Asian-American) ethnicity.

Although born in the USA, Aber holds Asian ethnicity because her parents are of Asian origin.  She has used Instagram to celebrate her family’s heritage, including publicly honoring her father on Veterans Day — a reflection of the pride she holds for her family’s cultural and service background.

Maribel Aber Height and Physical Appearance

Aber stands at an average height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 m) and weighs 58 kg.  She has dark brown eyes and black hair, features that complement her Filipino-American heritage. Her polished on-screen appearance has made her a recognizable presence on CNN and HLN broadcasts for well over a decade.

Physical Attribute	Measurement
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight	~58 kg (128 lbs)
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Body Measurements	Approx. 37-25-36 inches

Maribel Aber Mother | Parents and Family

Maribel Aber was raised in Virginia by parents who instilled in her the values of hard work, discipline, and public service. Her father, CPO Armando P. Alacbay, served in the United States Navy, and Maribel has spoken warmly about his dedication to the country through public social media tributes.

Aber’s mother was known as Lourdes Fangonil Alacbay. She passed away in July 2021; however, the cause of her death is not known.  Maribel took a brief leave from her CNN duties following her mother’s passing and publicly expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she received from fans and colleagues. She returned to work on August 5, 2021, posting a heartfelt tribute wearing yellow in dedication to her late mother.

She has a younger brother.   Beyond that, Maribel keeps details about her family life largely private, as befitting her reserved public persona.

Maribel Aber Husband

Aber resides in New York City. She is married to Robert E. Aber, former Senior Vice President and General Counsel to NASDAQ.  

Interestingly, Maribel and Robert’s relationship has deep roots in her NASDAQ career — a time when both were deeply active in the world of financial markets. Their shared professional world likely formed the foundation of a lasting personal bond. Maribel adopted the surname “Aber” after their marriage, which is how she is known professionally today.

Fast Fact: Both Maribel and her husband Robert E. Aber have significant ties to NASDAQ — she as a former Vice President and Chief of Staff, and he as former Senior VP and General Counsel. Their relationship represents a true convergence of finance and media.

The couple keeps the details of their private life — including the exact date of their wedding and information about children — away from public scrutiny, a boundary that is widely respected by the media community.

Maribel Aber Maiden Name

Maribel Aber’s maiden name is Maribel Alacbay O’Brien. The “Alacbay” portion reflects her Filipino paternal heritage through her father CPO Armando P. Alacbay, while “O’Brien” points to Western or Irish roots — suggesting a richly multicultural family background. 

Maribel Aber was born Maribel Alacbay O’Brien.   Upon marrying Robert E. Aber, she adopted the surname Aber, which she now uses both personally and professionally.

Maribel Aber Salary

As a senior business correspondent at one of the world’s most-watched news networks, Maribel Aber earns a competitive salary. Aber receives an annual salary of between $42,580 and $110,550.   Multiple sources cite the most frequently referenced figure at around $80,000 to $110,000 per year, though some estimates extend higher based on her senior standing and on-air visibility.

Salary Tier	Estimated Annual Range
Low End	$40,000 – $60,000
Mid Range (Correspondent)	$80,000 – $110,000
High Estimate	Up to $150,000
Most Cited Average	~$90,000 per year

Maribel Aber Net Worth

Aber’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million.   This figure reflects her long career in financial journalism, prior executive-level earnings at NASDAQ, and income from hosting and producing various digital and broadcast programs.

It is important to note that these estimates are based on publicly available data and industry benchmarks — exact figures have never been officially confirmed by Maribel herself. Given her nearly two-decade career spanning premium media and high-level financial services, a net worth in the multi-million dollar range is entirely credible.

Maribel Aber CNN | HLN Career

Maribel Aber’s broadcasting career is one of the most well-rounded in the business. Long before joining CNN, she was deeply embedded in the financial world — giving her journalism a credibility that pure reporters often cannot match.

Early Career — FINRA and NASDAQ

Aber started her journalism career at FINRA (previously known as the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.). In 2000, she joined NASDAQ serving as the associate director of global sales and member services. She was given a raise in 2001 and started serving as vice president of the NASDAQ MarketSite, home of the NASDAQ Opening Bell. In this role, she was in charge of running the seven-story tower as well as the broadcasting studio.  

During her time at NASDAQ, she became partners with CNN in “America Votes 2004” live from the NASDAQ MarketSite and arranged a partnership with Reuters Group Limited that combined the NASDAQ Tower and Reuters Sign properties to form the world’s largest outdoor digital display system, based in Times Square. 

Wall Street Week, Broadway Channel & More

After her NASDAQ tenure, Maribel transitioned into broadcast media. She worked at Wall Street Week where she served as a host and producer. She even served as a freelance host for MSN, AOL, and the syndicated educational television show, Brain Fuel. She also served as entertainment host, correspondent, and producer for The Broadway Channel, covering the Tony Awards and major red carpet events.

CNN and HLN — Money Matters

Maribel Aber is a business correspondent for CNN Newsource based at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York. CNN Newsource correspondent Maribel Aber reports on business, personal finance, and the economy — always focused on how it affects everyday Americans. 

She is the host of the digital series Money Matters with Maribel Aber and makes regular appearances on:

• HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade
• HLN’s Weekend Express with Lynn Smith
• On the Story with Lynn Smith
• HLN’s daily news program Michaela

Major Stories Covered

Maribel covered various global news updates like the China Market Crash in 2015, the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, and the Facebook IPO in 2012.  

Career Timeline

Year	Milestone
Late 1990s	Joined FINRA focusing on securities regulation
2000	NASDAQ Associate Director, Global Sales & Member Services
2001	Promoted to Chief of Staff for NASDAQ Vice Chairman; later VP of NASDAQ MarketSite
2003	Earned J.D. from New York Law School
2004	Partnered with CNN for America Votes 2004
2010–2012	Host & Producer, Wall Street Week (PBS); freelance host for AOL, MSN, Brain Fuel TV
Feb 2012	Joined CNN Newsource as Business Correspondent
2012–Present	Host of Money Matters with Maribel Aber; regular HLN appearances
Feb 2022	Underwent abdominal hysterectomy surgery; returned to work after recovery

Conclusion

Maribel Aber is far more than a television journalist — she is a legal scholar, a former NASDAQ executive, a financial authority, and a storyteller with an extraordinary ability to humanize complex economic topics. 

Born in Virginia with Filipino-American heritage, she built her career through relentless determination, earning degrees from two prestigious institutions and climbing to VP-level roles at one of the world’s most powerful financial exchanges before ever sitting in front of a camera.

FAQs

Who is Maribel Aber?

Maribel Aber is an American journalist and CNN Newsource business correspondent, best known as the host of Money Matters with Maribel Aber. She joined CNN in 2012 after prior roles at NASDAQ and PBS’s Wall Street Week.

How old is Maribel Aber?

Born on November 28, 1973, Maribel Aber is 51 years old as of 2025. Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius.

What is Maribel Aber’s maiden name?

Her birth name is Maribel Alacbay O’Brien. She adopted the surname “Aber” after marrying Robert E. Aber.

Is Maribel Aber Filipino?

Yes. Maribel has Filipino heritage through both her parents — her father CPO Armando P. Alacbay was a US Navy veteran of Filipino descent, and her mother Lourdes Fangonil Alacbay also carried a Filipino surname.

Who is Maribel Aber’s husband?

She is married to Robert E. Aber, former Senior Vice President and General Counsel of NASDAQ. The couple resides in New York City.

What is Maribel Aber’s height?

Maribel Aber stands at 5 feet 8 inches tall (approximately 1.73 meters).

What is Maribel Aber’s net worth?

Her estimated net worth is between $1 million and $5 million, accumulated through her career in financial journalism and prior corporate roles at NASDAQ.

What is Maribel Aber’s salary at CNN?

Her estimated annual salary ranges from $40,000 to $150,000, with most sources citing figures around $80,000–$110,000 per year.

Where did Maribel Aber go to school?

She earned a B.A. in Foreign Affairs (minor in German) from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from New York Law School in 2003.

What happened to Maribel Aber’s mother?

Her mother, Lourdes Fangonil Alacbay, passed away on July 27, 2021. The cause of death was not publicly disclosed.  

Did Maribel Aber have surgery?

Yes. Aber underwent a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the womb, in February 2022. She underwent the procedure because she had several fibroids (tumors) in her uterus.   

What shows does Maribel Aber appear on?

She hosts Money Matters with Maribel Aber and regularly appears on HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade, Weekend Express with Lynn Smith, and On the Story with Lynn Smith.