If you pay attention to weather reports, there is no way you wouldn’t have come across Jim Cantore. He is almost ubiquitous. While he is an American meteorologist, he has also ventured into several engagements. However, one profession that has made him renowned is his weather reports. Fans say they enjoy how he breaks complex weather terms to the layman.
To be fair, it is rare to find anyone who speaks about weather events as simply as Jim Cantone. It is why he is much loved by people all over the world.
In this article, we will look at everything that relates to Jim, his life, his career, his son; Ben Cantore who has a special disorder, and where he is now. You will get all the details about both Jim and his steady growth in his career, here.
Some incidents made Jim a “cult hero.” For instance, on January 28, 2014, while live reporting for The Weather Channel, at the College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, a young student by the name Colin Marcello charged onto him in a way as if to hit him. Cantore was able to knee him, which scared the boy away.
That’s not the story. What made this video go viral with more than 2 million views on the internet was how Cantore continued his reportage without breaking his words. His flow of thoughts was still intact, he didn’t even appear as if anything just happened.
This level of professionalism is incredible. It was the manner of his response to the assault that blew people’s minds away.
Jim Cantore’s Videos that Increased His Popularity
This is just one of the many incidents that brought Cantore into the limelight. Another incident was when Cantore dodged a flying piece of lumber while reporting a landfall of Hurricane Michael in Panama Beach in Florida. This video saw more than 500,000 views on Twitter.
One thing that also makes Cantore stand out is his sheer bravery, his willingness to report strong weather conditions. Such is his reputation amongst his peers that one Algis Laukaitis of Lincoln Journal Star refers to him as the “Rockstar of Meteorologists.”
Early Life of Jim Cantore
Jim Cantore was born on February 16, 1964, in Beacon Falls, Connecticut. He went to Lyndon State College and graduated in 1986. That same year, he got a job with The Weather Channel. Since then, he has grown in leaps and bounds with his reporting from sites of dangerous weather systems regarded as daunting but necessary.
The Professional Career of Jim Cantore
As one of the leading meteorologists for The Weather Channel, Jim has covered dozens of hurricanes including Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Floyd, Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Isabel and many others.
While he is a constant presence on The Weather Channel, he has also had forays in NFL games, golf tournaments, the “X” Games, the Olympics and wait for it… space shuttle launch. This again shows his versatility.
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Aside from this, he also narrates for the popular series “Storm Stories” and is a regular host on “The Today Show.” As a solid professional, he is proudly a member of the National Weather Association and also endorsed by the American Meteorological Society.
His Personal Life
Cantore has had his fair share of life’s challenges. He married journalist Tamra Zinn in 1990 after they met at The Weather Channel. They had two children together who have Fragile X Syndrome, an intellectual disability.
They settled for a divorce in 2009 after 19 years of marriage. We do not know what caused this separation, but we guess they couldn’t reach an agreement. Anyways, the duo are separated now and both are doing quite well in their individual lives.
Jim Cantore is rumored to be dating CNN journalist, Andrea Butera since 2010. Before this, Jim has been involved with many other women, which did not lead to something tangible. Tamra on the other hand has moved on, although she has not remarried.
Who is Ben Cantore?
Ben Cantore is the son of Jim Cantore. Jim and his ex-wife had him in 1995, two years after having Christina Cantore in 1993. The two children suffer from the same disorder. Despite the challenge, Ben Cantore has weathered the storm and continues to forge ahead to make meaning of his life. His mother, Tamra Cantore was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when she was 40 years old.
Where is Ben Cantore Today?
Many people confuse Ben’s condition to be autism. While it is not entirely autism, it is quite similar. He and his sister, Christina Cantore have been privileged not to be exposed to abuse. Ben Cantore’s whereabouts are not known today. We know they attended college but what happened after that is not known. We believe they have decided to keep their identity private.
Jim Cantore’s Net Worth
According to the reliable Celebrity Net Worth, Jim Cantore is worth $4.5 million. This is only right considering Cantore’s many involvements in the media. He is a prominent reporter of the biggest weather network in the world.
Conclusion
Jim Cantore son’s (Ben Cantore)condition paved the way for him to provide support for those who may not have the privilege he has to take care of children with this disorder.
Cantore has dedicated his life to charities that support the research of both Fragile X Syndrome and autism and is a robust member of the Make a Wish Foundation.