Mary Stoker Smith is a well-known American multimedia journalist, currently an anchor and reporter at WITI FOX 6 News in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her career spans several states and news networks, marking her as a seasoned professional in the field. While information about her personal weight loss journey remains under review, her on-air reporting has touched upon the subject of weight loss, showcasing stories of individuals who have successfully transformed their lives through healthy habits and, in some cases, medical intervention.
Early Life and Education
Born on February 11, 1969, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Mary Stoker Smith celebrated her 56th birthday in 2025. Her zodiac sign is Aquarius. She spent her formative years in La Crosse, where she completed her high school education. Demonstrating a commitment to her chosen career path, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Later, she pursued and obtained a Master’s degree in Journalism from Emerson College, solidifying her expertise in the field.
Career Highlights
Mary Stoker Smith's career is marked by a series of significant roles in various news networks. Before joining FOX 6 News, she was a co-anchor and reporter for WPHL-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she covered numerous high-profile stories. Prior to that, she served as a correspondent evening reporter and general assignment reporter for CBS KYW-TV News, also in Philadelphia, until August 16, 2009. In May 2010, she transitioned to Milwaukee to begin her work as an anchor for WITI, where she has been a fixture for over a decade. She also has experience as a morning anchor for an ABC affiliate, WTVO, in Rockford, Illinois.
Miss Wisconsin USA
Adding another dimension to her accomplishments, Mary Stoker Smith won the title of Miss Wisconsin United States in 1996. She represented her state in the 1996 Miss United States beauty pageant held in South Padre Island, Texas, where she reached the top six finalists.
Personal Life
Mary Stoker Smith holds American nationality and citizenship by birth, identifying with White-American ethnicity. She stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) and maintains an average weight of around 68 kg. While she is known to be happily married, information about her husband remains private. Mary prefers to keep her personal life out of the public eye, a decision respected by her audience and colleagues. She was raised in La Crosse, Wisconsin by her loving and supportive parents. However, her parents like to live a low-profile life away from the public. Thus, it is also not known whether she has any siblings or not. Nevertheless, more details about Smith’s parents and siblings will be updated once it is confirmed available.
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Reporting on Weight Loss: The Story of Kim Simpson
While details of Mary Stoker Smith's own weight loss journey are not publicly available, she has reported on weight loss stories, bringing attention to the struggles and triumphs of others. In May 2017, she shared the story of Kim Simpson, a young woman who lost approximately 60 pounds over six to seven months through healthy lifestyle changes. Kim's success was attributed to extensive research and dedication to finding the most effective and sustainable ways to lose weight.
The Role of Appearance and Fashion
As a reporter and on-air anchor, Mary Stoker Smith is recognized for her elegant and vibrant outfits. However, she has not shared specific details about her fashion choices or preferences.
Financial Standing
Mary Stoker Smith's estimated net worth ranges from $1 million to $5 million, reflecting her successful career as a journalist and correspondent. This estimation is based on her reported annual salary and known assets.
Gastric Bypass Surgery: A Path to Weight Loss
Mary Stoker Smith's reporting has also touched on more drastic methods of weight loss, such as gastric bypass surgery. One such story featured Susan Boyd, who underwent gastric bypass surgery after struggling with weight gain following a traumatic event.
Susan Boyd's Journey
Susan Boyd, a formerly energetic and outgoing woman, experienced significant weight gain after the loss of her mother. "My mother passed away and I think physiologically, I just started down a path of gaining weight and trying to loose it and gaining more back when I lost it," Boyd said. She also described a lack of satiety, stating, "I never knew when I was full. I never felt full. So I would just keep eating."
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Boyd tried numerous diets, including Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, and even Fen-Phen. At her heaviest, she weighed 375 pounds at a height of 5'7". A turning point came during a restaurant visit when her chair was replaced due to concerns about her weight. "Like, I was in a restaurant once and they replaced my chair because they thought I was too heavy for the one plastic chair they had. So they brought me another chair," Boyd said.
Ultimately, health concerns prompted her to take action. "I had high blood pressure. I was having horrible pain in my back when I was walking," Boyd said. She opted for Gastric Bypass Surgery. "It was the best thing I ever did," Boyd said. "Anyone who chooses Bariatric surgery is making a very brave decision about their health and their life because it's a big change."
The Procedure
Dr. James Rydlewicz from Aurora Medical Center explained the procedure: "The surgery makes the stomach smaller so a person can't really take in as much calories to eat." He further elaborated, "We make her stomach small by creating a small gastric pouch and then we re-route her small bowels so she can`t absorb the calories that she eats. All the medical problems that Susan had before, that she doesn't have to worry about anymore."
The recovery period is relatively short, with most patients back on their feet within days and typically losing between 60 and 80 pounds in a year.
Important Considerations
Boyd emphasized that surgery is not a miracle cure: "This is not a panacea, it doesn’t fix everything," Boyd said. "It’s a tool that says, 'You’re full.' When I first felt that way after surgery, I was shocked. I hadn't ever had that feeling before."
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Following the surgery, Boyd lost a significant amount of weight and regained her energy. The grandmother to five grandchildren, who just turned 70 years old, even surprised herself during a vacation: "I hiked more miles than anybody, even my grandkids," Boyd said.
The success rate for Bariatric surgery is about 75 percent.