Tamra Cantore is best known as the former wife of famous meteorologist Jim Cantore, but her own life story is rich and brave. She is a mother, a long‑time Weather Channel professional, a woman living with Parkinson’s disease, and a strong voice for research and faith.
Quick Bio of Tamra Cantore
| Bio Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tamra Cantore (born Tamra Zinn) |
| Known For | Former spouse of Jim Cantore, Parkinson’s advocate |
| Birth Year | Mid-1960s (often reported as 1965) |
| Age (Approx.) | Late 50s to about 60 |
| Nationality | American |
| Career | Former The Weather Channel executive / media worker |
| Marriage | Married Jim Cantore in 1990, later divorced |
| Children | Christina and Ben Cantore |
| Children’s Health | Both diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome |
| Her Health | Young-onset Parkinson’s disease |
| Charity Work | Founder of Team Cantore, organizer of Countrified Rock for Research |
| Books | The Calm Throughout Life’s Storms, Hidden Rainbows |
Who is Tamra Cantore?
Many people first hear about Tamra Cantore because they watch Jim Cantore chase storms on TV. Behind that public face, she once worked in television herself, helped him build his career, and quietly managed a busy home. Over time, she has become a symbol of calm in the middle of family and health storms.
Today, she is known as a fundraiser, writer, and Christian woman who speaks honestly about illness and hope. People search for her story to learn about her background, her family, and her health, and to find out how she keeps going after so many hard years.
Early life and career
As a young adult, Tamra Cantore studied subjects related to media and communication. She wanted to work in television, share important stories, and help programs reach more viewers. This dream slowly opened the door to The Weather Channel, a place that would shape both her career and her personal life.
At the channel she worked mainly in sales and affiliate roles, using strong business skills to support the growing network. Some reports say she also did field reporting and on‑air work. In every version of her story, she appears as a hard‑working woman who took her job seriously and liked to be part of a team.
Meeting and marrying Jim Cantore
The love story between Jim Cantore and Tamra Cantore began at work, where they often crossed paths in the halls and offices of The Weather Channel. They shared the same fast world of live forecasts, breaking news, and long shifts. Friendship slowly turned into romance, and their connection grew deeper.
The couple married in 1990 in a small ceremony with family and close friends. Many viewers only saw the public side and called her “Jim Cantore’s wife.” Inside the marriage, she was also a trusted partner, a planner, and later the main person keeping home life steady while Jim traveled to cover severe weather.
Family life and children
Soon, Tamra Cantore and Jim Cantore became parents to two children, Christina and Ben. Raising kids while working in media was never simple, especially when one parent was often away in dangerous storm zones. At home, she handled much of the daily care and planning so the children could feel safe and loved.
Family life grew more complex when both children were diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that affects learning and development. She had to learn new terms, follow therapy plans, and fight for the right support in school. Through all of this, she has spoken with pride and tenderness about her son and daughter.
Health challenges and Parkinson’s diagnosis
A major part of Tamra Cantore’s story is her health. In her late thirties she began to feel small tremors in her hand and stiffness in her body. At first, doctors were unsure what was wrong. After more tests, she received a heavy answer: young‑onset Parkinson’s disease.
That diagnosis changed almost everything. Simple actions like walking, writing, or speaking clearly became more difficult. The illness did not only touch her body; it also affected mood, sleep, and confidence. Still, she chose not to let Parkinson’s fully control her identity, and she started to look for ways to respond with strength.
Leaving The Weather Channel and changing direction
Because of her symptoms, keeping a high‑pressure job at The Weather Channel became harder each year. The work needed long hours, quick travel, and constant focus, all of which can be tough for a person with Parkinson’s. In time, she stepped away from her role there and closed that chapter of her career.
This loss also opened a new path. She realized she could use her sales and communication skills for a different purpose. Instead of chasing ratings or advertising deals, she began to focus on awareness, support, and fundraising for people living with Parkinson’s disease and for their families.
Building Team Cantore and raising money
To turn this idea into action, Tamra Cantore helped create Team Cantore, a group that supports Parkinson’s research. Working with groups like the Parkinson’s Unity Walk and The Michael J. Fox Foundation, she organized walks, runs, and other events. She often speaks at these gatherings, sharing her own story in clear and simple words.
One of the most famous events connected to Team Cantore is the “Countrified Rock for Research” concert in Atlanta. With help from artists, sponsors, and kind donors, this event has raised more than one million dollars over the years. Each ticket and each song becomes part of her fight against the disease that changed her life.
Faith, books, and a message of hope
Faith plays a central role in Tamra Cantore’s life. She has said that her belief in God gives her the strength to face each morning, even on days when symptoms are strong. Her faith led her to write books like “The Calm Throughout Life’s Storms” and “Hidden Rainbows: Discovering Our Everyday God.”
In these books she shares poems and stories about illness, motherhood, and grace. She does not hide fear, sadness, or anger, but she also points to small “hidden rainbows” in daily life. Her writing shows readers that it is possible to be honest about pain and still hold on to hope, one quiet step at a time.
Age, height, and net worth
Many people type search terms such as “Tamra Cantore age”, “her height,” or “her net worth.” Public reports say she was born in the mid‑1960s, so she is now in her late fifties or early sixties. Knowing this helps readers picture a woman who has moved through many seasons, from early love to long‑term illness.
Her exact height and net worth are less clear. Some websites guess her income from her time at The Weather Channel, her books, and the divorce settlement. These numbers are only rough estimates. What truly stands out is the value of the more than one million dollars she has helped raise for Parkinson’s research.
Is she still alive and is she married?
Fans also ask if Tamra Cantore is still alive, how her health is now, and whether she has married again. Current public information shows that she is alive and continues to support events, church activities, and her grown children. She still lives with the daily reality of Parkinson’s, but she keeps moving forward.
After her divorce from Jim Cantore, there is no strong public sign that she remarried. Most sources describe her as a single mother who enjoys time with her children, her friends, and her faith community. Rather than chasing the spotlight, she seems to value simple moments of peace and connection.
Online confusion and reality TV mix‑up
Because of her first name, some people confuse Tamra Cantore with Tamra Judge, a star on “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” This leads to odd search terms that try to link her to that reality show. In truth, these are two different women with very different lives and careers.
Unlike the reality star, she has never been part of that series. Her work is not on a big TV stage filled with drama. Instead, it happens in charity walks, musical fundraisers, support groups, and quiet hospital rooms. Her influence comes from real service, not scripted conflict.
Tamra Cantore today: daily life with Parkinson’s
Today, Tamra Cantore continues to live with Parkinson’s disease, a condition that does not go away. Some days are harder than others, and symptoms can change without warning. She often speaks about the importance of regular exercise, stretching, and movement to keep her body as strong and flexible as possible.
In daily life she also focuses on what she can still do. She can write, pray, listen, and encourage others. She celebrates each event that raises money, every family that feels less alone, and each person who learns something new about Parkinson’s. In this way, her own struggle becomes a source of strength for many people.
What we can learn from Tamra Cantore
The story of Tamra Cantore is more than a list of dates, search terms, or quick facts. It is the story of a woman who faced serious illness, children with special needs, and a public divorce, yet still found ways to give. Her life shows that courage does not mean having no fear; it means choosing to keep going even when fear is strong.
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