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Geraldo Rivera ’69 (b. 1943)
Rivera earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1969 and began his career as a lawyer for the New York Legal Aid Society and the activist group the Young Lords. His legal work led to his recruitment by WABC-TV, where he reported on issues of social justice and inequality. Rivera’s 1972 exposé Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace revealed abuse and neglect at the Willowbrook State School, earning him national attention and a Peabody Award. He later hosted the syndicated talk show Geraldo (1987–1998) and worked as a correspondent for ABC News, CNBC, and Fox News, covering major national and international events. Rivera’s five-decade broadcasting career, recently profiled in The New York Times, reflects his enduring visibility as a journalist, attorney, and commentator known for blending investigative reporting with public advocacy.