Julie Banderas, one of Fox News’ most recognizable anchors, is often seen confidently delivering headlines on national television. But behind the screen, her journey has been marked by personal heartbreak, strained relationships, and public scrutiny — far from the picture-perfect career trajectory many might assume.
A Career Built from the Ground Up
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Julie Banderas, whose legal name is Julie Bidwell, began her broadcast journalism career after graduating from Emerson College in Boston. She got her start in 1997 at WHSV TV-3 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, first as a morning and noon anchor/producer, eventually rising to anchor the evening broadcasts. Her career took her through local newsrooms in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York before she landed at Fox News Channel in 2005 — a position she calls the turning point of her professional life.
Yet, behind the glitz of primetime news, Banderas has weathered profound personal losses and emotional battles.
Losing Her Father Just After Becoming a Mother
One of the most heartbreaking moments in Banderas’ life came in 2010, only six months after she became a mother for the first time. Her father, Howard D. Bidwell, passed away from Parkinson’s disease just a week before Thanksgiving.
“He was my hero,” Banderas told Fox News. “My dad always said to me, ‘Don’t ever settle for mediocrity.’”
The loss was profound and life-altering. “I live my life every day trying to exemplify the life lessons instilled in me by my father and mother and hope one day my children will do the same,” she said. Although she went on to have two more children, none of them got to meet their grandfather.
On what would have been her father’s birthday, Banderas spoke about him live on-air. “I speak for all of us when I say, Dad, I hope you’re watching from a better place. We love and miss you dearly,” she said.
Regrets Over Not Having More Children
While Banderas now has three children, she has openly expressed her regrets about not expanding her family earlier. In an interview with Fox News, she confessed that motherhood wasn’t something she always longed for — a perspective that changed entirely once she had children.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I know what I was missing. If I had started having children at a younger age, I would’ve had more. Maybe four, maybe five, who knows?” she said. “Having children has been the greatest joy of my life, and I wish I would’ve had more time to have more.”
Now in her 50s, Banderas acknowledges that expanding her family biologically is no longer an option, given the significant decline in fertility at her age.
A Marriage Marked by Allegations and Divorce
Banderas’ marriage to Andrew Sansone officially ended in 2023, but the relationship had long been troubled. In a shocking revelation, she accused Sansone of threatening her with a knife during a domestic dispute, an incident that led to criminal charges. Although Sansone was ultimately found not guilty, the allegations painted a disturbing picture of the couple’s relationship.
The two had previously spoken candidly about their rocky romance in a 2009 New York Times interview, joking about their repeated breakups and reconciliations. “We call this round four,” Banderas had said at the time. But the cracks eventually proved too deep to mend.
Enduring Decades of Online Abuse
As a high-profile journalist at a polarizing network, Banderas has been a frequent target of online attacks. She first spoke about the vitriol in 2006 during an appearance on The Big Story Primetime Edition. “If I sued every person that said a bad thing about me on the internet, I would be a billionaire,” she said. “We take it. In fact, you know what? Bring it on. It’s good publicity.”
But over the years, the attacks have continued. In 2015, she defended herself on social media after being criticized for tweeting in Spanish during a trip to Colombia. “I’m in Colombia and writing a Colombian airline so I’ll speak Spanish,” she shot back.
Even criticism from high-ranking officials didn’t go unchecked. In 2019, when then-President Donald Trump publicly insulted two Fox News reporters, Banderas called him out: “By going on Twitter and insulting two of our journalists @realDonaldTrump is putting a target on their backs… Bullying journalists is not Presidential. Period.”
A Life Lived Out Loud — With Strength
Despite the loss, regret, public pressure, and personal betrayal, Julie Banderas continues to show up — for her children, her audience, and herself. Her life has been anything but easy, but through each chapter, she’s chosen to speak her truth and stand her ground. Whether she’s anchoring breaking news or standing up to critics, she remains a complex and compelling figure in American media.
