Trivia

His wife gave him a motorcycle for his 60th birthday.

Became a U. S. citizen in 1963

His parents were Jews living in Germany in the 1930s. They emigrated to England to escape from the Nazis.

Wife, Grace Anne Koppel, is an attorney, who worked full-time while Koppel held fast to his agreement to stay at home as a full-time dad early in their careers.

He has received honorary degrees from Syracuse University, Colgate University, The University of South Carolina, American University, New England School of Law, Fairfield University, Middlebury College, Georgetown School of Law, Dartmouth College, Knox College, Howard University, Duke University, Saint Louis University, University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University, Johns Hopkins University and Catholic University.

Most prized possession is his family Torah

He speaks fluent German, Russian and French.

Has 3 daughters and 1 son: Deirdre, Andrew, Tara and Andrea Koppel, also a TV news-person, who covers the State Dept for CNN.

Winner of 25 Emmy Awards, five George Foster Peabody Awards, eight duPont-Columbia Awards, nine Overseas Press Club Awards, two George Polk Awards, and two Sigma Delta Chi Awards, the highest honor bestowed for public service by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Member of the Broadcasting Hall of Fame

From 1971 to 1980, was ABC News' Chief Diplomatic Correspondent

Anchored the ABC Saturday Night News from 1975-77.

Has BS degree from Syracuse University and an MA in mass communications research and political science from Stanford University

Favorite author is Patrick O'Brian.

Enjoys sailing

His father Erwin owned a tire factory, mother Alice was a singer and pianist.

Father of Andrea Koppel.

He was the subject of a joke on ''The Simpsons'' where Homer awakes from a nightmare worried that he hates Ted before realizing that he actually finds him "informative and witty".

Named Broadcaster of the Year in 1987

Cowrote book: In the National Interest

Moved to the US when he was 13

NBC News special correspondent [2011].

Release of his book, "Off Camera: Private Thoughts Made Public". (2000)