Background
Montagne was born in December 1948 in Oceanside, California, into a Marine Corps family.
Montagne was born in December 1948 in Oceanside, California, into a Marine Corps family.
She attended Cupertino High School and was inducted into the school"s Hall of Fame in 2012. Montagne graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley in 1973 with a degree in English.
Montagne and Inskeep replaced longtime host Bob Edwards, initially as interim replacements in May 2004 and Greene joined the team in 2012. Montagne had served as a correspondent and occasional host since 1989. She usually broadcasts from National Public Radio West in Culver City, California, a Los Angeles suburb.
As is common in the lives of children of career military families, she moved often while growing up, including living in Hawaii and various places on the West Coast.
Montagne got her start in radio as news director for KPOO community radio in San Francisco while attending University of California-Berkeley. She also worked for Pacific News Service in San Francisco.
From 1980 through 1986, Montagne worked in New York City as a freelance reporter and producer for both National Public Radio and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. During this period, she covered the arts and science for National Public Radio. From 1987 to 1989, she was co-host with Robert Siegel of National Public Radio"s evening newsmagazine, All Things Considered.
In 1990, Montagne covered the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in South Africa.
She remained in South Africa for three years covering South Africa. In May 2004, Montagne and Steve Inskeep were chosen as interim co-hosts for National Public Radio"s Morning Edition replacing long-time host Bob Edwards who was reassigned as a senior correspondent. They became permanent co-hosts in December 2004.
Montagne traveled to Rome to cover the funeral of Pope John Paul II for National Public Radio"s Morning Edition in 2005.
She also has traveled frequently to Afghanistan covering the war which began in 2001. She has been recognized by the Overseas Press Club for her Afghanistan reporting.
Montagne was among the news anchors who attended the traditional off-the-record luncheon held with the United States. president in advance of Barack Obama"s 2011 State of the Union Address. 1995 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for coverage of South African elections.