Comeback Queen

Deborah Norville has been through hell and back and lives to tell the tale.

In 1991, she suffered a devastating, career-crushing dismissal as an anchor of NBC's "Today" show after only 14 months in the coveted, high-profile job, and she was widely considered to be washed up in the world of broadcast journalism.

"I was done finished," she says. "The fork was in me. I didn't think I was ever going to be on television or get a job in the media again."

In the aftermath that no one saw, she fell into a deep depression; curled up in a fetal position in her bathtub, sobbing in anguish; packed on pounds; and lived in her bathrobe for weeks at a time.

The former beauty queen from Dalton, Georgia, had enjoyed a meteoric career rise, from being the only solo female anchor of a network newscast, "NBC News At Sunrise," in 1987, to being elevated to news anchor on "Today" in 1989 and co-anchor in 1990. And her crash was every bit as dramatic.

But she survived and fought her way back.

Today, two-time Emmy winner Norville, 59, has been the anchor of CBS' top-rated news show, "Inside Edition," for 23 years, making her the longest-serving anchor in American television. She has authored several adult and children's books, including 2007's "Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You," a New York Times best-seller. She has been married to Swedish businessman Karl Wellner for 30 years and has raised three children. A lifelong fan of knitting and crocheting, she owns a thriving line of yarns, the Deborah Norville Collection, including high-end knitting and crochet needles. And, since 2013, she has served on the board of media conglomerate Viacom.

Norville discussed how she climbed out of the pits of despair to reclaim the apex of success as the keynote speaker at the annual Lion of Judah Luncheon, hosted by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County at The Polo Club of Boca Raton.

She feels passionate about the subject and considers it a mission to help others beat depression.

"There were tables of 10 at the luncheon," she says. "Statistically, one in 10 women, or one person at every table in the room, is depressed. There is someone in here who needs to hear this message,' I told them. This message is for you, and it will help you,' and it does."

Norville discussed research she uncovered that shows that being philanthropically engaged creates both psychological and physical benefits. She served on the board of the Girl Scouts Council of Greater New York for 20 years and is currently director of the charitable group Broadcasters Foundation of America, which provides emergency funding for broadcasters in need.

"Gratitude is crucial," she says. "Each day, if you take time to write down three things for which you are grateful, she notes, research shows that you will exercise an hour and a half more a week, get more of your to do list done, have fewer allergy attacks or headaches and be more socially engaged. In short, you will be happier and healthier."

Faith also is important in recovery, says Norville, who became a born-again Christian at the age of 15 and remains so to this day.

"I believe that God does have a plan," she says. "It is our challenge and responsibility to find out what that plan is. Be patient, and wait for it. Put yourself in the right place to be open when it does happen."

When she was replaced on "Today," she was considered finito or left for dead on the side of the road in news coverage of the event, she says. Norville remembers the most vicious press quotes precisely and bitterly, and it is painfully obvious that the cost to her psyche was devastating and still stings.

Her personal turnaround began weeks after leaving "Today." One day, she had slept for 12 hours and missed three feedings for her new baby. She made herself shower and then get dressed. That's more of her advice: Take one small step at a time.

"I had been engaging in cookie dough therapy, and it wasn't helping. I just got fatter," she says. "When you need to have a good cry, get in the shower, because your face is going to be red and wet anyway when you get out."

Norville cautions not to let your career become your identity. The danger is that, if you lose what you do professionally as she did you risk losing who you are.

"I promised myself that I would never let executives in broadcasting have that kind of control over my life," she says.

Instead, focus on who you really are: a combination of your joys, sorrows, successes, beliefs and misfortunes.

Another tool to combat depression is creativity, and, for Norville, that meant sewing and knitting, lifetime hobbies of hers.

"I am a huge believer that, if people who are struggling with depression and a lack of self-worth can find a creative pursuit that gives them a sense of mastery, it will be a very important tool for getting through that difficult, challenging phase," she says.

Her way out of the darkness began in 1991 when Norville got the chance to host the radio show "The Deborah Norville Show: From Her Home to Yours." That was followed by joining CBS for "Street Stories" and "48 Hours" in 1992 and, in 1995, winning the slot as anchor on "Inside Edition."

Her comeback would culminate in 1997 with the publication of "Back on Track: How to Straighten Out Your Life When it Throws You a Curve," which chronicled her path out of depression and shared her personal roadmap to recovery.

The book lists self-help tips Norville discovered and provides a complete, scientifically proven toolkit for fighting one's way out of depression, such as acknowledge you're having a crisis, do something for yourself, build your self-esteem, visualize your future and find a purpose in your crisis.

Unfulfilled by the lightweight subjects she was covering on "Inside Edition," she began searching for information on fighting depression and was blown away to learn of recent research, she says.

"This information was totally life-changing for me. When you feel and express gratitude and acknowledge the things for which you are grateful in your life, you actually are made healthier."

Today, her three children Niki, 26; Kyle, 23; and Mikaela, 20 are doing great; her marriage is strong; and she remains incredibly busy with all of her ventures.

"My hope is that I've been a good role model for my kids that they know that a life of productivity and a life of service doesn't mean that you can't also have a wonderful family life. Because, at the end of the day, family is what matters most, she says. I have been blessed." O