Why Family, Immigration, and Journalism Matter to Geraldo Rivera, Legendary TV Host
1 day ago
Legendary TV host Geraldo Rivera opens up about the things that matter most to him — family, journalism, and immigration. He shares personal stories about his own immigrant roots, reflects on the promise of the American dream, and explains why staying curious about the world is so important. He also reveals the one thing he absolutely needed on a recent vacation morning.
[00:12] Geraldo on why family comes first and the importance of joy and gratitude
[01:17] Why journalism matters in a large, complex, and interconnected world
[02:01] How Geraldo supported his Afghan driver and translator in building a new life in Cleveland, Ohio
[02:38] Why immigration is the fuel of America — and Geraldo's own family immigration story
[04:51] Geraldo's concerns about ICE and the need for legal, regulated immigration
[06:00] Matters.com Speed Round: Coffee, vacation mornings, and counting your blessings
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Whys (4)
Geraldo declares Coffee "essential to life," recounting how even on a beautiful vacation morning, the one thing missing was "a cup of coffee."
Does COFFEE matter to you?
Geraldo says Journalism matters because we live in a "large, complex, interconnected world" and must stay connected to the needs and aspirations of others beyond our immediate surroundings.
Does JOURNALISM matter to you?
Geraldo calls Immigration "the fuel of a nation like ours," rooted in his own family's immigrant story, while expressing concern that ICE's activities are "excessive and un-American."
Does IMMIGRATION matter to you?
Geraldo calls Family "the reason for being on earth," emphasizing relationships and nurturing, just as his own parents nurtured him.
Does FAMILY matter to you?
Takeaways (8) View 11 quotes
Family is the reason for being on earth — full stop.
Immigration is the fuel of a nation like ours — my own parents proved it.
The American dream is essentially an immigrant dream.
Nobody wants to sneak into Russia or China — that tells you everything about the United States.
I support legal, regulated immigration, but ICE's current actions feel excessive and un-American.
Journalism matters because it's easy to forget about the rest of the world when you're comfortable.
I never let things get me so down that I stop seeing the promise of this country and this world.
Watching my Afghan driver's daughters go to nursing school in Cleveland — that's the American dream working.