Eva Pilgrim, the new anchor of "Inside Edition," reflects on her career, her love for journalism, and the joy of driving her daughter to school.

“I used to think I was one of those people who didn’t need much sleep,” she recalls from her days as a correspondent for ABC News. “Getting four hours felt like a victory.”

Now, she's savoring full nights of sleep and quality time with her daughter, having opted for a change that meant stepping away from the prestige of a major network.

Network Correspondent Life

Eva spent years advancing at ABC News, securing co-anchor positions on "Good Morning America Weekend" and later on "GMA3." Among her proudest accomplishments was her role as a senior correspondent.

“It wasn’t about hosting; it was about the journalism, the reason we all got into this field,” she explains.

Her job involved covering urgent news stories nationwide, necessitating always-ready “go bags” for any situation.

She remembers, “They’d call asking, ‘How fast can you get to LaGuardia? A flight leaves in 45 minutes.’”

“It’s an exhilarating rush,” she adds. “The person who boards first is the one reporting the story.”

Once assigned, the workload could be nonstop. Eva often juggled coverage for both "Good Morning America" and "World News Tonight." “It was a constant grind… If you were on a story that took off, weeks could pass without a break.”

A challenging moment for her came after reporting on difficult stories, including the protests in Charlottesville and consecutive hurricanes. During one storm, she faced a breakup on her birthday.

“I reached my breaking point,” she states.

Discovering Life in London

Eva had an emotional discussion with ABC News executives, revealing her growing stress. They responded by transferring her to their London Bureau temporarily, where she thrived. “I was living my best life as a foreign correspondent.”

It was during this time she began dating her now-husband, whom she initially viewed as just a friend.

Her mother, visiting her in London, recognized the connection first. “She insisted, ‘No, no, no... he’s the one,’” Pilgrim recounts, noting how supportive he was of her hectic schedule.

However, when her bosses requested her return to the States for an audition for the co-anchor position on "Good Morning America Weekend," it complicated things. They had started dating, and her mother was confident that a long-distance relationship would succeed.

“She said, ‘Eva, he’ll be here in six months.’ And he was.”

Settling Down & Making a Big Change

In 2023, Pilgrim became co-anchor of "GMA3." By this point, she was married and had welcomed their daughter, Ella. Yet, her work schedule remained demanding.

Last year, sensing shifts in the media landscape, she asked her agent to discreetly find new opportunities. “They had laid off the entire GMA3 team I had worked with for two years, and I suspected my contract was up for renegotiation.”

Not long after, she received an enticing offer. Her agent began by stating, “Let’s talk about the hours first.”

“The thought of working from 11 AM to 5:30 PM felt like a dream,” Pilgrim shares.

It was for the anchor position at "Inside Edition," the longest-running nationally syndicated news program. Deborah Norville was stepping down after three decades.

Another perk: “They were allowing me to pursue other projects on my own terms,” she adds.

Despite the appealing hours and flexibility, she hesitated to leave the network. “It felt like part of my identity, and I found security there.” But she recognized the bigger picture and chose to embrace the change.

Taking the Risk

Six months into her new role at "Inside Edition," Pilgrim is glad she took the plunge.

She’s working on exciting projects (details remain under wraps) and appreciates how the show includes uplifting stories in each episode.

“Given how heavy the news often is, I love that we get to end each show on a positive note, making people smile,” she remarks.

Outside of her role, Pilgrim has the freedom to explore projects across various platforms, meeting audiences where they are. “People are still consuming media; it’s just in different forms,” she states. She plans to leverage her two decades of experience in network reporting for a fresh and diverse chapter in her career.

Personally, her daughter Ella has noticed how her mother’s routine has changed. “I wake up with her, we have breakfast together, and I take her to school. That never happened before.”

“It feels like a gift because how long do they really want to be around you?” she asks playfully. “I’m just trying to enjoy every moment.”