Longtime NY1 travel reporter Valerie D'Elia passed away on Tuesday after a battle with ALS. A local broadcasting station reported the news. She was 64 years old.
The globetrotting journalist has become a familiar face to New York audiences for his “Travel with Val” segment, exploring New York and other parts of the world.
During an interview with The Washington Post in 2010, she explained that travel has always been part of her family's history: Her great-grandfather started a travel agency in the early 1900s, she said.
In an interview, she recalled that she typically spent about 60 percent of the year traveling.
“Then I have to go home and put the story together. I watch the footage, write the script and edit the footage,” she said.
She also shared some valuable advice during the interview.
“Pack light and forget the hair dryer, who wants to worry about that stuff?” Delia said. “You'll be amazed at how liberating it feels!”
D'Elia worked at NY1 from 1998 to 2017, according to his LinkedIn.
According to NY1, the intrepid reporter has also worked for the Travel Channel, HBO and WOR radio network.
“She is survived by her husband, Ron, and will be greatly missed by family and friends,” the station said Wednesday.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease after the famous New York Yankees player, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure.
