Valarie D’Elia, a beloved travel journalist for NY1, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 64 following a brave battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The renowned reporter was a familiar face to viewers in New York City through her “Travel with Val” segments, where she explored the city and various global destinations.
Valarie’s passion for travel could be traced back to her family history; her great-grandfather started a travel agency during the early 1900s. In a 2010 interview with The Post, Valarie mentioned that she spent about 60% of the year on the road while traveling and working on her show. Upon returning home, she would then have to compile her stories from her travels, which involved reviewing the video footage, writing scripts, and editing.
During the same interview, Valarie shared some valuable travel advice with readers. She encouraged packing light and not worrying about trivial items like a blow-dryer. By doing so, she explained that people would feel liberated while on their trips.
Valarie D’Elia worked for NY1 between 1998 and 2017, as per her LinkedIn profile. Apart from her time with the local station, she has also been associated with other prominent networks such as the Travel Channel, HBO, and WOR Radio Network.
The loss of Valarie D’Elia leaves a significant void in the hearts of her husband Ron, family members, friends, and colleagues alike. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure at present, making it an incredibly challenging health issue to overcome.
