When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder the year I turned 50, it was certainly a shock. But as a journalist, knowing a little bit about a lot of things, I didn't suffer the misconception that depression was all in my head or a mark of poor character. I knew it was a disease, and, like all diseases, was treatable.

She subsequently earned a scholarship to Indiana University where Jane Pauley was involved in the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. After leaving The Today Show Pauley hosted Real Life with Jane Pauley and served as deputy anchor for NBC Nightly News. In 2009 Pauley joined the Board of Directors of The Mind Trust an Indianapolis-based non-profit organization that supports education innovation and reform.

She is best known for her 13-year tenure on NBC's Today program followed by 12 years as co-host of Dateline NBC and for her public acknowledgements of her struggle with bipolar disorder.