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Liane Hansen

Liane Hansen (/liːˈæn/; born 29 September, 1951, Worcester, Massachusetts) is an American journalist and radio personality who was senior host of the National Public Radio newsmagazine Weekend Edition Sunday until her retirement in May 2011. Her experience in broadcast journalism includes working as a reporter, producer, and host for local and national programs.Hansen's first participation in NPR programming was in 1976 when she was a production assistant and substitute host for Fresh Air. In 1979, she formally joined NPR as a production assistant for All Things Considered. She hosted Weekend All Things Considered before hosting Performance Today and guest-hosting Fresh Air. In November, 1989, Hansen joined Weekend Edition Sunday.Ms. Hansen is the daughter of Edwin Hansen and Lois Hansen. The spelling of Hansen's first name came from that of Liane de Pougy (1869–1950). She was married to fellow NPR host Neal Conan with whom she has a son (Connor) and daughter (Casey). In April 2011, Hansen stated publicly that she and Conan were divorcing, in a parting described as "amicable".On May 30, 2010 Hansen announced that she would retire from Weekend Edition Sunday at the end of May 2011, a time that coincided with the end of her contract with NPR and with the lease on her apartment in Washington, D.C. She intends to spend her retirement near the ocean on Maryland's eastern shore. Her last broadcast was Sunday 29 May 2011. She appeared as Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music in Spring 2013. The production was presented by Clear Space Productions in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.