ABC is reporting that renowned journalist, Cokie Roberts, has passed away at the age of 75. The celebrated journalist and news anchor died of complications from breast cancer.
PHOTO: Cokie Roberts joined ABC News in 1988 and won the Edward R. Murrow Award and Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. Heidi Gutman/ABC
- Longtime ABC News journalist and anchor Cokie Roberts has passed away at the age of 75. She is survived by her husband, Steven Roberts, children Lee and Rebecca, and six grandchildren.
- Roberts death was due to complications from breast cancer.
- Her career spanned over five decades, several mediums, and for multiple news organizations.
- Roberts started working for ABC News in 1988 going on to co-anchor This Week with Sam Donaldson between 1996 to 2002.
- During her time with ABC she served as political commentator, chief congressional analyst and a commentator for This Week
- Roberts was honored for her contributions to journalism, receiving numerous awards and recognition including:
- Edward R. Murrow Award
- Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
- Three Emmys
- Induction into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame
- Cited by the American Women in Radio and Television as one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting
- Named a "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress in 2008
- In addition to reporting on camera, Roberts used her journalism skills to write eight books with many of them about the role of women in American history.
PHOTO: Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts anchor This Week on ABC, Jan. 23, 1997. Terry Ashe/ABC
What they’re saying:
- James Goldston, president of ABC News: "Cokie Roberts will be dearly missed. Cokie's kindness, generosity, sharp intellect and thoughtful take on the big issues of the day made ABC a better place and all of us better journalists.”
- James Goldston: She was “a true pioneer for women in journalism, well-regarded for her insightful analysis of politics and policy in Washington, D.C., countless newsmaking interviews, and, notably, her unwavering support for generations of young women — and men — who would follow in her footsteps."
- Steve Roberts on celebrating his and Cokie’s 50th anniversary: "Marrying the right person is the single most important decision you’ll ever make in your life. Everything else is secondary. From the very beginning, I knew what an extraordinary person Cokie was."
- Disney CEO and Chairman Robert Iger offered his condolences as well tweeting: “CokieRoberts was a colleague and a friend, and our prayers are with her family today. Cokie was a legend and a pioneer for women in journalism and one of the outstanding political commentators of her generation.”
PHOTO: Cokie Roberts conducts and interview at the University Club in Washington, Oct. 29, 2015. Samantha Sergi/ABC News
Photo Via ABC News
Full statement from the family of Cokie Roberts:
Her loving family announces the passing of journalist and author Cokie Roberts, due to complications from breast cancer, on September 17.
Born Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs on December 27, 1943, Cokie was – first and foremost – a wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin and friend.
Cokie’s career as a journalist at National Public Radio and ABC News took her to the heights of her profession, and her success as an author on history and family put her on the best seller list.
But her values put family and relationships above all else.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, journalist, author and professor Steven V. Roberts, her children Lee Roberts and Rebecca Roberts, her grandchildren Regan, Hale and Cecilia Roberts and Claiborne, Jack and Roland Hartman, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is also survived by friendships and by causes that she put her time, resources and energy into that are too numerous to count.
We would like to thank the staff at the National Institutes of Health for their dedication, expertise, work and incredible care for Cokie during her illness.
We will miss Cokie beyond measure, both for her contributions and for her love and kindness.
We are hopeful that Cokie now goes to join her parents, former Members of Congress Hale and Lindy Boggs, her siblings Barbara, Tom and William, who predecease her, and her God.