We just lost a journalism great.
On Monday, Gwen Ifill tragically lost her battle with cancer, and passed away at the age of 61. The iconic anchor died at a hospice in Washington, surrounded by loved ones.
Gwen took over Washington Week in Review in 1999, and officially became the first African-American woman to host a major political talk show on television.
Photos: Stars We’ve Lost In 2016
Over the course of her career, Ifill covered seven presidential campaigns. In 2013, she became the cohost for PBS‘ NewsHour. In addition to her television career, she also served as a national political reporter for The Washington Post and the White House correspondent for The New York Times.
NewsHour heartbreakingly announced their co-anchor’s death. The show’s executive producer, Sara Just, remembered her colleague, saying:
“Gwen was a standard bearer for courage, fairness and integrity in an industry going through seismic change. She was a mentor to so many across the industry and her professionalism was respected across the political spectrum. She was a journalist’s journalist and set an example for all around her…
So many people in the audience felt that they knew and adored her. She had a tremendous combination of warmth and authority. She was stopped on the street routinely by people who just wanted to give her a hug and considered her a friend after years of seeing her on tv. We will forever miss her terribly.”
PBS CEO Paula Kerger also mourned the loss of the late legend, expressing in a statement:
“Her contributions to thoughtful reporting and civic discourse simply cannot be overstated. She often said that her job was to bring light rather than heat to issues of importance to our society. Gwen did this with grace and steadfast commitment to excellence.”
From President Barack Obama, to journalists like Katie Couric and Wolf Blitzer, to A-listers like Bette Midler and John Legend, notable names are flocking to Twitter to share their sadness.
You can see their posts (below):
“Gwen was a friend of ours. She was an extraordinary journalist” ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥@POTUS on the passing of Gwen Ifill: https://t.co/MncG2mHkhk
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 14, 2016
Very sad news about Gwen Ifill — her voice will be missed. Condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. https://t.co/WO0ahu9GXH
— Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) November 14, 2016
I am mourning the passing of Gwen Ifill, whose commentary and reading of the news I looked to as fair and balanced. But really.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) November 14, 2016
Gwen Ifill was my good friend. I will miss her. May she Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/sB7zUIj93d
— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) November 14, 2016
RIP Gwen Ifill. She was wonderful.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) November 14, 2016
Very sad to learn we have lost Gwen Ifill. Gwen represented the best of broadcast journalism. Our hearts are broken.
— Lester Holt (@LesterHoltNBC) November 14, 2016
.@gwenifill I’m heartbroken and not ready for the past tense with you. Sending all the love in the world to your family and loved ones.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 14, 2016
The extraordinarily timed and intelligent Gwen Ifill has passed away from cancer. I will so miss her impeccable character and friendship.
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) November 14, 2016
Shocked by the sad news of Gwen Ifill’s passing. A first class journalist & human being. My heart breaks. She was too young to have left us.
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) November 14, 2016
RIP @gwenifill
Awful
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 14, 2016
Rest in peace, Gwen.
[Image via Ivan Nikolov/WENN.]
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