Renowned ABC News journalist and political commentator Cokie Roberts has died at the age of 75.
Roberts won countless awards, including three Emmys, throughout her decades-long career.
She has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame and was cited by the American Women in Radio and Television as one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting.
She was named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress in 2008.
“We will miss Cokie beyond measure, both for her contributions and for her love and kindness,” her family said in a statement.
Her death was due to complications from breast cancer.
Roberts, born Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs, said she got the name “Cokie” from her older brother, who couldn’t pronounce Corinne and dubbed her Cokie instead.
The name stuck with her ever since.
“Cokie Roberts will be dearly missed,” said James Goldston, president of ABC News. “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.”
Roberts was “a true pioneer for women in journalism,” Goldston said, “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.”
Renowned ABC News journalist and political commentator Cokie Roberts has died at the age of 75.
Roberts was cited as one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting and was named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress in 2008. https://t.co/VSSjXQwQOL pic.twitter.com/FttVv01SV9
— ABC News (@ABC) September 17, 2019
She is survived by her husband, fellow journalist Steven Roberts, her children, Lee and Rebecca and her six grandchildren.
President Trump reacted to the death by saying “she never treated me nicely” before adding that she was “a real professional” and wishing her family well.
“I never met her,” Trump told reporters traveling with him on Air Force One. “She never treated me nicely. But I would like to wish her family well. She was a professional, and I respect professionals. I respect you guys a lot, you people a lot. She was a real professional. Never treated me well, but I certainly respect her as a professional.”
Former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush were among other politicians who reacted to Roberts’s death on Tuesday.
“She was a trailblazing figure; a role model to young women at a time when the profession was still dominated by men; a constant over forty years of a shifting media landscape and changing world, informing voters about the issues of our time and mentoring young journalists every step of the way,” Obama said in a statement.
Bush and former first lady Laura Bush said in a joint statement that Roberts “covered us for decades as a talented, tough, and fair reporter.”
“We respected her drive and appreciated her humor. She became a friend,” they added.
Other reaction:
I liked and respected Cokie Roberts very much. She understood people and politics. For nearly half a century, she was an institution in American journalism—tough but fair, insightful, and with a voice all her own. She’ll be missed.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 17, 2019
Cokie Roberts was a pioneer. Relentless in her pursuit of the truth and steadfast in her commitment to breaking down barriers for women in journalism—our country is better because of it. @DrBiden and I send our prayers to her loved ones at this time. https://t.co/ARA804negW
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 17, 2019
We’ve lost a true pioneer in Cokie Roberts. She was the best. I love the picture in this story of their all women NPR team from 1979. https://t.co/RZ5BAkO8Pe
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) September 17, 2019
Cokie Roberts was a trailblazer who transformed the role of women in the newsroom & our history books as she told the stories of the unsung women who built our nation. Her warmth, wit and wisdom will be deeply missed by all. https://t.co/24k1sqAkGQ
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 17, 2019
The work of political journalists is critical to our democracy.
Cokie Roberts was a paragon of that work and a pioneer in her industry. Her voice will be missed.
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) September 17, 2019
Cokie Roberts was universally respected for her pioneering journalism and the conviction with which she reported. Those qualities made Cokie an American political institution. I’m honored to have called her a friend and will greatly miss her warm presence & thoughtful commentary.
— Al Gore (@algore) September 17, 2019
Cokie Roberts was kind. She disagreed agreeably. Cokie listened, offered advice, showed patience and poise, worked hard, put faith & family first. God bless. RIP. https://t.co/De5scz18ta
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) September 17, 2019