Gwen Ifill, a longtime PBS News anchor, died on Monday, November 14, WETA president and CEO Sharon Percy Rockefeller has confirmed. She was 61.
"I am very sad to tell you that our dear friend and beloved colleague Gwen Ifill passed away today in hospice care in Washington," Rockefeller wrote in an email to staff on Monday, Politico reports. "I spent an hour with her this morning and she was resting comfortably, surrounded by loving family and friends … Earlier today, I conveyed to Gwen the devoted love and affection of all of us at WETA/NewsHour. Let us hold Gwen and her family even closer now in our hearts and prayers."
The prominent African-American journalist, who moderated two vice president debates in 2004 and 2008, as well as a primary debate between Senator Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier this year, took a leave of absence last week during the election and in May due to health issues related to cancer.
"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," PBS NewsHour executive producer Sara Just said in a statement to Politico. "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."
Ifill, who graduated from Simmons College in Boston, worked for The Washington Post, The New York Times and NBC before she first became a moderator for PBS’ Washington Week in Review in 1999. Ifill, who also penned best-selling book The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, was scheduled to receive the 2016 John Chancellor Award from Columbia University on Wednesday, November 16.
Katie Couric and more celebs have taken to social media to remember the journalist:
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
I am saddened to learn about the passing of Gwen Ifill—an incredibly talented and respected journalist.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) November 14, 2016
Heartbroken to learn Gwen Ifill has passed away. She was my hero, a woman who deserved all the praise she received. Honest and true
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) November 14, 2016
Sadness beyond words.I know so many women, black women who believed they could succeed because of Gwen Ifill.She made us feel we could do it
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) November 14, 2016
If you didn't know #GwenIfill, look her up. A trailblazer, a journalist, a woman of integrity and valor. May she rest in everlasting peace.
— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) November 14, 2016
Just heartbroken about losing Gwen Ifill. She owned every beat she was on, whether at the @nytimes @NBCNews or @NewsHour or anywhere else
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) November 14, 2016
Personally, I'm sorry I can't thank Gwen one more time for always being there for advice and encouragement. She was one of a kind
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) November 14, 2016
