Cokie Roberts

Cokie Roberts was an acclaimed American journalist and bestselling author who became a pioneering figure in political reporting and analysis. Over a career spanning more than four decades, she served as a longtime correspondent for NPR and ABC News, providing trusted coverage of Congress, national politics, and policy. Her insightful commentary, delivered on programs like Morning Edition and This Week with George Stephanopoulos, made her a familiar voice and face to millions, earning her numerous accolades including three Emmy Awards. Roberts also authored several popular works of historical nonfiction focusing on the roles of women in American history.

Early life and education

Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs was born into a prominent political family in New Orleans; her father, Hale Boggs, was a powerful Democratic Congressman from Louisiana who later served as House Majority Leader, and her mother, Lindy Boggs, succeeded him in Congress. She acquired the nickname "Cokie" from her brother's childhood mispronunciation of "Corinne." Raised primarily in Bethesda, Maryland, she was immersed in the world of Washington, D.C. politics from an early age. Roberts attended the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart before earning a degree in political science from Wellesley College in 1964.

Career

Roberts began her journalism career at the public affairs program The Lawmakers on WETA-TV in Washington, D.C.. She joined CBS News as a foreign correspondent based in Athens, Greece, before returning to cover national politics. Her career-defining tenure began at NPR in 1978, where she became a congressional correspondent and later a contributing senior news analyst, offering sharp analysis on Morning Edition and All Things Considered. In 1988, she also began working for ABC News, serving as a political commentator and contributing analyst for programs like This Week with David Brinkley and World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. She was a regular panelist on the Capital Gang on CNN and co-anchored the network's coverage of national political conventions. Roberts was a bestselling author, writing books such as We Are Our Mothers' Daughters, Founding Mothers, and Ladies of Liberty, which highlighted the contributions of women to American history.

Personal life

In 1966, she married fellow journalist Steven V. Roberts, who later became a professor at The George Washington University. The couple had two children, Lee and Rebecca, and were known for their collaborative writing and public discussions about marriage and family. They resided in Bethesda, Maryland. Her family's deep political connections continued through her mother, Lindy Boggs, who served as United States Ambassador to the Holy See, and her brother, Thomas Hale Boggs Jr., a renowned Washington lobbyist. Roberts was a practicing Roman Catholic and often spoke about the intersection of faith and public life.

Awards and honors

Throughout her distinguished career, Roberts received widespread recognition for her journalistic excellence. She was a three-time winner of the Emmy Award and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2008, the Radio-Television News Directors Association honored her with the Paul White Award, its highest recognition for lifetime achievement in electronic journalism. Her alma mater, Wellesley College, awarded her an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. The Library of Congress named her a "Living Legend" in 2000 for her contributions to the cultural heritage of the United States.

Death and legacy

Cokie Roberts died from complications of breast cancer in Washington, D.C., on September 17, 2019. Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the political and media spectrum, including statements from former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as colleagues at NPR and ABC News. She is remembered as a trailblazer for women in journalism, breaking barriers in a male-dominated field and mentoring countless younger reporters. Her legacy endures through her body of work, her advocacy for historical scholarship on women, and the Cokie Roberts Fellowship for young women journalists established in her name by the International Women's Media Foundation.

Category:American journalists Category:American radio personalities Category:ABC News people Category:1943 births Category:2019 deaths