Susan Page

Susan Page is an acclaimed American journalist and author who has served as the Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today since 2008. A veteran political reporter, she is widely recognized for her coverage of the White House, Congress, and national politics, and for her bestselling biographies of influential First Ladies. Her work is distinguished by deep sourcing and a narrative style that illuminates the personal dynamics within the highest levels of American politics.

Early life and education

Born in Wichita, Kansas, she developed an early interest in current events and storytelling. She pursued her passion for journalism at the prestigious University of Missouri School of Journalism, from which she earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree. Her education at one of the nation's top journalism programs provided a foundation in rigorous reporting and ethics in journalism, principles that have guided her career. Following graduation, she began her professional journey in newspaper journalism, laying the groundwork for her future in Washington, D.C..

Career

Page's career in Washington journalism spans several decades, beginning with roles at newspapers like Newsday and the Detroit Free Press. She joined the staff of USA Today in 1988, where she has held several pivotal positions, including White House correspondent and political editor. As Washington Bureau Chief, she oversees the paper's coverage of the presidency, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court. She is a regular moderator for high-profile political forums, including those hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Des Moines Register, and is a frequent analyst on programs such as PBS NewsHour and CNN. Her reporting has provided insight into administrations from George H. W. Bush through Joe Biden, and she has conducted landmark interviews with figures like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former First Lady Barbara Bush.

Personal life

She is married to fellow journalist Carl Leubsdorf, the former Washington bureau chief for The Dallas Morning News. The couple resides in the Washington metropolitan area and are part of the city's long-standing community of political reporters. They have one son. Her personal experiences as a journalist in the nation's capital have informed her understanding of the intersection between media, politics, and personal life, a theme often explored in her writing.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades for her journalism. She is the recipient of the prestigious Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency and the Aldo Beckman Award for overall excellence in White House coverage. Her work has also been honored by organizations like the National Press Foundation and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2020, she was named the inaugural journalist-in-residence at the University of Texas at Austin's Moody College of Communication, reflecting her status as a respected mentor in the field.

Works

She is the author of several critically acclaimed biographies that delve into the lives of transformative political figures. Her book, *The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty*, published in 2019, became a *New York Times* bestseller and was praised for its intimate portrait of the Republican matriarch. Her subsequent work, *Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power* (2021), offers a definitive account of the career of the first woman to serve as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Her upcoming biography of Barbara Walters is highly anticipated. These works are published by Twelve and are celebrated for their meticulous research and compelling narrative drive.

Category:American journalists Category:USA Today people Category:American biographers Category:University of Missouri alumni Category:Writers from Wichita, Kansas Category:1951 births Category:Living people