*Monday’s edition of “PBS NewsHour” was dedicated to Gwen Ifill, the program’s beloved co-anchor who died of cancer hours earlier at age 61.
“Our lead tonight is news that we hoped we would never have to report,” an emotional Judy Woodruff said. “Our managing editor, my co-anchor and dear friend Gwen Ifill died earlier today after an almost year-long battle with cancer.
“She was a supernova in a profession loaded with smart and talented people,” Woodruff added. “So it’s no surprise that messages of condolence have flooded in all afternoon from across the journalism and political spectrum.”
PBS’ tribute began with a look at her journalism career — which began at the Boston Herald American before moving onto the Baltimore Evening Sun, the Washington Post, and the New York Times. She eventually made the move to broadcast, working for NBC News in 1994. In 1999, she moved to PBS. In 2013, Ifill and Woodruff became the first all-female network anchor team.
Also on Monday’s broadcast, colleagues paid loving tribute to Ifill, fighting back tears. Watch the entire tribute below:
Earlier Monday, President Obama paid tribute to the journalist at the top of his press conference.
“I always appreciated Gwen’s reporting even when I was on the receiving end of one of her tough and thorough interviews,” Obama said. “She not only informed today’s citizens but she also inspired tomorrow’s journalists.
“Michelle and I join her family and her colleagues and everybody else who loved her in remembering her fondly today.”
Watch below:
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