LONGTIME PBS JOURNALIST AND ANCHOR, JIM LEHRER, DIES AT 85

For 36 years, Jim Lehrer worked as a PBS anchor and co-founded the PBS NewsHour. On Thursday, January 23rd, Lehrer died “peacefully in his sleep,” according to PBS. 

What We Know:

  • Jim Lehrer was a retired PBS anchorman of 36 years. He gave his public audience important access to network evening news programs with interviews, in-depth reporting, and analysis of both affairs on a national and world scale. 
  • LehrerLehrer died Thursday, January 23rd at his Washington home at the age of 85. PBS announced his death. 
  • Jim Lehrer was the co-founder and anchor of PBS NewsHour. He also appeared 12 times as a presidential debate moderator. He has over 20 novels and appeared in six films and television shows. 
  • Many of the PBS NewsHour staff have discussed their respect and memories of Lehrer. Praising him and his impact on their lives and careers.
  • Lehrer had a large impact on journalism and reporting due to his 9 rules of journalism and his approach to reporting known as “MacNeil-Lehrer style of journalism”.
  • Lehrer had suffered a heart attack in 1983 and more recently, had undergone heart valve surgery in April 2008. However, his death was of natural causes. 

Jim Lehrer left behind his wife of 60 years, three children, and six grandchildren. There are no further details regarding his funeral.