Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Gwen Ifill, one of the most prominent political journalists in the country, has died, according to PBS. She was 61.

in 1999, Ifill became the first African-American woman to host a major political TV talk show. Ifill covered seven presidential campaigns and moderated the vice presidential debates in 2004 and 2008. More recently, she moderated a presidential primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Ifill was also the best-selling author of 

The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama

.
In 2013, Ifill was named co-host of the 

, she reflected on what her appointment could mean to a new generation.



"When I was a little girl watching programs like this — because that's the kind of nerdy family we were — I would look up and not see anyone who looked like me in any way. No women. No people of color," she said. "I'm very keen about the fact that a little girl now, watching the news, when they see me and Judy [Woodruff] sitting side by side, it will occur to them that that's perfectly normal — that it won't seem like any big breakthrough at all."

Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, said Ifill was "a fundamental reason public media is considered a trusted window on the world."

"Her contributions to thoughtful reporting and civic discourse simply cannot be overstated," Kerger said. "She often said that her job was to bring light rather than heat to issues of importance to our society. Gwen did this with grace and steadfast commitment to excellence."

In a news conference, President Obama said he appreciated Ifill's reporting even when she posed tough questions to him.

"She always kept faith with the fundamental responsibility of her profession, asking tough questions, holding people in power accountable and defending a strong and free press that makes our democracy work," Obama said.


Journalist Ray Suarez, who began working at 

"She was evenhanded yet tenacious," Suarez said. "She was exteriorly cool, if that's even a word, but at the same time very emotionally and passionately committed to the work she did."



Ifill was a preacher's daughter. She was born in New York City to a Panamanian immigrant father and a Barbadian mother. She started her journalism career as a print reporter for the 

. She went on to become a national political reporter for 

NPR's Neda Ulaby contributed to this report. 

Arts and Culture

Eyder Peralta

Author

Ifill was a veteran Washington journalist who covered seven presidential campaigns and moderated the vice presidential debates in 2004 and 2008.

Gwen Ifill, host of 'Washington Week', 'PBS Newshour', dies

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox