Susan Stamberg, a pioneer in American broadcasting and one of the “founding mothers” of National Public Radio (NPR), has died at the age of 87. NPR announced her death on Thursday, but did not reveal the cause. Stamberg joined the organization in the early 1970s, helping to build it into a trusted national network.
Susan Stamberg was the first woman in US history to anchor a national nightly news program
As per NPR, Susan Stamberg, first woman night news anchor and one of the original staff members of NPR, passed away at the age of 87. Widely regarded as one of the “founding mothers” of NPR, Stamberg became the first woman in the United States to anchor a national nightly news program. Stamberg joined NPR in its earliest days, helping to shape the network’s voice and identity. Over following decades, she became an influential presence. Colleagues often described her as a mentor and a guiding force, “always tough, and always true to herself”.
Her son, Josh Stamberg, remembers her as “a true humanitarian” who believed in transformative power of journalism. “Her life’s work was connection through ideas and culture,” he stated. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Vivian and Lena.
NPR host Scott Simon once commented on Stamberg, saying she was “the first real human being to host a regular evening newscast.” Mindful of the human condition, she broadcast “All Things Considered” with a relaxed demeanor. Reportedly, in 1979, during the presidency of Jimmy Carter, she worked on a 2-hour radio call-in program from the Oval Office. She directed the listeners who wished to speak with Carter on the air.
Her contributions earned her numerous honors, including induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020. The Hall of Fame acknowledged her for her “conversational style, intelligence, and knack for finding an interesting story.”
Having interviewed icons like Nancy Reagan, Rosa Parks, Annie Leibovitz and James Baldwin, Susan Stamberg leaves behind a legacy of fearless journalism and human connection: one that transformed the sound of American public radio.
