Date of Birth: September 29, 1955
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: November 14, 2016
Biography
Gwen Ifill was an influential American journalist, television newscaster, and author known for her exceptional work in broadcasting and public affairs. Born in Queens, New York, she grew up in a family deeply rooted in the church, as her father was an African Methodist Episcopal minister. Gwen attended Simmons College in Boston, where she graduated with a degree in communications in 1977. Her career began with internships at newspapers like the Boston Herald American and the Baltimore Evening Sun. She then moved on to work for prominent publications such as The Washington Post and The New York Times. Gwen Ifill made a significant mark in television journalism after joining NBC News in 1994, where she covered the White House. In 1999, Ifill became a moderator and managing editor for PBS’s “Washington Week” and a senior correspondent for the “PBS NewsHour.” Her reputation for fairness, incisive questioning, and insightful commentary earned her widespread respect. Gwen Ifill co-moderated the vice presidential debates in 2004 and 2008, further cementing her role as a leading figure in journalism. Gwen Ifill was also an author, having written the book “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama,” which explored the history and future of African American political leadership.
5 Interesting Facts about Gwen Ifill
1. Gwen Ifill was the first African American woman to moderate a vice presidential debate.
2. She received more than 20 honorary doctorates from various universities.
3. Ifill was the first African American woman to host a prominent national political talk show, “Washington Week.”
4. She was posthumously awarded the 2017 Special Citation from the Peabody Awards for her contributions to journalism.
5. Gwen Ifill served on the board of the Committee to Protect Journalists, an organization dedicated to the global defense of press freedom.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gwen Ifill
1. “My job is to provide the best information I can so people can make their own decisions.”
2. “Journalists are not activists; we have to reflect the world as it is, not as we wish it would be.”
3. “You can be successful without sacrificing your values.”
4. “We should all be trying to learn as much as we can about this world.”
5. “It’s not my job to be popular; it’s my job to be credible.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the time of her passing, Gwen Ifill’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Gwen Ifill did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Gwen Ifill – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwen_Ifill
2. [PBS tribute to Gwen Ifill](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/tag/gwen-ifill