Former NPR radio host Bob Edwards died ‘peacefully’ this weekend at the age of 76.
The radio legend’s wife, NPR reporter Windsor Johnston, announced Edwards’ death on Facebook, writing, “It is with deepest hearts to share that Bob Edwards passed away peacefully Saturday evening.” His daughters Susannah, Nora and I were with him when he took his last breath.”
Edwards worked for National Public Radio for 30 years, from 1974 to 2004, first serving as co-host of “All Things Considered” before running “Morning Edition” for 25 years.
The station was widely criticized when it removed him from ‘Morning Edition’ in 2004 – the same year he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.
Radio legend Bob Edwards, who became a well-known voice across America during his 30-year career at NPR, died this weekend at the age of 76.
Edwards (left) and his wife of 12 years Windsor Johnston. The couple lived together in Washington, DC. Edwards has two daughters from his second marriage, which ended in divorce
The outrage reached as far as the United States Senate, where Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois condemned NPR’s decision.
“It turns out that members of Congress on both sides of the aisle feel the same way I do: that this decision by National Public Radio is the wrong decision; that Bob Edwards, who has not only been the host of this program but also the most successful morning voice in America, is being dismissed from this assignment in a situation and circumstance that is almost impossible to understand,” he said.
Edwards officially left NPR soon after to launch “The Bob Edwards Show” on XM Satellite Radio, which lasted for ten years.
He was married three times before his death and had two daughters with his second wife.
Johnston, whom Edwards married 12 years ago, wrote: “It is unbearable to think of life without him, but until we meet again I will continue to listen to that beautiful voice in my ear, wishing me happiness and saying that I’ve got to break. a lip.”‘
Johnston described the last moments of Edwards’ life.
“He smiled as we played the well wishes, loving memories and messages of healing that you all kindly agreed to record for him.
“A tear slid down his face as he listened to those familiar voices under the bed of the old Morning Edition theme.
‘The broadcasting world has lost a colossus. Bob was an absolute master of his craft and left an indelible mark on the field of journalism.
‘He had an eye for even the smallest details and lived by the philosophy that ‘less is more’. He helped pave the way for the younger generation of journalists who continue to make NPR what it is today.
“On a personal level, Bob was the absolute love of my life. He was an extremely loving and supportive partner, not to mention my greatest admirer.
“He and I were together for fourteen years and recently celebrated twelve years of marriage,” she wrote.
The couple lived together in Washington, DC.
Bob Edwards (right) and Susan Stamberg (left). The pair co-hosted NPR’s flagship evening news program “All Things Considered” until Bob launched “Morning Edition”
Edwards and his wife of 12 years, Windsor Johnston, who announced his death on Monday
Radio host Bob Edwards prepares for an interview with Caroline Kennedy at the SiriusXM studios on April 26, 2011 in Washington, DC – after leaving NPR, Edwards went to SiriusXM where he hosted a show for 10 years
NPR CEO John Lansing said Monday that the network “along with those millions of listeners will remember Bob Edwards with gratitude.”
No cause of death was shared, but in September 2023, Edwards posted on his personal Facebook page about “major cancer surgery.”
“I love living in the District of Columbia, one of our country’s greatest assets and perhaps the only one without ocean beaches. Flat on my back from major cancer surgery, I have just been called back to jury duty. So DC!’
On Monday morning, NPR CEO John Lansing said in a statement: “Bob Edwards understood the intimate and distinctly personal connection with audiences that sets audio journalism apart from other media, and for decades he was a trusted voice in the lives of millions of public radio listeners. .
“The NPR staff and the entire network, along with those millions of listeners, will remember Bob Edwards with gratitude.”