Former CNN anchor Bernard Shaw died Wednesday at the age of 82 of pneumonia, his family announced.
Shaw became the first chief anchor for the network in 1980 and remained with the network for over 20 years. A closed funeral for Shaw will be held for his family at an unannounced date and close friends, along with a public memorial, according to his family.
BRIAN STELTER’S CNN SHOW RELIABLE SOURCES CANCELED BY NETWORK
“Bernie was a CNN original and was our Washington Anchor when we launched on June 1st, 1980,” CNN Chairman and CEO Chris Licht said in a statement. “He was our lead anchor for the next twenty years from anchoring coverage of presidential elections to his iconic coverage of the First Gulf War live from Baghdad in 1991.”
Throughout his tenure at the cable news giant, Shaw moderated presidential debates, co-anchored Inside Politics, and covered momentous stories such as the First Gulf War and Tiananmen Square massacre prior to his retirement in 2001.
Shaw’s family members requested privacy as they mourn, noting his pneumonia was unrelated to COVID-19, CNN reported.
“In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bernard Shaw Scholarship Fund at the University of Chicago. The Shaw family requests complete privacy at this time,” the family said.
Condolences for Shaw poured in as news of his passing spread.
RIP CNN anchor and icon Bernard Shaw, who died yesterday at age 82, per his family.
Deepest condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues.May his memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/3Xh27a0ucH
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) September 8, 2022
Sad news just in this morning that our beloved Bernard Shaw has passed away at age 82. A trailblazer and a true CNN original. Rest in Peace: https://t.co/Dr5CrEuxpY
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) September 8, 2022
Condolences to the family of CNN legend Bernard Shaw. Mr. Shaw’s reporting in Iraq was brave, bold, and inspiring. One of the main reasons I became so inspired to enter the world of journalism. RIP pic.twitter.com/6J6xdYBlub
— Clark Goldband (@ClarkGoldband) September 8, 2022
When I arrived at CNN 29 years ago Bernie Shaw was our editorial compass and anchor in the truest sense of the word. Thank you, Bernie, for showing us how it’s done. Such a good man. May his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/BKyo8Ujnaq
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) September 8, 2022
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“Even after he left CNN, Bernie remained a close member of our CNN family providing our viewers with context about historic events as recently as last year. The condolences of all of us at CNN go out to his wife Linda and his children,” Licht continued.
Shaw is survived by his wife, Linda Allston, and two children, Amar Edgar and Anil Louise.
