Cokie Roberts
American journalist.
Cokie Roberts was an American journalist. She received the nickname Cokie from her brother Tommy, who as a child could not pronounce her given name, Corinne.
- field
- Journalism, authorship
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Political reporting and analysis for NPR, PBS, and ABC News; co-anchor of This W
Lore & Background
Roberts's first job in journalism was at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., where she was host of its weekly public affairs program Meeting of the Minds. She also moved with her husband to Greece, where she was a stringer for CBS News in Athens. Roberts began working for National Public Radio in 1978, working as the congressional correspondent for more than 10 years.
Reader's Guide
Cokie Roberts was a pioneering female journalist who helped reshape political reporting in Washington, D.C., at a time when women were rarely seen in top roles. Her legacy includes numerous awards, including the Edward R. Her career exemplified how sustained, authoritative reporting on government and politics could inform public discourse.
Did You Know?
- Cokie Roberts was born in New Orleans to Lindy Boggs and Hale Boggs, each of whom served for decades as Democratic members of the House of Representatives from Louisiana; Lindy succeeded Hale after his plane disappeared over Alaska in 1972.
- She received the nickname Cokie from her brother Tommy, who as a child could not pronounce her given name, Corinne.
- Her coverage of the Iran–Contra Affair for The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour won her the Edward Weintal Prize for Diplomatic Reporting in 1988.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cokie Roberts?
Cokie Roberts was an American journalist and author who spent decades covering and analyzing politics for major broadcast networks. Born Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne in New Orleans in 1943, she became widely recognized by her nickname and her distinctive on-air presence.
What was Cokie Roberts's role at NPR?
She is celebrated as one of NPR's "Founding Mothers," a small group of women who helped shape the network during its formative years. Alongside Susan Stamberg, Linda Wertheimer, and Nina Totenberg, she was a foundational voice in building NPR's identity.
What television shows did Cokie Roberts work on?
Her broadcast career spanned NPR's Morning Edition, PBS's The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, and ABC's World News Tonight. She also served as a co-anchor on ABC's This Week, one of the network's longest-running political discussion programs.
What books did Cokie Roberts write?
In addition to her on-air work, she authored books exploring women's contributions to American history. Her written projects gave her a wider canvas for the same investigative storytelling she brought to the broadcast booth.
When and where did Cokie Roberts die?
She passed away on September 17, 2019, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 75. Her death marked the end of a career that spanned more than four decades in American journalism.
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