Who Was Bob Edwards? Age, Children, Parents, Siblings, Wife, Net Worth, Biography, and more
Bob Edwards, the longtime National Public Radio host who became a trusted voice in the lives of millions of public radio listeners, passed away on February 10, 2024, at the age of 76. His wife, NPR reporter Windsor Johnston, confirmed his death in a Facebook post, saying he died peacefully at his home in Arlington, Virginia, after a long illness.
Edwards was best known for hosting NPR’s flagship program, Morning Edition, from its inception in 1979 until 2004, when he was controversially removed from the show by NPR management. He then moved to Sirius XM Radio, where he hosted The Bob Edwards Show and Edwards Weekend until 2015. He also wrote several books, including a biography of Edward R. Murrow, his journalistic idol.
Edwards was widely admired for his distinctive voice, his insightful interviews, his journalistic integrity, and his passion for radio. He won numerous awards, including a Peabody Award, a duPont-Columbia Award, and a Marconi Award. He was also inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2004.
Bob Edwards Wiki/Bio
| Name | Bob Edwards |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Alan Edwards |
| Birth date | May 16, 1947 |
| Birth place | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Death date | February 10, 2024 |
| Death place | Arlington, Virginia, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Long illness |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Education | University of Louisville, American University |
| Occupation | Broadcast journalist, radio host, author |
| Years active | 1968-2015 |
| Spouses | Joan Murphy (divorced), Sharon Kelly (divorced), Windsor Johnston (m. 2011) |
| Children | Susannah Edwards, Eleanor Edwards |
| Siblings | Joe Edwards |
| Awards | Peabody Award, duPont-Columbia Award, Marconi Award, National Radio Hall of Fame |
| Notable works | Morning Edition, The Bob Edwards Show, Bob Edwards Weekend, Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism, A Voice in the Box: My Life in Radio, The Life of Riley: The Jackie Gleason Story |
| Links | Wikipedia- @Bob_Edwards Homepage- Newsunzip |
Biography
Bob Edwards was born on May 16, 1947 (age: 76 years, when died), in Louisville, Kentucky, to a homemaking mother and an accountant father. He became interested in radio, and pursued a radio career, from a young age. He was a graduate of St. Xavier High School in 1965 and the University of Louisville in 1969. He also earned an M.A. in communication from American University in Washington, D.C., in 1972.
Edwards began his radio career in 1968 at a small radio station in New Albany, Indiana, a town located across the Ohio River from Louisville. Afterward, she served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, producing and anchoring television and radio news programs for the American Forces Korea Network from Seoul. Following his army service, he went on to anchor news for WTOP, a CBS affiliate, in Washington, D.C.
In 1972, at age 25, Edwards anchored national newscasts for the Mutual Broadcasting System. He joined NPR in 1974 as a newscaster. Before hosting Morning Edition, he was co-host of All Things Considered, NPR’s afternoon news program.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 11 inches
- Weight: 84 kg
- Eye color: Blue
- Body measurements: Not available
Morning Edition and Beyond
Bob Edwards hosted NPR’s Morning Edition, the network’s most popular program, from its launch in November 1979 until April 2004. He was the first and longest-serving host in the show’s history. During his tenure, he interviewed thousands of guests, from presidents and celebrities to ordinary people with extraordinary stories. He also covered major events, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 9/11 attacks, and the Iraq War.
He developed a loyal following of listeners who appreciated his calm, authoritative, and conversational style. He also had a rapport with his co-workers, especially the reporters and correspondents who contributed to the show. He was known for his signature sign-off, “I’m Bob Edwards, thanks for listening.”
In 2004, Edwards was abruptly removed from Morning Edition by NPR management, who said they wanted to revamp the show and make it more lively and diverse. The decision sparked an outcry from listeners and colleagues, who protested the move and praised Edwards’ work. Bob himself was shocked and hurt by the change, saying he felt betrayed and humiliated.
Edwards left NPR and joined Sirius XM Radio, where he hosted The Bob Edwards Show, a daily interview program, and Edwards Weekend, a weekly compilation of his best interviews, from 2004 to 2015. He also continued to write books, including Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism (2004), A Voice in the Box: My Life in Radio (2011), and The Life of Riley: The Jackie Gleason Story (2017).
Remembering Bob Edwards, the Legendary NPR Host Who Died at 76
Bob Edwards, the radio journalist who hosted NPR’s ‘Morning Edition’ for nearly 25 years and became a familiar voice to millions of Americans, died on February 10, 2024, at the age of 76. His wife, NPR reporter Windsor Johnston, announced his death on Facebook, saying he had lung cancer.
Edwards was one of the most influential and respected figures in public radio, and a pioneer in the medium. He interviewed presidents, world leaders, celebrities, authors, and ordinary people with extraordinary stories. He covered major events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 9/11 attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the 2000 presidential election.
He also hosted his own interview show on Sirius XM Radio and Public Radio International from 2004 to 2015, after leaving NPR in a controversial move. He was a Peabody Award-winning member of the National Radio Hall of Fame, and a mentor to many journalists who followed in his footsteps.
How He Died
Edwards died of complications from lung cancer on February 10, 2024, at his home in Arlington, Virginia. He was surrounded by his family and friends. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
He had been diagnosed with the disease in 2023, and had undergone treatment, but it was not enough to save him. He had kept his illness private, and continued to work until a few weeks before his death.
His wife, NPR reporter Windsor Johnston, confirmed his death in a Facebook post, saying, “He was my best friend, my soulmate, and my hero. He was also a loving father, a devoted brother, and a loyal friend to many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and loved him.”
She also thanked the doctors, nurses, and hospice workers who cared for him, and the fans and colleagues who supported him.
Wife, Kids
Bob Edwards was married three times. His first two marriages, to Joan Murphy and Sharon Kelly, ended in divorce. He had two daughters from his second marriage, Susannah and Eleanor Edwards. He married his third wife, NPR reporter Windsor Johnston, in 2011. He also had a brother, Joe Edwards, who was a musician and a radio host.
Edwards was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015, which affected his speech and mobility. He retired from radio in 2015 and spent his last years at his home in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife and his dog, Buster.
Edwards was widely regarded as one of the most influential and respected radio journalists of his generation. He was praised for his professionalism, his curiosity, his empathy, and his dedication to public radio. He inspired many listeners and colleagues with his passion for storytelling and his love for radio. He was remembered as a legend, a mentor, and a friend by many who knew him and worked with him.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $1.5 million |
| 2022 | $2 million |
| 2023 | $6.5 million |
