Walter Cronkite
Early Life
Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He was the only child of Helen Lena (née Fritsche) and Dr. Walter Leland Cronkite, a dentist. The family moved to Houston, Texas, when Cronkite was ten years old, where he attended public schools and became interested in journalism after working on the school newspaper.
Career Beginnings
Cronkite began his broadcasting career in 1935 at KCMO (AM) in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1936, he met his future wife, Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Maxwell, while working at the station. The couple married in 1940 and had three children: Nancy, Kathy, and Chip.
During World War II, Cronkite served as a war correspondent for the United Press (UP) in Europe. He covered the Normandy landings and the Nuremberg Trials, gaining a reputation for accurate and unbiased reporting.
CBS News
In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News as a correspondent. He was appointed anchorman of the CBS Evening News in 1962, a position he held until his retirement in 1981. During his tenure, Cronkite reported on major events such as the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, the Apollo 11 moon landing, and the Watergate scandal.
Cronkite's reporting style was characterized by his calm demeanor and authoritative voice. He was known for his catchphrase, "And that's the way it is," which he used to conclude his newscasts.
Later Life and Death
After retiring from CBS News, Cronkite continued to work in journalism, contributing to various publications and appearing on television specials. He also served as a special correspondent for CBS and hosted the network's New Year's Eve coverage.
Cronkite was an avid sailor and owned a series of sailboats named "Wanderer." He was also a member of the National Geographic Society and served on its board of trustees.
Cronkite died on July 17, 2009, at his home in New York City. He was 92 years old.
Legacy
Cronkite is widely regarded as one of the most trusted figures in American television history. His reporting style and journalistic integrity have had a profound impact on broadcast journalism. Several awards and scholarships have been established in his name, including the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.