Veteran CBS News Journalist Rita Braver Announces Retirement
Rita Braver, a seasoned broadcast journalist, is set to retire from CBS News by the end of March, concluding an impressive tenure that spans over fifty years. Braver’s decision to retire was shared with colleagues through an internal memo this Wednesday, marking the end of a prolific career at the network.
Since 1998, Braver has been a prominent figure on CBS Sunday Morning, covering a wide array of stories. Her upcoming retirement was confirmed by Rand Morrison, the executive producer of the esteemed news program, through a detailed note to the staff.
Morrison’s communication highlighted Braver’s versatile reporting portfolio. “From breaking news and gentle feature stories to political discussions, arts, theatre, and personal profiles, Rita has tackled them all,” he noted in remarks published by Variety. He added, “Whenever there was a story, Rita was always eager and available to cover it with dedication.”
Braver’s distinguished career at CBS began in 1972 when she joined as a producer. Her journey through the ranks led her to become the chief law correspondent for the network in 1983. Over the next decade, she became a staple across various CBS broadcasts such as CBS Evening News, CBS Morning News, 48 Hours, Street Stories, and Public Eye.
During her tenure as a legal correspondent, Braver reported on major national events, including the exposure of the Walker Family Spy Ring and the Jonathan Pollard espionage case. Her coverage extended to significant episodes like the Iran-Contra affair under President Reagan and the high-profile drug trial of Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry.
From 1993 to 1997, she served as the chief White House correspondent for CBS News, covering major developments during President Bill Clinton’s first term and his subsequent re-election. Braver’s role saw her reporting on a mix of international and domestic issues, including being a floor correspondent at the Democratic Convention.
Upon her transition to CBS Sunday Morning in 1998, Braver continued her streak of high-profile interviews, engaging with figures such as former President Clinton, celebrated authors Phillip Roth, E.L. Doctorow, and Dav Pilkey, and musicians like James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, and John Legend. Her recent works include features on the rise of girls’ wrestling and the comeback of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Merrily We Roll Along.
Throughout her career, Braver has earned nine national Emmy Awards, with accolades for investigative journalism and her reporting on the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
In his memo, Morrison lauded Braver for her “inherent curiosity and readiness to handle any assignment, no matter the complexity.” He also acknowledged the significant impact of her departure, stating, “Describing this as the end of an era hardly captures the challenges we will face without the ability to call on Rita.”
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
