George W. Bush Pays Tribute to Late Journalist Cokie Roberts after Her Breast Cancer-Related Death

Legendary ABC News and NPR journalist Cokie Roberts passed away this week. One of the people who has paid tribute to her is former President George W. Bush.

Journalist and political commentator Cokie Roberts passed away at the age of 75 from complications related to breast cancer. Roberts covered the Bush political family for years and when the world mourned the death of President George H.W. Bush in December, she was there.

On Tuesday his son, former President George W. Bush took to Instagram with a heartfelt tribute to the fallen journalist. In a statement, he wrote: “We are deeply saddened that Cokie Roberts is no longer with us.”

He explained:

“She covered us for decades as a talented, tough, and fair reporter. We respected her drive and appreciated her humor. She became a friend.”

The former president also included a family photo that featured Roberts. At the time they were at The Bush Center a year ago for the “Remembering Barbara Bush” program.

Another former president who honored her was Barack Obama and his wife Michele. In a statement, Barack said: “Michelle and I are sad to hear about the passing of Cokie Roberts.”

He further remembered her as “a trailblazing figure; a role model to young women at a time when the profession was still dominated by men.” Barack explained how she’d become a “constant over forty years.”

He credited her for “shifting media landscape and changing world, informing voters about the issues of our time and mentoring young journalists every step of the way.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also described Roberts as a “trailblazer.”

She stated how the journalist “transformed the role of women in the newsroom and in our history books.” Pelosi noted how Roberts’ “warmth, wit, and wisdom” would “be deeply missed by all.”

Roberts began her career at CBS, moved to National Public Radio (NPR) and then ABC. She was one of the few women who had a ranking position in newsrooms.

In a statement, her family said: "We will miss Cokie beyond measure, both for her contributions and for her love and kindness.” Fellow NPR reporter Nina Totenberg wrote on Twitter that "the world will be a lesser place" without her colleague.

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway also paid tribute to the late journalist by calling her “kind” and someone who “disagreed agreeably.” Roberts was a bestselling authoress and Emmy Award winner.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, journalist Steven Roberts, their children Lee and Rebecca Roberts and six grandchildren.