Who Was Susan Stamberg? All About NPR's First Female News Anchor, A Trailblazer Of Modern Journalism

The world of journalism has lost one of its most pioneering voices. Susan Stamberg, the first woman to ever host a national programme in the United States and one of the ‘founding mothers’ of National Public Radio (NPR), has passed away. The veteran journalist was 87 at the time of her passing. The news of her death was confirmed by NPR on Thursday, October 16, 2025 (ET).

The exact cause of Susan Stamberg’s death has yet to be revealed, and tributes have been pouring in for the veteran journalist. As the industry mourns her demise, we take a walk down memory lane to remember the iconic woman whose voice helped shape the sound and soul of public radio for more than five decades.

Susan Stamberg: the voice that redefined American public radio

Susan Stamberg’s decades-long journey with radio and broadcasting began in the early 1970s, when she joined National Public Radio. Back then, public radio was still finding its footing. In 1972, Susan made history as the first woman in the U.S. to anchor a nightly news broadcast with the show All Things Considered. 

When Stamberg joined NPR, it was primarily dominated by men, and there was not a single woman in broadcast journalism to look up to. So she took it upon herself to make her own unique mark. The broadcast legend has admitted that she initially tried to imitate the men on air, but it all changed when NPR program director Bill Siemering enlightened her with life-changing advice: “Be yourself”.

Susan’s authentic take on broadcast journalism became her signature. She brought a unique warmth with her conversational and curious approach, which transformed the sound of NPR. Her voice was what the public broadcaster needed to bring about revolutionary change in the industry. Stamberg’s interviews featured numerous renowned personalities, ranging from presidents like Jimmy Carter to cultural icons like Rosa Parks, James Baldwin, and Annie Leibovitz.

She was the ‘Founding Mother’ of National Public Radio

Susan Stamberg was a trailblazer in broadcast journalism, who herself famously coined the term ‘Founding Mothers’ to describe herself and her NPR colleagues, Cokie Roberts, Nina Totenberg, and Linda Wertheimer. Together, these women built the foundation for public radio journalism of the modern day.

Stamberg had a good 14-year tenure at All Things Considered, during which she helped shape countless NPR traditions, including the much-loved Sunday Puzzle with Will Shortz on Weekend Edition Sunday. After leaving the show, she worked as a cultural correspondent for Morning Edition and Weekend Edition Saturday, keeping with the trend of bringing story-driven journalism to listeners around the world. 

The industry remembers Susan Stamberg’s lasting legacy

Throughout her decades-long illustrious career, Susan Stamberg was honoured with numerous prestigious accolades, including the Edward R. Murrow Award, induction into both the Broadcasting Hall of Fame (1994) and the National Radio Hall of Fame (1996), and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020. NPR remembers her as a ‘true humanitarian’ who believed in the power of journalism to connect people through stories. 

As a pioneering figure, Stamberg deeply influenced the next generation of journalists, especially women. She became the role model they looked up to for bringing their authentic and fearless voices in a predominantly male-orientated industry. After her death, NPR’s president and CEO, Katherine Maher, wrote on X:

“Susan’s voice was not only a cornerstone of NPR — it was a cornerstone of American life. She showed that journalism could be both rigorous and deeply personal. She inspired countless journalists to believe they could explore life and truth, and lead with both authority and warmth.”

Inside Susan Stamberg’s personal life

Before becoming Susan Stamberg, she was Susan Levitt. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938, she grew up in Manhattan and graduated from Barnard College in 1959, being the first in her family to do so. It was during her stay in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that she met her late husband, Louis Stamberg. The pair got married in 1962 and remained together until Louis’ passing in 2007.

The couple had a son, Josh Stamberg, who grew up to be a beloved actor, best known for his work in the Lifetime comedy-drama series Drop Dead Diva. Stamberg is now survived by Josh and her granddaughters, Vivian and Lena. 

Even into her later years, Stamberg continued to champion the medium she loved, reminding listeners that “sound and stories told through audio are as primal as your mother’s voice — the first sound you ever hear.” The NPR legend took her retirement in September 2025, just weeks before her passing.

Rest in peace, Susan Stamberg, the woman who didn’t just report the news but reshaped American journalism, breaking barriers with her voice, warmth, and unwavering authenticity.

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