Diane Sawyer
She anchored major programs on two networks, including ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, 20/20, and Primetime at ABC News, and hosted CBS Morning and became the first woman correspondent on 60 Minutes at CBS News. Before her journalism career, she served on U.S.
- field
- Television broadcast journalism
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Anchoring ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, 20/20, Primetime; first
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Diane Sawyer was born in Glasgow, Kentucky, to Jean W. Her father was killed in a car accident in 1969. After college, Sawyer worked as a weather forecaster for WLKY-TV in Louisville, then moved to Washington, D.C., in 1970. In 1973, she was assigned to Nixon's lawyer J. She became the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes in 1984. She remained with ABC News producing documentaries and interview specials.
Reader's Guide
Diane Sawyer's career spans both political service and broadcast journalism, making her a notable figure in American media. Her transition to journalism saw her break barriers as the first woman correspondent on 60 Minutes and anchor major programs on CBS and ABC. Her tenure at ABC World News, alongside Katie Couric at CBS Evening News, marked a period when two of three network evening news anchors were women. Her legacy includes high-profile interviews, such as her 2006 interrogation of Mel Gibson after his DUI arrest, and a sustained presence in morning and evening news.
Did You Know?
- She worked as a weather forecaster for WLKY-TV in Louisville before moving to Washington, D.C.
- Sawyer was assigned to Nixon's lawyer J. Fred Buzhardt in 1973 to help prove John Dean was lying about Watergate.
- She became the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes in 1984.
- Sawyer anchored ABC World News from December 2009 to August 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Diane Sawyer?
She is an American television broadcast journalist who anchored several flagship news and morning programs across two major U.S. networks. Before entering journalism, she worked on the White House staff during Richard Nixon's presidency.
What shows did Diane Sawyer anchor or host?
She helmed ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, 20/20, and Primetime at ABC News. She also hosted CBS Morning and became the first woman to serve as a correspondent on CBS's 60 Minutes.
What was Diane Sawyer's career before broadcast journalism?
She served on President Nixon's White House staff and helped draft his post-presidency memoirs before pivoting to a career in television news.
Why is Diane Sawyer considered a landmark figure in TV journalism?
She broke a major gender barrier by becoming the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes. Her career also made her one of the few journalists to anchor top-rated newscasts and morning shows on both ABC and CBS.
Which networks did Diane Sawyer work for?
She anchored and hosted major programs at both ABC News and CBS News over the span of her broadcasting career.
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