Susan Stamberg, a pioneering figure and one of the founding voices of National Public Radio (NPR), passed away on October 16, 2025, at age 87. Known as the first woman to anchor a national nightly news program in the United States, she helped shape NPR’s identity as host of All Things Considered from 1972 to 1986.
Joining NPR at its inception in 1971, Stamberg rose from cutting tape with a razor blade to becoming a broadcasting legend. NPR President Katherine Maher called her “a cornerstone of American life,” praising her blend of warmth and journalistic rigor.
Her influence opened doors for generations of women in media and set the tone for public radio’s personal yet probing style. Stamberg retired in September 2025 after more than five decades in journalism.
