Most people’s excitement for work deteriorates as they become older, but not Dan Rather’s. He doesn’t appear to be slowing down at the age of 86; rather, he continues to make newspaper headlines and his audience applauds his reporting and anchoring.
During his four decades at CBS, Dan Rather, a multiple-award-winning journalist, covered some of the most important historical events of his time, including the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the Watergate affair. Rathers now hosts The News With Dan Rathers, a weekly show on YouTube’s The Young Turks.
Listen to Dan Rathers discuss US President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and their historic meeting on The News With Dan Rather (published on 11 June 2018)
His followers clearly know a lot about his business life, but they don’t know much about his personal life because he rarely speaks about it. However, we were able to obtain some details regarding his personal life, so if you’re curious, keep reading till the conclusion!
Biography of Dan Rather
Dan Rather was born on October 31, 1931, in Wharton, Texas, to middle-class parents Byrl Veda and Daniel Irvin Rather.
When he was still a child, his family moved to Houston. Dan began his studies at Hamilton Middle School and went on to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, where he earned a journalism degree in 1953.
Early Prodigy to Veteran Journalist: Dan Rather’s Career
Dan got his start in the broadcasting industry while still a student. He began his broadcasting career at a small local radio station before moving on to KTRH-Radio in Houston.
Dan joined KHOU-TV, CBS’ Houston affiliate, as head of news and public affairs in 1960. When his live coverage of Hurricane Carla drew the eye of network officials the next year, he was offered a job as a CBS correspondent. In March 1962, he started working at CBS.
Dan’s big break came in 1975 when he was hired as a correspondent for 60 Minutes, where he stayed until 1981. Dan also hosted and reported for the CBS show 48 Hours, which is also a popular show.
Dan was a newscaster for CBS for almost 40 years and was well-known for his work on the CBS Evening News.
However, his coverage of the Killian documents controversy on CBS Evening News drew a lot of flak.
Six claimed documents disparaging of President George W. Bush’s Texas Air National Guard service were included among the materials. CBS certified four of the publications out of a total of six.
The font used on the documents contains characteristics that closely match the normal font features of Microsoft Word, leading to charges that the memos were forgeries, which circulated throughout the mainstream media over the next few days.
Dan and CBS defended the report by claiming that specialists had verified the documents, but it was later shown that CBS had failed to do so.
Following that, CBS dismissed story producer Mary Mapes and requested three other story producers to quit. Some speculate that this incident accelerated Rather’s departure from CBS.
Who Is Dan Rathers Married Too?
Dan has a nice married life with his wife Jean Goebel, according to his personal life. Dan met Jean in 1956 while working as a news director for KTRH, where she was employed as a secretary.
Dan married Jean in 1957 without devoting any more time to courtship. In 1958, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Robin, and two years later, in 1960, a son named Danjack.
Dan Rather and his wife, Jean Goebel, during an event (photo courtesy of Zimbio.com).
The happily married pair currently resides in Texas. Dan stated in a November 2017 interview with The Washington Post that his wife Jean is very health-conscious and is the reason he is still alive at the age of 86.
Dan is not only physically fit, but he is also professionally fit. With Dan Rathers still hosting a number of shows at the age of 86, ranging from The Big Interview to The News With Dan Rathers, and being outspoken on political issues, it appears that nothing short of death will be able to stop him.
