NEW ORLEANS – Veteran journalist and author Cokie Roberts has passed away after battling breast cancer. She was 75.
Roberts, who was born Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Boggs in New Orleans, was the daughter of House Majority Leader Hale Boggs and Vatican Ambassador Lindy Boggs.
Roberts’ family released the following statement:
“Her loving family announces the passing of journalist and author Cokie Roberts, due to complications from breast cancer, on September 17. Born Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs on December 27, 1943, Cokie was – first and foremost – a wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin and friend. Cokie’s career as a journalist at National Public Radio and ABC News took her to the heights of her profession, and her success as an author on history and family put her on the best seller list. But her values put family and relationships above all else. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, journalist, author and professor Steven V. Roberts, her children Lee Roberts and Rebecca Roberts, her grandchildren Regan, Hale and Cecilia Roberts and Claiborne, Jack and Roland Hartman, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by friendships and by causes that she put her time, resources and energy into that are too numerous to count. We would like to thank the staff at the National Institutes of Health for their dedication, expertise, work and incredible care for Cokie during her illness. We will miss Cokie beyond measure, both for her contributions and for her love and kindness. We are hopeful that Cokie now goes to join her parents, former Members of Congress Hale and Lindy Boggs, her siblings Barbara, Tom and William, who predecease her, and her God.”
