Dan Rather’s wife Jean Rather has died at the age 89 following a battle with cancer, friends of the family announced in a Facebook post Tuesday.
‘Today is the saddest of days for Dan and the extended Rather family,’ the post read. ‘Jean Rather, Dan’s wife, passed away at their home in Austin, Texas, early this morning.
Jean, who was married to the iconic newsman, 93, for 67 years, ‘had been on hospice care for some time, but the news still comes as a shock for those of us who knew and loved her.’
The statement continued: ‘Please keep the Rathers in your thoughts. Jean lived a full life as an incredible wife, mother, friend, and artist – and a true Texan.’
An obituary put out by the family noted that Jean was ‘surrounded by loving family and friends and her beautiful artwork’ at the time she passed away Tuesday.
The family said that Jean’s ’cause of death was cancer.’
Dan Rather’s wife Jean Rather has died at the age 89 following a battle with cancer , friends of the family announced in a Facebook post Tuesday. Pictured in 2013 in NYC
Jean and Dan, pictured in 2017 in NYC, shared a 67-year marriage
Jean’s family noted in the obit that she was as ‘a very accomplished artist’ whose ‘paintings and collages were shown in galleries and private collections across the United States.
‘She attended art classes at American University and Mary Mount Manhattan College,’ the obit stated. ‘Through careful study of master artists’ paintings and sculpture in museums in England, France, Italy, Russia, Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Southeast Asia, Jean created a unique contemporary philosophy and style.’
Jean had been New York City’s Painter Member and Vice Chair of the Art Commission for an eight-year span, her family said.
Jean’s ‘many dear friends have been wonderful companions, and their love and support meant the world to her,’ the obit read.
Jean had also been affiliated with nonprofit organizations such as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, UT Press, and the Harry Ransom Center, according to her family.
Jean ‘went straight to work’ after she ‘graduated from Smithville public schools’ and eventually crossed paths with ‘her one true love, Dan Rather, at a Houston radio station’ the worked at.
Over their near-seven decade union, the couple lived in cities such as Austin, Dallas, Washington, D.C., New York City and London, spending the last three years in Texas.
‘The Rathers’ travels around the world gave Jean a perspective and understanding she had never dreamed of and that at times reminded her of Cinderella at the ball,’ the obit read. ‘She never forgot where she came from, never lost her Texas roots, and never wavered from her fierce independence and endless creativity.’
Jean’s family said she was as ‘a very accomplished artist’ whose ‘paintings and collages were shown in galleries and private collections across the United States
The couple was pictured at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Washington D.C. in December of 1987
The obit noted that Jean ‘was a steadfast advisor and rock of true Texas grit during every storm’ and ‘also the kind of wife who could meet presidents, kings and queens, draft dodgers, criminals, and corporate suits every day with equal ease and a stunning smile.’
Jean was described in the obit as a ‘tremendous mother and grandmother’ and ‘a confidante and friend to all her family members.’
Dan Rather told People last year that Jean was ‘absolutely committed’ to him throughout his career, which kept him on the road for long stretches early on.
‘The first year I was with CBS News, I was home 41 days out of the year,’ Dan said. ’41 days out of the year. Very hard to hold a marriage and a family together then.’
Dan said Jean’s ‘fighting heart’ and can-do mentality was a driving force in their marriage, which spanned more than six decades.
‘”Whatever it takes, we’re going to make it work,”‘ he said of her mentality. ‘And maybe the saving grace was … when I was home, I tried to hit the off switch.
‘I tried to make every hour count with my children, Robin, my eldest, and Dan, my youngest. They grew up with it. And again, all credit to Jean to whom I’ve been married for 66 years now.’
Rather’s last broadcast on CBS News came on March 9, 2005 amid a controversy surrounding a probe into then-President George W. Bush’s military service in the National Guard during the Vietnam War.
The couple was pictured in their native Austin, Texas in March of 2018 during SXSW
The pair was pictured at the Texas Medal of Arts Awards at the Long Center in 2015 in Austin
Rather introduced a segment in which documents of questionable credibility were showcased; many journalists involved with the piece said they believed the evidence presented was authentic, according to the AP.
Rather’s ties with CBS – where he worked for 44 years, 24 of which as the CBS Evening News anchor – were officially severed when his contract wrapped up the following year.
Dan Rather’s life and career were chronicled in a Netflix documentary titled Rather that debuted in April.
Dan in the doc said that Jean put his exodus from the network into clear perspective, telling him, ‘You got into a fight with the president of the United States during his reelection campaign – what did you think was going to happen?’
A number of people on X/Twitter posted well-wishes for the former CBS anchor amid news of his wife’s passing.
Film critic Joe Leydon said: ‘Offering prayers and condolences to @DanRather, whose dear wife Jean Rather passed away at their home in Austin, Texas, early this morning.’
Veteran news editor-producer Jerry Cipriano said, ‘Deepest condolences to my dear friend Dan Rather on the passing of his beloved wife, Jean. May she rest in peace.
A number of people on X/Twitter posted well-wishes for the former CBS anchor amid news of his wife’s passing
Fans on social media offered kind words in the wake of Jean’s passing
Writer Bob D’Angelo said, Sending prayers and thoughts to @DanRather after hearing about today’s passing of his beloved wife of 67 years, Jean Goebel Rather.
‘If you’ve read any of Dan’s books, you’d know what a rock Jean was during his times – good and bad – as a journalist.’
Reporter Robert Lang said, ‘Condolences to @DanRather on the loss of his wife. They were married for 67 years.’
One user wrote, ‘SAY A PRAYER FOR DAN RATHER: Jean Rather, Dan’s wife, passed away at their home in Austin, earlier today. Their marriage lasted 67-years!’
The family said that in lieu of flowers, ‘a wonderful way to remember’ Jean would be to donate to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, based out of Austin, Texas.
Jean is survived by her husband, Dan; son Danjack and partner Ann Prunty, and grandson Martin; daughter Robin and partner, Mike Marler and grandson Andy; ‘and many members of the extended Wallace, Zimerhanzel, and Rather families,’ the obit stated.
