Mark Knoller, a longtime White House correspondent for CBS News, has died at the age of 73.
Known by many in the White House press corps as the unofficial presidential historian and statistician. He joked that he kept track of each President’s daily activities, the speeches they gave, how many times they played golf, and how many pardons they issued, among other items.
After originally working at the Associated Press from 1975 to 1988, Knoller joined CBS News and stayed until retiring in 2020.
After the news of his passing was announced, several of his former colleagues shared their remembrances and admiration for the work he did during his tenure with the outlet.
“Mark Knoller was the hardest-working and most prolific White House correspondent of a generation,” CBS News President Tom Cibrowski said. “Everyone in America knew his distinctive voice and his up-to-the-minute reporting across eight Presidential administrations.”
“Mark Knoller was simply the best, a legendary White House journalist who was a delight to be around,” said CBS News senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell. “His work was his life. He was kind, funny and always gracious in sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of the presidency. His CBS family adored him, and we will miss our friend.”
“Mark Knoller defined what it means to chronicle and cover the White House,” added chief White House correspondent Major Garrett. “Mark added value where others never could – myself included. Mark was the most devoted, tenacious and clear-eyed journalist I have ever had the honor of knowing. For as long as I live, I will count among my life’s greatest blessings that I was able to work alongside him.”
CBS News noted that Knoller had been ill in recent weeks and had been diagnosed with diabetes.
