Katharine Graham
Born 1917 · Age 108
American newspaper publisher who led The Washington Post (1963–1991), presided over publication of the Pentagon Papers and the Post's Watergate reporting; first female CEO of a Fortune 500 company; Pulitzer Prize winner for her memoir Personal History.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born Katharine Meyer
Born in New York City to Eugene Meyer and Agnes (Ernst) Meyer, fourth of five children into a wealthy, influential family.
Attended Montessori then The Potomac School
Attended a Montessori school until fourth grade then enrolled at The Potomac School (approximate timing based on age).
Father appointed Chairman of the Federal Reserve
Eugene Meyer served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve (1930–1933), increasing the family's national prominence.
Attended The Madeira School (high school)
Attended The Madeira School for high school; her father later donated land for its new Virginia campus.
Eugene Meyer buys The Washington Post
Her father acquired The Washington Post at a bankruptcy auction in 1933, bringing the paper into the family.
Entered Vassar College
Enrolled at Vassar College (attended 1934–36 before transferring).
Transferred to the University of Chicago
Transferred from Vassar to the University of Chicago; became active in political/intellectual circles there.
Worked as reporter at San Francisco News
Brief stint as a reporter in San Francisco; helped cover a major wharf workers' strike and joined the reporters' union.
Graduated University of Chicago (B.A.)
Completed undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago (B.A., 1938).
Joined The Washington Post staff
Began working for The Washington Post in editorial and circulation departments (sources list 1938–1939; timing approximated).
Married Philip Graham
Married Philip Lesley Graham, a Harvard-educated lawyer and Supreme Court clerk; the couple later had four children.
Birth of daughter Lally (Elizabeth)
Birth of eldest child, Elizabeth (‘Lally’) Graham (later Lally Weymouth).
Birth of son Donald Edward Graham
Birth of son Donald E. Graham (would later become publisher of The Washington Post).
Philip Graham becomes publisher of The Washington Post
Eugene Meyer handed control of the Post to his son-in-law Philip Graham, who became publisher in 1946.
Birth of son William Welsh Graham
Birth of William (‘Bill’) Graham (1948–2017).
Katharine and Philip buy voting stock
The couple purchased the voting stock of the Washington Post Company from her father (reported 1948).
Birth of son Stephen Meyer Graham
Birth of youngest son Stephen Graham (born 1952).
Washington Post Company acquires Times-Herald
The Washington Post Company grew through acquisitions, including the rival Times-Herald in 1954.
Philip Graham's depression intensifies
Philip began showing severe symptoms of mood disorder and alcoholism leading to ongoing family and business strain.
Death of Eugene Meyer (father)
Eugene Meyer, owner and chairman of The Washington Post Company, died in 1959; Philip Graham succeeded him as chairman.
Washington Post Company buys Newsweek
The company expanded its media holdings with the acquisition of Newsweek magazine in 1961 and broadcast stations.
Discovers Philip's affair
On Christmas Eve 1962 Katharine learned Philip was having an affair; tensions escalated into legal and personal conflict.
Philip Graham hospitalized after breakdown
Philip suffered a nervous breakdown at a Phoenix conference; was sedated and treated at Chestnut Lodge psychiatric facility.
Philip Graham dies by suicide
Philip Graham committed suicide at the couple's Glen Welby estate in Virginia on August 3, 1963.
Elected president of The Washington Post Company
Katharine Graham assumed the reins of the company and became de facto publisher beginning September 1963 (elected president Sept. 20 in some sources).
Hired Benjamin C. Bradlee as editor/manager
Graham hired Ben Bradlee (from Newsweek) to lead the newsroom; partnership critical to the Post's investigative era.
Named honoree of Truman Capote's Black and White Ball
Graham was the named honoree of the famous social Black and White Ball hosted by Truman Capote.
Formally became publisher of The Washington Post
Held the formal title of publisher from 1969 to 1979 (had been de facto publisher since 1963).
Decision to publish Pentagon Papers
Authorized the Post to publish portions of the Pentagon Papers (following the New York Times), a landmark press freedom decision.
Supreme Court rules for the papers (New York Times Co. v. United States)
Supreme Court rejected prior restraint; pivotal legal vindication of publishing the Pentagon Papers (June 30, 1971).
License challenges and company stock volatility during Watergate
Between Dec 29, 1972 and Jan 2, 1973, Post TV license renewals were challenged; company stock fell from $38 in Dec to $21 in May (reported).
Watergate reporting begins (support for Woodward & Bernstein)
As the Post ran investigative reporting on Watergate, Graham supported reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein despite pressure.
Named CEO of The Washington Post Company; first female Fortune 500 CEO
In 1972 she became CEO of the Washington Post Company, making her the first woman to lead a Fortune 500 firm.
Mitchell quote and threat reported
Nixon attorney general John Mitchell uttered a threat about 'Katie Graham'; the Post published the quote (with some words edited by Bradlee).
Became chairwoman of the board (start)
Assumed the role of chairwoman of The Washington Post Company (sources report she was chairwoman from 1973 onward).
Received Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award; honorary LL.D. from Colby College
Honored in 1973 for contributions to journalism; received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Colby College.
First woman elected to the Associated Press board
Became the first woman elected to the board of directors of the Associated Press (historic industry first).
Received S. Roger Horchow Award; labor strike stance
Received the Jefferson Award for public service (S. Roger Horchow Award) in 1975 and took a hard line in the 1975–76 press strike, refusing to rehire some union members.
Featured on Supersisters trading card; son Donald becomes publisher
Graham was one of the Supersisters cards in 1979; her son Donald E. Graham became publisher in 1979 while she continued as CEO/chair.
Won Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
Awarded the Walter Cronkite Award in recognition of her contributions to journalism.
Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Named a Fellow of the AAAS in recognition of her influence in media and public life.
Gave 'Secrecy and the Press' speech at CIA headquarters
Delivered a widely noted speech on national security and press responsibilities to a full auditorium at CIA headquarters (Nov 16, 1988).
Stepped down as CEO; end of major executive tenure
She left the CEO role in 1991 after transforming the company; often cited as CEO from 1972 to 1991 (remained on board thereafter).
Company financial milestone at end of tenure
During her leadership revenues reportedly grew from about $84 million in 1963 to approximately $1.4 billion by 1991; stock rose roughly 30× in this period.
IWMF Lifetime Achievement recognition (association)
Recognized by the International Women's Media Foundation as a leading figure in journalism (IWMF lists her among Lifetime Achievement laureates).
Published memoir 'Personal History'
Released Personal History, an acclaimed memoir that candidly discusses her life, Philip Graham's illness, and her career.
Received Freedom Medal (Four Freedoms laureate)
Honored in 1997 for commitment to freedom of speech and expression (Four Freedoms / Freedom medal recognition in 1997).
Won Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography
Her memoir Personal History won the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.
WCPX-TV changes callsign to WKMG-TV in her honor
On January 30, 1998, WCPX-TV (Orlando) changed its callsign to WKMG-TV to honor Katharine M. Graham.
Received Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
Awarded the Golden Plate Award (presented by e.g., Coretta Scott King in 1999).
Named International Press Institute 'World Press Freedom Hero'
Recognized as one of the International Press Institute's 50 World Press Freedom Heroes of the past 50 years (2000).
Suffered head injury from fall in Sun Valley, Idaho
Fell and struck her head while visiting Sun Valley, Idaho on July 14, 2001; hospitalized in Boise.
Died in Boise, Idaho
Died three days after her fall on July 17, 2001; funeral held at Washington National Cathedral; buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Funeral at Washington National Cathedral
Public funeral service on July 23, 2001 in Washington, D.C.; thousands attended reflecting her national stature.
Posthumously awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presented posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush (2002).
Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame (posthumous)
Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2002 in recognition of her life and career.
Profiled in Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery exhibit
One Life: Katharine Graham exhibit/profile at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in 2010.
Portrayed in film 'The Post' (Meryl Streep)
Katharine Graham was portrayed by Meryl Streep in Steven Spielberg's film The Post (2017); Streep's performance earned awards nominations.
Key Achievement Ages
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