Peter Jennings
Born 1938 · Age 87
Canadian‑American television journalist; longtime sole anchor and senior editor of ABC World News Tonight (1983–2005). Renowned foreign correspondent, host of Peter Jennings Reporting and major special coverage; winner of multiple Emmys and Peabody Awards.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Peter Charles Archibald Ewart Jennings born to Elizabeth and Charles Jennings.
Hosted 'Peter's People' on CBC Radio
At age 9 Jennings hosted Peter's People, a half-hour Saturday CBC Radio program for children.
Entered Trinity College School (boarded)
Began attending Trinity College School in Port Hope, excelled in sports.
Family moved to Ottawa; transferred to Lisgar Collegiate
Following his father's posting to CBC Ottawa, Jennings transferred to Lisgar Collegiate Institute.
Brief university attendance
Briefly attended Carleton University (reported 'lasted about 10 minutes') and also attended the University of Ottawa at other times.
Dropped out of high school (failed 10th grade)
Struggled academically and left formal high school before graduation.
Worked as a bank teller at Royal Bank of Canada
Early job as a bank teller in Prescott and later Brockville, Ontario (hoped for Caribbean posting).
Joined CFJR radio news department
Hired at local Brockville radio station CFJR; many stories were picked up by CBC.
Joined CJOH‑TV in Ottawa
Hired at new Ottawa television station CJOH-TV; served as interviewer/co-producer for Vue and hosted teen dance show Club Thirteen (Club Thirteen/Club Thirteen/Club Thirteen).
Co‑anchor of CTV World News (national)
At about age 24 Jennings was hired as co-anchor of CTV's late‑night national newscast (CTV World News).
Married Valerie Godsoe
First marriage to childhood sweetheart Valerie Godsoe (marriage later ended 1970).
First Canadian reporter on scene after JFK assassination
Was first Canadian journalist to arrive in Dallas after President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
Met ABC president Elmer Lower; offered ABC job
While covering the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City he met and was offered a position at ABC News.
Joined ABC News as correspondent
Moved to the United States and joined ABC News (per ABC/D23 date Aug 3, 1964).
Named anchor of 'Peter Jennings With the News' (youngest U.S. network anchor)
ABC placed Jennings at the anchor desk for the 15‑minute nightly newscast; at 26 he became the youngest-ever U.S. network news anchor.
Became foreign correspondent; established Beirut bureau
Left anchor desk to build foreign reporting credentials and established ABC's Middle East bureau in Beirut (first American TV news bureau in the Arab world).
First American TV bureau in Arab world established (Beirut)
Established ABC's first Middle East bureau in Beirut, giving ABC major regional presence.
Narrated 'The Fabulous Sixties' documentary (freelance for CTV)
Accepted a freelance assignment to narrate CTV's The Fabulous Sixties while employed by ABC.
First American TV interview with Yasser Arafat
As Beirut bureau chief Jennings conducted the first American television interview with PLO chairman Yasser Arafat.
Covered Munich Olympics massacre
Reported live from the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis; provided clear video and coverage for ABC.
Covered Yom Kippur War and produced 'Sadat: Action Biography'
Reported on the 1973 Arab–Israeli (Yom Kippur) War and co-produced a profile of Anwar Sadat that won a George Foster Peabody Award.
Married Anouchka Malouf
Second marriage to Lebanese photographer Anouchka (Anoushka) Malouf; (marriage later ended 1979).
Returned to U.S. as Washington correspondent; anchored AM America newscasts
Became Washington correspondent and delivered newscasts for ABC's new morning program AM America (precursor to Good Morning America).
AM America canceled after 10 months
AM America failed to challenge NBC's Today and was canceled after roughly ten months on air.
Named ABC's chief foreign correspondent (returned abroad)
Moved abroad again as ABC's chief foreign correspondent, continuing extensive international reporting.
Interviewed Ayatollah Khomeini in exile
First North American reporter to interview Ayatollah Khomeini in Paris during his exile (establishing exceptional foreign correspondent credentials).
World News Tonight debuts as three‑anchor program
ABC relaunched its evening news as World News Tonight with Frank Reynolds, Max Robinson and Jennings (Jennings as Foreign Desk Anchor in London).
Married Kati Marton; daughter Elizabeth born
Third marriage to ABC correspondent Kati Marton; daughter Elizabeth born the same year.
Son Christopher born
Second child, Christopher, was born to Peter Jennings and Kati Marton.
Signed 4‑year contract; named sole anchor and senior editor of World News Tonight
ABC announced Jennings would become sole anchor and senior editor; he began anchoring from New York on Sept 5, 1983, marking the start of the 'Big Three' era.
Debut as sole anchor of World News Tonight (from New York)
Jennings's first broadcast as sole anchor; began a ratings climb for ABC News.
Co‑anchored ABC's Democratic National Convention coverage
Co‑anchored coverage of the 1984 Democratic National Convention with David Brinkley.
Anchored Challenger disaster coverage for 11 hours
Anchored ABC's continuous coverage of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster for 11 straight hours (praised for steadiness).
Named 'Best Anchor' by Washington Journalism Review (1988)
One of multiple 'Best Anchor' recognitions; also won the honor in 1989, 1990 and 1992.
World News Tonight ends year in first place
ABC's evening newscast finished the last 13 weeks of 1989 in first place, beating CBS for the first time in annual averages.
Loma Prieta earthquake coverage praised
Jennings and ABC praised for prompt live on‑air response to the San Francisco Bay Area earthquake.
Launched 'Peter Jennings Reporting' prime‑time specials
Debuted hour‑long in‑depth ABC News specials under the Peter Jennings Reporting banner; first focused on gun violence.
Won Peabody Award for 'Guns' (Peter Jennings Reporting)
Awarded a Peabody for his reporting on guns (Peter Jennings Reporting).
'From the Killing Fields' airs (Cambodia special)
April installment alleging covert U.S. policy toward Cambodia; drew attention and controversy. White House changed recognition of Khmer Rouge on July 18.
Hosted 'War in the Gulf: Answering Children's Questions'
Produced a 90‑minute special to explain the Gulf War to children, answering viewer phone questions with military and ABC personnel.
Gulf War marathon coverage — major anchoring stint
When the Gulf War began Jennings spent 20 of the first 48 hours on air, driving ABC's highest-ever ratings for the network to that date.
Anchored 'Growing Up in the Age of AIDS'
A 90‑minute ABC special addressing AIDS aimed at children and families.
Moderated final Democratic presidential debate
Served as moderator for the last Democratic primary debate before the 1992 nomination.
'Who Is Ross Perot?' special and forum
Anchored Peter Jennings Reporting: Who Is Ross Perot? and a subsequent 90‑minute forum with Perot and a studio audience.
Public separation from Kati Marton
Jennings and Kati Marton announced their separation (they later divorced).
'Kids in the Crossfire' special with Attorney General Janet Reno
Live special from a Washington DC junior high about violence in America featuring Attorney General Janet Reno and rapper MC Lyte.
Firing of World News Tonight executive producer Emily Rooney
Public conflict and Rooney's firing drew national headlines and criticism of Jennings' management role.
Advocated for religion correspondent — Peggy Wehmeyer hired
After lobbying for three years, Jennings succeeded in getting ABC to hire Peggy Wehmeyer as the network's first full‑time religion correspondent.
Major coverage of Bosnian War; Goldsmith Career Award (Harvard)
Anchored multiple specials on Bosnia; received Goldsmith Career Award for Excellence in Journalism from Harvard Kennedy School (mid‑1990s).
In‑depth coverage of 1995 Quebec referendum
Elevated the story in the U.S.; he broadcast from Canada on the eve of the referendum.
Second Peabody Award (for 'Hiroshima')
Received a Peabody Award recognizing excellence in broadcast journalism for his Hiroshima documentary.
Received Paul White Award for lifetime contributions
Radio and Television News Directors Association awarded Jennings its highest honor, the Paul White Award (1995).
'Hiroshima: Why the Bomb Was Dropped' airs (Peter Jennings Reporting)
A controversial hour‑long documentary that aired a week before the 50th anniversary of the bombing; won mixed reviews and drew criticism.
World News Tonight slips in ratings (1996)
ABC cut back on international reporting and shifted to softer stories, triggering viewer backlash and ratings decline; NBC began to overtake ABC.
David Westin becomes president of ABC News
David Westin succeeded Roone Arledge as president; organizational leadership change at ABC News.
Co‑authored 'The Century' with Todd Brewster (book tops NYT list)
The Century, a 606‑page book companion to ABC's documentary series, debuted and reached The New York Times Best Seller list in December 1998.
Anchored ABC's 12‑hour 'The Century' miniseries
Anchored the first installment of ABC's 12‑hour documentary series The Century; production had cost roughly US$25 million.
Anchored 15‑hour version of The Century on History Channel
Also anchored an extended 15‑hour version, The Century: America's Time, on the History Channel.
Anchored ABC 2000 Today for 23 straight hours
Hosted ABC's massive millennium eve special for 23 consecutive hours; ~175 million people tuned in to at least a portion; U.S. prime‑time audience ~18.6 million; production cost $11M and profit $5M.
TV Guide 'Favorite News Personality' (2000)
Named Favorite News Personality in TV Guide Awards (2000).
Moderated Democratic primary debate (New Hampshire)
Moderated the Democratic primary debate held at the University of New Hampshire.
Anchored 'The Dark Horizon: India, Pakistan, and the Bomb'
Hosted a primetime ABC special examining nuclear tensions in South Asia as President Clinton visited the region.
Paul A. Slavin named executive producer of World News Tonight
ABC appointed Paul A. Slavin as the new executive producer for World News Tonight.
Worked on 'In Search of America' with Todd Brewster; 50‑state tour
After 9/11 he and Brewster revisited subjects for their book In Search of America; launched a 50‑state tour in April 2002 and a six‑part TV series in Sept 2002.
Anchored ABC's September 11 coverage for ~17 hours
Guided ABC's extensive 9/11 coverage for about 17 consecutive hours; widely praised but drew controversy for comments about the president's whereabouts and hosting a forum featuring Hanan Ashrawi.
Published 'In Search of America' (with Todd Brewster)
Book exploring contemporary America; publication in 2002 accompanied by TV series.
Began 50‑states/one nation tour (promoting In Search of America)
Embarked on a yearlong 50‑state tour as part of the book/TV project; associated six‑part series aired Sept 2002.
Became U.S. citizen (dual citizenship)
Formally pledged allegiance at a Lower Manhattan citizenship ceremony; retained Canadian citizenship.
Edward R. Murrow Award for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting
Received the Murrow Award for lifetime achievement (Washington State University, 2004).
Moderated 2004 Democratic presidential primary debate
Moderated the 2004 Democratic primary debate at Saint Anselm College; noted for questioning of Gen. Wesley Clark.
Illness sidelined him during Asian tsunami coverage
Suffered an upper respiratory infection and was forced to anchor from New York while competitors reported from the tsunami region.
Estate valued at US$50 million
Jennings left an estate estimated at US$50 million; half went to wife Kayce Freed and most of the remainder to his two children.
Anchored World News Tonight for the last time
Health issues prevented further anchoring; this was his final on‑air newscast.
Announced diagnosis of advanced lung cancer
Posted a taped message on World News Tonight revealing he had been diagnosed with a final stage of lung cancer and would begin chemotherapy.
Posted letter updating health status and thanking supporters
Posted an update on ABCNews.com expressing thanks for support during treatment.
Visited ABC News HQ and addressed staff
Emotional appearance at ABC News newsroom; colleagues noted he was visibly ill and could barely speak.
Posted birthday message and thank‑you
Posted a short letter of thanks on his 67th birthday while undergoing treatment.
World News Tonight tops ratings the week of his death
For the week of his death, World News Tonight placed number one in the evening news ratings (first time since June 2004).
Died of lung cancer in New York City
Passed away in his New York apartment; survived by his fourth wife Kayce Freed, two children and sister. ABC interrupted programming to announce his death.
ABC airs 'Peter Jennings: Reporter' tribute special
Two‑hour ABC special with archival clips and interviews drew more than nine million viewers and was most watched program that night.
57th Primetime Emmy Awards paid tribute
Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather delivered a televised tribute to Jennings during the Emmys.
Public memorial at Carnegie Hall
A public memorial service for Jennings at Carnegie Hall attended by notable journalists, political leaders and friends.
Order of Canada insignia accepted on his behalf
Jennings had been informed eight days before his death that he would be inducted into the Order of Canada; his daughter Elizabeth accepted the insignia in October 2005.
Street renamed 'Peter Jennings Way' in Manhattan
New York City designated the block in front of the ABC News headquarters as Peter Jennings Way in honor of the late anchor.
Posthumously named a Disney Legend
The Walt Disney Company posthumously named Jennings a Disney Legend (first ABC News employee so honored).
Book 'Peter Jennings: A Reporter's Life' published
An oral‑history book co‑edited by widow Kayce Freed and colleague Lynn Sherr was published in 2007.
Posthumous induction into Television Hall of Fame
Jennings was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Television Hall of Fame in January 2011.
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