Lesley Stahl
Encyclopedia
Lesley Rene Stahl is an American television journalist. Since 1991, she has reported for CBS
on 60 Minutes
.
, of Jewish heritage, the daughter of Dorothy J. (née Tishler), and Louis E. Stahl, a food company executive. In 1977, Stahl married author Aaron Latham
. They have one child, Taylor Stahl Latham. The couple currently lives in New York
.
correspondent during the presidencies of Jimmy Carter
, Ronald Reagan
and George H. W. Bush
. Stahl was the moderator of Face the Nation
between September 1983 and May 1991. In addition, from 2002–2004, she hosted 48 Hours Investigates. In 2002, Stahl made headlines when Al Gore
appeared on 60 Minutes and revealed for the first time that he would not run for president again in 2004. When Katie Couric
was hired, CBS News asked Stahl to reduce her salary by $500,000 to accommodate Couric's salary, bringing her salary down to $1.8 million. In October 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy
, President of France, stood up and walked away from an interview with Stahl, because she asked him about his relationship with his soon-to-be estranged spouse.
In 1998, she appeared in an episode of Frasier
, playing herself in the episode "Desperately Seeking Closure".
She has written one book, Reporting Live, which was published in 1999.
She received a Doctorate of Humane Letters honoris causa
from Colgate University
in 2008 and a Doctorate of Humane Letters honoris causa from Loyola College in Maryland in 2008.
Lesley Stahl is one of the founding members, along with Liz Smith
, Mary Wells Lawrence
, and Joni Evans
, of wowOwow
.com, a website for women to talk about culture, politics, and gossip.
She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
on 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
.
Personal life
Stahl was born in Lynn, MassachusettsLynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
, of Jewish heritage, the daughter of Dorothy J. (née Tishler), and Louis E. Stahl, a food company executive. In 1977, Stahl married author Aaron Latham
Aaron Latham
Aaron Latham is a journalist who wrote the article that inspired the movie Urban Cowboy and co-wrote its script with director James Bridges. He also co-wrote the book for the short-lived 2003 Broadway musical version....
. They have one child, Taylor Stahl Latham. The couple currently lives in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Career
A graduate of Wheaton College, her career received a running start from her coverage of the Watergate affair. Stahl went on to become White HouseWhite House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
correspondent during the presidencies of Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
, Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
and George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
. Stahl was the moderator of Face the Nation
Face the Nation
Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer is an American Sunday-morning political interview show which premiered on the CBS television network on November 7, 1954. It is one of the longest-running news programs in the history of television...
between September 1983 and May 1991. In addition, from 2002–2004, she hosted 48 Hours Investigates. In 2002, Stahl made headlines when Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
appeared on 60 Minutes and revealed for the first time that he would not run for president again in 2004. When Katie Couric
Katie Couric
Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric is an American journalist and author. She serves as Special Correspondent for ABC News, contributing to ABC World News, Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, This Week and primetime news specials...
was hired, CBS News asked Stahl to reduce her salary by $500,000 to accommodate Couric's salary, bringing her salary down to $1.8 million. In October 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
, President of France, stood up and walked away from an interview with Stahl, because she asked him about his relationship with his soon-to-be estranged spouse.
In 1998, she appeared in an episode of Frasier
Frasier
Frasier is an American sitcom that was broadcast on NBC for eleven seasons, from September 16, 1993, to May 13, 2004. The program was created and produced by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee in association with Grammnet and Paramount Network Television.A spin-off of Cheers, Frasier stars...
, playing herself in the episode "Desperately Seeking Closure".
She has written one book, Reporting Live, which was published in 1999.
She received a Doctorate of Humane Letters honoris causa
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
from Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
in 2008 and a Doctorate of Humane Letters honoris causa from Loyola College in Maryland in 2008.
Lesley Stahl is one of the founding members, along with Liz Smith
Liz Smith (journalist)
Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Smith is an American gossip columnist. She is known as The Grand Dame of Dish.- Early life and career :...
, Mary Wells Lawrence
Mary Wells Lawrence
Mary Wells Lawrence is a retired American advertising executive. She was the founding president of Wells Rich Greene, an advertising agency known for its creativity and innovative work, and the first woman CEO of a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.In the late 1940s, Mary Wells...
, and Joni Evans
Joni Evans
Joni Evans is an American book publisher of over 100 bestsellers, writer, editor, and literary agent. Evans’s background and career in publishing includes posts as Senior Vice President of the William Morris Agency , President and Publisher of Simon & Schuster , and Publisher at Random House .-Life...
, of wowOwow
WowOwow
wowOwow is a U.S.-based website publication run by Joni Evans. The site was launched by CEO Joni Evans, Mary Wells Lawrence, Liz Smith, Lesley Stahl, and Peggy Noonan on March 8, 2008...
.com, a website for women to talk about culture, politics, and gossip.
She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
.
Career timeline
- September 1983–May 1991: Face the NationFace the NationFace the Nation with Bob Schieffer is an American Sunday-morning political interview show which premiered on the CBS television network on November 7, 1954. It is one of the longest-running news programs in the history of television...
moderator - October 1990–March 1991: America TonightAmerica TonightAmerica Tonight was a late-night news program on CBS. It aired on weeknights at 11:30pm ET from October 1, 1990 to March 29, 1991. It was hosted by Charles Kuralt and Lesley Stahl...
anchor - March 1991–present: 60 Minutes60 Minutes60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
correspondent