Dan Rather: Wife, Net Worth, Health, Children, Career & More

Dan Rather is an American journalist, author, and former television news anchor who spent 44 years at CBS News. He is best known for anchoring CBS Evening News from 1981 to 2005, succeeding Walter Cronkite.

During his long career, Rather covered some of the biggest stories of the 20th and early 21st centuries, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, Watergate, the Iran-Contra affair, the Gulf War, the September 11 attacks and the Iraq War.

Rather has continued working in journalism after leaving CBS, including through television programs, books, documentaries, interviews and his online newsletter.

Quick Facts About Dan Rather

●      Full name: Daniel Irvin Rather Jr.

●      Born: October 31, 1931

●      Age: 94

●      Birthplace: Wharton, Texas

●      Nationality: American

●      Profession: Journalist, author, broadcaster

●      Education: Sam Houston State College

●      Wife: Jean Goebel Rather (1957–2024)

●      Children: Two

●      Son: Danjack Rather

●      Daughter: Robin Rather

●      Major employer: CBS News

●      CBS Evening News: Anchor, 1981–2005

●      CBS career: 1962–2006

●      Childhood illness: Rheumatic fever

●      Current work: Writing, interviews, online journalism and media projects

Age

Daniel Irvin Rather Jr. was born on October 31, 1931, in Wharton, Texas.

He is 94 years old.

Rather grew up in Houston's Heights area and became interested in journalism while listening to radio news broadcasts as a child. He later attended Sam Houston State College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1953.

Who Was Dan Rather's Wife?

Dan Rather was married to Jean Goebel Rather, an artist and longtime supporter of his journalism career.

The couple met while working at a Houston radio station and married in 1957. They remained married for 67 years, until Jean's death in November 2024.

Jean was born in Smithville, Texas, and eventually established herself as a visual artist whose paintings and collages were displayed in galleries and private collections.

She also served for eight years as vice chair of the New York City Art Commission and sat on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.

When Did Dan Rather's Wife Die?

Jean Rather died on November 26, 2024, at the age of 89.

Her family said she died in Austin, Texas, surrounded by family and friends after a battle with cancer.

Her death ended a marriage that had lasted nearly seven decades.

Rather has spoken about the important role Jean played throughout his life and career. During an interview reflecting on his life, he credited their long marriage with helping him through the demanding years of journalism.

Did Dan Rather Have Children?

Yes. Dan Rather and Jean Rather had two children: a son and a daughter.

Their children are:

●      Danjack Rather

●      Robin Rather

The family has generally maintained a relatively private life compared with Dan Rather's highly public career.

Rather's daughter Robin has been described as an environmentalist and community activist in Austin, while his son Danjack has worked as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan.

Dan Rather's Health

There is an important distinction between Dan Rather's documented health history and rumors found online.

Rather experienced rheumatic fever as a child, which left him bedridden for extended periods. In a CBS interview, he recalled spending eight or nine months in bed during one episode. The illness also affected his later attempt to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps; he was discharged because of his history of rheumatic fever.

Career

Rather's journalism career began in Texas during the early 1950s.

His first jobs included work with the Associated Press, United Press International, radio stations, and newspapers. He eventually became news director at KTRH radio in Houston and later worked for KTRK-TV and KHOU-TV.

His major national breakthrough came with his reporting on Hurricane Carla in 1961.

Hurricane Carla Made Dan Rather Famous

In September 1961, Rather was reporting on Hurricane Carla from Galveston, Texas.

The storm was enormous and threatened widespread destruction. Rather helped televise radar imagery of the hurricane, giving viewers an unusually clear picture of the storm's size and encouraging people to evacuate.

His reporting helped establish him as a talented and courageous reporter.

The following year, he joined CBS News.

Dan Rather at CBS News

Rather joined CBS News in 1962 as chief of its Southwest bureau in Dallas.

In 1963, he became chief of CBS's Southern bureau in New Orleans.

His reporting focused heavily on the civil rights movement and racial conflicts in the American South. He covered figures including Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evers and reported extensively on James Meredith's admission to the University of Mississippi.

Dan Rather and the JFK Assassination

One of Rather's most famous early assignments came on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.

Rather was among the CBS journalists covering the assassination and its aftermath.

His reporting from Dallas helped establish him as a nationally recognized television correspondent.

Dan Rather as White House Correspondent

Rather became a prominent White House correspondent, covering the administrations of Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon.

He extensively covered the Watergate scandal, which ultimately contributed to Nixon's resignation.

His aggressive questioning and reporting style made him a prominent—and sometimes controversial—figure in Washington journalism.

Dan Rather as CBS Evening News Anchor

In 1981, Rather succeeded Walter Cronkite as anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News.

He remained in the position for approximately 24 years, making him one of the longest-serving anchors of a major American network evening newscast.

During that period, Rather covered major events including:

●      The Reagan assassination attempt

●      The royal wedding of Charles and Diana

●      The Challenger space shuttle disaster

●      Iran-Contra

●      The fall of communism

●      The Gulf War

●      The September 11 attacks

●      The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

CBS notes that throughout his career he worked as a bureau chief, war correspondent, foreign correspondent, White House correspondent and anchor.

Why Did Dan Rather Leave CBS?

Rather's departure from CBS followed controversy surrounding a 2004 60 Minutes II report about George W. Bush's Texas Air National Guard service.

The report relied on documents whose authenticity was subsequently questioned. CBS conducted an investigation, and several employees involved in the story lost their positions.

Rather stepped down from the CBS Evening News anchor chair in March 2005 and left CBS in 2006 after his contract expired.

Rather has continued to defend the broader reporting behind the story while acknowledging the controversy surrounding the documents.

What Did Dan Rather Do After CBS?

Leaving CBS did not end Rather's journalism career.

He later hosted Dan Rather Reports on HDNet, where he continued conducting investigative reports and interviews.

He subsequently hosted The Big Interview with Dan Rather on AXS TV, interviewing musicians, actors, and other notable figures.

He has also written books, produced documentaries, and developed a significant audience through social media and online journalism.

Dan Rather's Newsletter

Rather launched his online newsletter Steady in 2021.

The newsletter allows him to write about American politics, journalism, history, and current events and has helped him connect with a younger audience.

His post-network career demonstrates that Rather did not retire completely after leaving traditional television news.

Dan Rather's Documentary

A documentary about Rather's life and career, Rather, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2023.

The documentary was directed by Frank Marshall and later became available on Netflix in 2024.

CBS also revisited Rather's career in a 2024 CBS Sunday Morning interview when he was 92. The interview covered his decades at CBS, his departure from the network, and his work after television's traditional network era.

Net Worth

Celebrity Net Worth currently estimates his fortune at approximately $70 million. The site updated that estimate in June 2026.

However, $70 million should be described as an estimate, not a confirmed fact.

Rather's wealth has been accumulated over a career spanning more than seven decades, including his CBS salary, television programs, books, speaking engagements and other media work.

Books

Rather has written numerous books throughout his career.

Some of his best-known titles include:

●      The Camera Never Blinks Twice

●      I Remember

●      The Palace Guard

●      The Camera Never Blinks: Adventures of a TV Journalist

●      Deadlines & Datelines

●      What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism

His books cover journalism, American politics, history, and his experiences covering major events.

CBS's biography lists several of his earlier books and notes his long history as an author and commentator.

Awards and Recognition

Rather has received numerous honors during his career.

His recognitions include:

●      Emmy Awards

●      Peabody Award

●      Numerous journalism awards

●      Honorary degrees

●      Induction into various journalism and broadcasting institutions

Sam Houston State University, his alma mater, renamed its mass communications building in his honor in 1994.

He has also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Siena College.

Height

Dan Rather's height is commonly reported online at approximately 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 metres).

Conclusion

Dan Rather is one of the most consequential American television journalists of the modern era. His career began in Texas radio and eventually took him to the CBS anchor desk, where he spent 24 years anchoring CBS Evening News after succeeding Walter Cronkite.

His reporting career included some of the most important events of the past seven decades, from the JFK assassination and civil rights movement to Watergate, wars overseas and September 11.

His personal life also received renewed attention after the death of his wife, Jean Rather, in November 2024. The couple had been married for 67 years and had two children.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What was Dan Rather accused of?

Dan Rather was criticized and accused of using inadequately authenticated documents in a 2004 CBS 60 Minutes report about George W. Bush’s Texas Air National Guard service. The report relied partly on documents attributed to Bush’s former commander, Lt. Col. Jerry Killian, but questions quickly arose about their authenticity. CBS ultimately said it could not verify the documents and acknowledged that using them was a mistake. Rather apologized on air.

Rather maintained that the underlying questions about Bush’s National Guard service were legitimate, but the controversy became known as “Rathergate” or the Killian documents controversy.

2. What has happened to Dan Rather?

Dan Rather left CBS News in 2006 after 44 years with the network. After leaving CBS, he continued working in journalism, including hosting Dan Rather Reports on AXS TV and later The News with Dan Rather online. Since 2021, he has also written the “Steady” newsletter, covering politics, journalism, history and current affairs.

Rather therefore did not simply disappear from journalism after leaving CBS; he continued producing interviews, commentary and other journalistic work outside traditional network television.

3. What happened to Dan Rather’s wife?

Dan Rather’s wife, Jean Rather, died on November 26, 2024, at the age of 89. According to her family, she died in Austin, Texas, surrounded by family and friends after a battle with cancer. She and Dan Rather had been married for more than six decades.

4. When was Dan Rather attacked?

Dan Rather was attacked and beaten on October 4, 1986, while walking home on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Two men approached him, and one repeatedly asked, “Kenneth, what’s the frequency?” Before Rather could get away, he was punched, knocked to the ground, and kicked. He was treated at Lenox Hill Hospital for injuries to his jaw and back.

The bizarre phrase from the attack later became famous and inspired R.E.M.’s 1994 song “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”.

5. What is Dan Rather doing now?

Dan Rather continues to work as a journalist, writer, and commentator. He publishes his Steady newsletter and remains active through interviews, essays, public appearances and social media. Although he no longer anchors a daily television news program, he continues to comment on journalism, American politics, and current events.