Linda Mason, renowned for her extensive 47-year career with CBS News, passed away at 84. She died peacefully, surrounded by family, as confirmed by a CBS News statement.
Mason’s career began in 1966 as a radio desk assistant. Her pioneering spirit led her to become the first female producer of the “CBS Evening News” alongside iconic anchors Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. Her influence at CBS extended to senior producer of “CBS Evening News,” executive producer of “CBS Sunday Morning,” vice president of public affairs, and head of the news’ standards department.
During her tenure on “Sunday Morning,” Mason reported on major international events such as President Ronald Reagan’s initial journey to the Soviet Union, Japanese Emperor Hirohito’s funeral, and the turbulent period in China preceding Tiananmen Square’s uprising.
Linda Mason also managed and produced the documentary series “CBS Reports.” Her projects included the CBS News magazine “Eye to Eye” and primetime specials “60 Minutes … 25 Years” and “60 Minutes at 30,” highlighting the significant legacy of CBS’s Sunday night program.
Throughout her career, Mason was honored with 13 Emmy Awards, three Peabody Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, and the Grand Prize of the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards.
Born in Middletown, New York, she earned a B.A. degree with honors in international relations from Brown University in 1964. Her accomplishments were recognized in 1991 when she received the William Rogers Award for outstanding alumni. Mason furthered her education with an M.S. in filmmaking from Syracuse University, where she was a university fellow.
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