Bernard Shaw, Veteran CNN Anchor, Dies at 82

Bernard Shaw, who served as CNN's first chief anchor when the network launched in 1980, passed away Wednesday of pneumonia unrelated to Covid-19. He was 82.

Over the course of his career, Shaw reported on some of the biggest stories of the time. Some of his most iconic coverage spanned live reporting on Gulf War from Baghdad in 1991 and the 2000 presidential election. Shaw retired in 2001 after over 20 years with CNN, but maintained a close relationship with the network even after his departure. 

"Bernie was a CNN original and was our Washington anchor when we launched on June 1, 1980," Chris Licht, CNN Chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "Even after he left CNN, Bernie remained a close member of our CNN family providing our viewers with context about historic events as recently as last year. The condolences of all of us at CNN go out to his wife Linda and his children."

Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.