Tim Russert was an American journalist who had milestones in his career that still make him a force in the arena. The legendary journalist was also a lawyer. He was the longest-serving moderator of the longest-running program in television history, NBC Meet the Press. The program is a news/interview show and Tim has been its moderator for over 16 years.
On the show, he gained a reputation for his extensive preparatory research and cross-examination style. He also covered several presidential elections during his career. Tim was senior vice president of NBC News and Washington bureau chief. In 2008, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He died of a heart attack in 2008.
Tim Russert – Biography
Timothy John Russert was born on May 7, 1950 in Buffalo, New York, United States. He has German and Irish roots.
Growing up, Tim Russert attended Canisius High School, Buffalo where he received a Jesuit education. He then continued his studies at John Carroll University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1972. In 1976, he also received a Juris Doctor degree with honors from the Cleveland College College of Law at Cleveland State University. His alma mater named his department Communication and Performing Arts.
Russert was an avid sports fan. He grew up as a fan of the New York Yankees, but later switched allegiances to the Washington National. He has always been a fan of the Buffalo Bills of the NFL and the professional hockey team, the Buffalo Sabers.
Tim has written two bestselling books, including his autobiography titled Big Russ and Me (2004). The book chronicles his relationship with his father and the lessons he learned. The second book, Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons was released the following year. Additionally, he made a guest appearance on the hit crime drama series Homicide: Life on the Streets in 1995.
The nation was immobilized on June 13, 2008 after his death. A true devotee of hard work, Tim Russert met his end doing what he loves. He collapsed in the offices of WRC-TV, which houses NBC News’ Washington, D.C. bureau, while recording voiceovers for the Sunday edition of Meet the Press. He died of a heart attack and is buried in Rock Creek Cemetery.
His career
Tim Russert ran a New York-based law firm owned by U.S. Senator Daniel Moynihan and later Moynihan’s special counsel and chief of staff. He then worked as a senior aide to New York Governor Mario Cuomo in 1983, before jumping on the media bandwagon the following year.
He joined the NBC News bureau in Washington, and five years later became bureau chief. In 1991, he assumed the role of host of the Sunday morning program. Meet the press. During his time on the show, he brought about many changes that helped make him one of the most important sources of political information. A year after he began hosting the series, he suggested moving to an hour-long format and, therefore, focusing more on in-depth interviews with high-profile guests. The news/interview show received over four million viewers a week. Russert also often moderated political campaign debates. He moderated Meet the Pressfor over 16 years. In 2008, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
In addition to moderating the famous political spectacle, he also served as senior vice president at NBC News (1984-1988), Washington bureau chief at NBC News (1988-2008), co-anchoring the evening’s coverage network campaigner (1992-2006) and also hosted a self-titled CNBC/MSNBC weekend interview program. He also frequented NBC ‘s The Today Show and Hardball as a correspondent and guest. Tim Russert has also covered several presidential elections.
During his career, Tim Russert has won numerous awards for excellence in journalism as well as 48 honorary doctorates. He also received an Emmy Award for his coverage of former POTUS Ronald Reagan’s funeral in 2005.
Net value
As a journalist, Tim Russert has dutifully worked his way up the ranks to become one of America’s most notable television reporters. His career spanned more than two decades, working for one of the most reputable networks in the industry. Russert has won numerous awards and been held in high esteem not only in the industry, but also across the country. His net worth has not been revealed, but it would no doubt be an impressive amount.
His family – wife, son
The second of four children, legendary journalist Tim Russert was the only son born to Elizabeth “Betty” (née Seeley), a housewife, and Timothy Joseph “Big Russ” Russert, a sanitation worker. He was raised with his sisters. Betty Ann, Kathleen and Patricia in a Catholic home.
Tim’s parents tied the knot in 1946 and were married for 30 years before separating in 1976. His father was a World War II veteran who worked two jobs for three decades with no complaints. Tim praised his father for teaching him to appreciate the values of hard work, self-discipline, respect and loyalty that helped him build a remarkable career. Big Russ died on September 24, 2009, five years after his ex-wife, Betty, died on August 14, 2005.
Tim Russert was married to Maureen Orth in 1983 until his death. Orth is also a journalist and author. She has also been a special correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine since 1993. They had a child, the son of Luke Russert. His son followed in Tim’s footsteps and became an NBC News correspondent in 2008.