Mark Knoller, the legendary CBS News White House correspondent whose career spanned more than three decades and eight presidential administrations, died in Washington, D.C., at the age of 73 on August 31, 2025. His death, confirmed by CBS News and close friends, marks the end of an era in political journalism. While the precise cause of death was not disclosed, Knoller had long suffered from diabetes and had been in declining health.
Knoller’s impact on the White House press corps and American journalism was profound. Known as the unofficial presidential historian and statistician, Knoller filled a void that no one else seemed willing—or able—to address. As CBS News’ Chip Reid put it, "His frustration over the lack of a central database of daily presidential actions inspired him to take upon himself the enormous burden of keeping meticulous records of every presidential act, movement, and utterance, single-handedly filling an immense void in American history."
His meticulous record-keeping became legendary. Knoller himself once described his process succinctly: "I keep a daily log of everything the president does. I keep a list of speeches. I keep a list of travel—foreign travel, domestic travel. A list of outings. A list of golf. A list of pardons, vetoes, states that he's visited, states that he hasn't visited. Every time he goes on vacation, every visit to Camp David." According to CBS News, these logs were not just for his own benefit. In the fiercely competitive world of journalism, Knoller stood out for his generosity. He regularly shared his comprehensive records with reporters on deadline, historians, and even White House aides seeking to fill gaps in their own records. "He believed the public had a right to know," wrote Reid.
Tom Cibrowski, president and executive editor of CBS News, praised Knoller as "the hardest-working and most prolific White House correspondent of a generation." Cibrowski added, "Everyone in America knew his distinctive voice and his up-to-the-minute reporting across eight Presidential administrations." His voice, indeed, became a staple of CBS Radio broadcasts, with listeners coming to rely on his detailed, accurate, and always timely updates from the heart of American power.
Born on February 20, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York, Knoller’s passion for journalism was apparent from an early age. After graduating from New York University, he started his career as an intern and copy boy at WNEW Radio in New York, quickly working his way up to weekend reporter. In 1975, he joined the Associated Press Radio Network, where he spent thirteen years honing his craft and building a reputation for thoroughness and reliability.
Knoller’s journey to CBS News began with a chance conversation with producer Susan Zirinsky during a reporting trip to Helsinki and Moscow. Zirinsky, recognizing his talent and drive, encouraged him to join the CBS News Washington Bureau as an assignment editor in 1988. But the newsroom wasn’t enough for Knoller. As Zirinsky later recalled, he was "miserable" sending others out to cover the news—he wanted to be in the thick of it himself. CBS News soon offered him his dream job as White House correspondent for CBS Radio, a role in which he would truly leave his mark.
As White House correspondent, Knoller covered the last year of President George H.W. Bush’s term, both terms of Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, and the first term of Donald Trump. His coverage was characterized by an encyclopedic knowledge of presidential history and a relentless commitment to accuracy. His records became a vital resource for colleagues and competitors alike.
The demands Knoller placed on himself were immense. He worked long hours, often staying late into the night at the White House after most of his colleagues had gone home, meticulously updating his logs. Yet, despite the "hard-earned gold mine" of information he amassed, Knoller never hesitated to share it. As Jim Axelrod, chief correspondent and executive editor for CBS News’ Eye on America franchise, noted, "As impressive as Mark Knoller’s sweep of knowledge about the White House and the presidency was—it was surpassed only by his generosity toward his many friends and colleagues. And he always answered with kindness, class, and a sincere desire to help."
Knoller’s colleagues were quick to offer heartfelt tributes following his passing. Norah O’Donnell, CBS News senior correspondent, remembered him as "simply the best, a legendary White House journalist who was a delight to be around. His work was his life. He was kind, funny and always gracious in sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of the presidency. His CBS family adored him, and we will miss our friend." Major Garrett, CBS News’ chief White House correspondent, said, "Mark Knoller defined what it means to chronicle and cover the White House. Mark added value where others never could—myself included. Mark was the most devoted, tenacious and clear-eyed journalist I have ever had the honor of knowing. For as long as I live, I will count among my life’s greatest blessings that I was able to work alongside him."
Knoller’s career took an unexpected turn in its final decade. As vocal issues made it increasingly difficult for him to continue as a radio correspondent, he embraced the rise of Twitter (now X), quickly becoming a trusted and prolific source on the platform. His audience grew to 300,000 followers, and he continued to share his signature facts, figures, and witticisms with the public. Even as his voice faded from the airwaves, his influence only grew.
He officially retired from CBS in 2020, but his legacy continued to resonate in the halls of the White House and among the journalists who cover it. Knoller’s meticulous documentation of presidential life, his generosity, and his commitment to the public’s right to know set a standard few could match. His records, now part of the historical fabric of the presidency, will remain a resource for generations of journalists and historians.
Mark Knoller’s life was a testament to the power of persistence, curiosity, and kindness in journalism. His distinctive voice—on air and online—helped shape the public’s understanding of the presidency for more than thirty years. He will be remembered not only for his encyclopedic knowledge but for the warmth, wit, and generosity he shared with colleagues and the country alike.
