Dan Rather devastated as wife Jean Rather dies at 89 following health battle: ‘The saddest of days’

Dan Rather’s wife Jean Rather has died at the age 89 following a battle with cancer, friends of the family announced in a Facebook post Tuesday.

‘Today is the saddest of days for Dan and the extended Rather family,’ the post read. ‘Jean Rather, Dan’s wife, passed away at their home in Austin, Texas, early this morning.

Jean, who was married to the iconic newsman, 93, for 67 years, ‘had been on hospice care for some time, but the news still comes as a shock for those of us who knew and loved her.

The statement continued: ‘Please keep the Rathers in your thoughts. Jean lived a full life as an incredible wife, mother, friend, and artist – and a true Texan.’

An obituary put out by the family noted that Jean was ‘surrounded by loving family and friends and her beautiful artwork’ at the time she passed away Tuesday.

The family said that Jean’s ’cause of death was cancer.’

Jean and Dan, pictured in 2017 in NYC, shared a 67-year marriage 

Jean’s family noted in the obit that she was as ‘a very accomplished artist’ whose ‘paintings and collages were shown in galleries and private collections across the United States.

‘She attended art classes at American University and Mary Mount Manhattan College,’ the obit stated. ‘Through careful study of master artists’ paintings and sculpture in museums in England, France, Italy, Russia, Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Southeast Asia, Jean created a unique contemporary philosophy and style.’

Jean had been New York City’s Painter Member and Vice Chair of the Art Commission for an eight-year span, her family said.

Jean’s ‘many dear friends have been wonderful companions, and their love and support meant the world to her,’ the obit read. 

Jean had also been affiliated with nonprofit organizations such as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, UT Press, and the Harry Ransom Center, according to her family.

Dan Rather told People last year that Jean was ‘absolutely committed’ to him throughout his career, which kept him on the road for long stretches early on.

‘The first year I was with CBS News, I was home 41 days out of the year,’ Dan said. ’41 days out of the year. Very hard to hold a marriage and a family together then.’

Dan said Jean’s ‘fighting heart’ and can-do mentality was a driving force in their marriage, which spanned more than six decades.

Jean’s family said she was as ‘a very accomplished artist’ whose ‘paintings and collages were shown in galleries and private collections across the United States 

The couple was pictured at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Washington D.C. in December of 1987

The couple was pictured in their native Austin, Texas in March of 2018 during SXSW 

‘”Whatever it takes, we’re going to make it work,”‘ he said of her mentality. ‘And maybe the saving grace was … when I was home, I tried to hit the off switch.

‘I tried to make every hour count with my children, Robin, my eldest, and Dan, my youngest. They grew up with it. And again, all credit to Jean to whom I’ve been married for 66 years now.’

A number of people on X/Twitter posted well-wishes for the former CBS anchor amid news of his wife’s passing.

Film critic Joe Leydon said: ‘Offering prayers and condolences to @DanRather, whose dear wife Jean Rather passed away at their home in Austin, Texas, early this morning.’

Veteran news editor-producer Jerry Cipriano said, ‘Deepest condolences to my dear friend Dan Rather on the passing of his beloved wife, Jean. May she rest in peace.

Writer Bob D’Angelo said, Sending prayers and thoughts to @DanRather after hearing about today’s passing of his beloved wife of 67 years, Jean Goebel Rather. If you’ve read any of Dan’s books, you’d know what a rock Jean was during his times – good and bad – as a journalist.’

Reporter Robert Lang said, ‘Condolences to @DanRather on the loss of his wife. They were married for 67 years.’

One user wrote, ‘SAY A PRAYER FOR DAN RATHER: Jean Rather, Dan’s wife, passed away at their home in Austin, earlier today. Their marriage lasted 67-years!’

The family said that in lieu of flowers, ‘a wonderful way to remember’ Jean would be to donate to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, based out of Austin, Texas.

Jean is survived by her husband, Dan; son Danjack and partner Ann Prunty, and grandson Martin; daughter Robin and partner, Mike Marler and grandson Andy; ‘and many members of the extended Wallace, Zimerhanzel, and Rather families,’ the obit stated.