The disease from hell strikes again.
CBS News foreign news editor Ana Real passed away from leukemia yesterday at the age of 60.
“Ana was part of the heart and soul of this organization. It didn’t matter if you were an executive, a producer, a production associate. She stood up for you and made all of us better at our jobs,” CBS News president Susan Zirinsky said in a statement.
Zirinsky added: “Be nice to everyone today—be nice to the people you like and the people you may not like. Because that’s what Ana would want.”
As CBS News foreign news editor, she managed teams of journalists around the globe reporting for CBS This Morning, the CBS Evening News, 48 Hours, Face the Nation, CBS Sunday Morning, 60 Minutes, CBSN and all CBS News platforms.
Born and raised in Nicaragua and living in New Jersey, Real joined CBS News in January 2001 and would go on to win two News & Documentary Emmys during her time at the network. She was a critical part in the network’s reporting on such stories as the young survivors of the earthquake in Haiti and the questionable practices of international adoptions.
CBSN anchor/CBS News correspondent Vlad Duthiers weighed in on social media:
Beyond heartbroken to learn cancer has taken our @CBSNews colleague Ana Real. A phenomenal journalist who dazzled everyone with her talent, her smile & her zest for life. I will miss her. Here she is sitting right beside me less than a year ago at @BojorquezCBS’ Miami home. pic.twitter.com/itngXVjvP0
— Vladimir Duthiers (@vladduthiersCBS) March 27, 2019
CBS News national correspondent Manny Bojorquez weighed in as well:
Ana Real lit up every room, made every story she touched infinitely better, was caring and nurturing while at the same time a force of nature. Cancer has robbed us once again. There will be no replacing her, only honoring her through the type of journalism she loved … pic.twitter.com/gAFxXLMNZm
— Manuel Bojorquez (@BojorquezCBS) March 27, 2019
Here’s CBS News congressional correspondent Ed O’Keefe with Bojorquez and Real:
We at @CBSNews are terribly sad to learn of the death of foreign editor Ana Real (pictured here along with @BojorquezCBS), a brilliant chismosa and strong champion for much-needed coverage of the Americas and rest of the world. We will miss you, Ana. Descansa en paz. pic.twitter.com/hYGgiHNsXI
— Ed O’Keefe (@edokeefe) March 27, 2019
CBS This Morning cohost Norah O’Donnell, who has had some health issues of her own, also weighed in via Twitter:
We at @CBSNews are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and a pioneer in journalism Ana Real (pictured on right). She fought every day for our broadcasts to help cover foreign news. Her passion and brilliance made us all better. We will miss you. pic.twitter.com/MqOBdwoLOD
— Norah O’Donnell🇺🇸 (@NorahODonnell) March 27, 2019
As did former CBS Evening News ep Steve Capus:
Thoughts are with my @CBSNews friends today who are dealing with the loss of a beloved colleague, Ana Real… A dedicated journalist and good friend to all in the CBS News family https://t.co/83CKTAYSbi
— Steve Capus (@SteveCapus) March 27, 2019