Charles Bierbauer—a veteran CNN correspondent who covered the White House, the Pentagon, and pivotal global events —has died at the age of 83, his family announced on Sunday. Bierbauer was a foundational figure at CNN, joining in 1981 as its first Pentagon correspondent. He later rose to become the network’s senior White House correspondent for nine years, providing coverage throughout the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. His extensive reporting also included presidential campaigns, the Supreme Court, and major international summits, earning him an Emmy for his coverage of the 1996 Olympic Park bombing. In a statement on Sunday, a CNN spokesperson described Bierbauer as “a tireless reporter and wonderful colleague.” “Charles will be remembered for his outstanding journalism and his willingness to help others,” the network said. Longtime anchor Wolf Blitzer, who was mentored by Bierbauer early in his career, also paid tribute to “a good friend, colleague, and mentor.” “I will certainly miss him,” he said. Following his retirement from CNN in 2001, Bierbauer became the inaugural dean of the University of South Carolina’s College of Mass Communications and Information Studies. He is survived by his wife, former AP journalist Susanne Schafer, and their four children.
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