History of Lesley Stahl in Timeline

Lesley Rene Stahl is a highly-acclaimed American television journalist known for her investigative reporting and foreign correspondence. She has spent the majority of her career at CBS News, starting as a producer in 1971 and transitioning to a reporter role for 60 Minutes in 1991. Stahl has garnered numerous awards throughout her career, including a Lifetime Achievement News and Documentary Emmy Award in 2003, highlighting her impactful contributions to journalism.

December 16, 1941: Birth of Lesley Stahl

Lesley Rene Stahl was born on December 16, 1941, in the Boston suburb of Lynn, Massachusetts. She was born into a Jewish family and raised in Swampscott, Massachusetts. Her parents were Dorothy J. (née Tishler) and Louis E. Stahl, a food company executive.

1941: Birth and Early Life of Lesley Stahl

Lesley Stahl was born in 1941 in Lynn, Massachusetts, and raised in Swampscott. She grew up in a Jewish family and later attended Wheaton College, where she majored in history and graduated with honors.

1971: Lesley Stahl joins CBS News

In 1971, Lesley Stahl began her career with CBS News, initially working as a producer. This marked the beginning of a long and distinguished career in journalism.

1971: Joining CBS News

Lesley Stahl joined CBS News in 1971, marking the start of her long-standing career with the network, initially as a producer and later as a correspondent.

June 1972: Early Coverage of Watergate Break-In

In June 1972, Lesley Stahl covered the early stages of the Watergate scandal, reporting on the arrest of burglars at the Watergate complex. Her coverage earned her recognition as she was the only television reporter to capture images of the burglars at their court appearances.

1972: Coverage of Watergate Scandal

In 1972, Lesley Stahl covered the Watergate scandal, reporting on one of the most significant political events in U.S. history. Her reporting on this event helped establish her reputation as a skilled journalist.

1972: Covered the 1972 Nixon-McGovern Election

Lesley Stahl covered the 1972 Nixon-McGovern election, during which she experienced early challenges in her role, including gender biases at CBS News, as noted by her anecdote about her studio chair being marked with 'Female' rather than her name.

1974: Becoming a CBS News Correspondent

In 1974, Lesley Stahl became a correspondent for CBS News, a significant step in her journalism career.

1974: Impeachment Hearings of President Nixon

Lesley Stahl reported on the impeachment hearings of President Nixon in 1974, a pivotal moment in American political history, showcasing her commitment to covering crucial political events.

1977: Marriage to Aaron Latham

Lesley Stahl married author Aaron Latham in 1977. They have one daughter together.

1980: Breaking News at Republican Convention

At the Republican Convention in 1980, Lesley Stahl broke the news that negotiations between Reagan and ex-President Ford had failed, leading to George H. W. Bush being chosen as the vice-presidential nominee.

1981: Reporting on the Assassination Attempt on President Reagan

In 1981, Lesley Stahl covered the assassination attempt on President Reagan, further solidifying her role as a prominent journalist in political reporting.

1981: Coverage of the 1981 Assassination Attempt on Reagan

In 1981, Lesley Stahl reported on the assassination attempt on President Reagan, highlighting her dedication to covering major political events.

September 1983: Lesley Stahl becomes moderator of Face the Nation

In September 1983, Lesley Stahl became the moderator of Face the Nation, where she interviewed prominent figures and covered significant political events.

August 1989: Memorable Trip to Rwanda

In August 1989, Lesley Stahl visited Rwanda to see Dian Fossey's mountain gorillas. This experience left a profound impact on her, as she witnessed the gorillas' natural behavior up close and reflected on the potential for future memorable experiences.

1990: Co-host of America Tonight

In 1990, Lesley Stahl became the co-host of America Tonight, a daily CBS News late-night broadcast featuring interviews and essays, alongside Charles Kuralt.

May 1991: End of Lesley Stahl's tenure as moderator of Face the Nation

Lesley Stahl concluded her role as the moderator of Face the Nation in May 1991, having spent many years interviewing key figures and shaping public discourse.

May 1991: Conclusion of Face the Nation Moderation

Lesley Stahl ended her tenure as the moderator of Face the Nation in May 1991, having played a key role in political journalism during this period.

1991: Lesley Stahl begins reporting for 60 Minutes

In 1991, Lesley Stahl started her role as a reporter for CBS's 60 Minutes, a position that significantly elevated her profile in journalism.

1991: Coverage of the Gulf War

Lesley Stahl reported on the Gulf War in 1991, providing insights and coverage of the conflict as part of her extensive career in journalism.

1998: Lesley Stahl Appears on Sitcom Frasier

In 1998, Lesley Stahl made a guest appearance on the NBC sitcom Frasier, playing herself in the episode "Desperately Seeking Closure."

1999: Publication of First Book 'Reporting Live'

In 1999, Lesley Stahl published her first book, 'Reporting Live,' where she shares her experiences and insights from her journalism career.

2002: Hosting 48 Hours Investigates and Al Gore Interview

In 2002, Lesley Stahl hosted 48 Hours Investigates and made headlines with an interview featuring Al Gore on 60 Minutes, where he announced he would not run for president in 2004.

2003: Lifetime Achievement News and Documentary Emmy Award

In 2003, Lesley Stahl was honored with a Lifetime Achievement News and Documentary Emmy Award, recognizing her overall excellence in reporting throughout her career.

2004: Conclusion of Hosting Role on 48 Hours Investigates

Lesley Stahl ended her role as the host of 48 Hours Investigates in 2004, having contributed significantly to the program during her tenure.

2007: Interview with Nicolas Sarkozy on 60 Minutes

In 2007, Lesley Stahl conducted an interview with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 60 Minutes, which gained attention when Sarkozy abruptly ended the interview due to questions about his wife. The incident occurred two weeks before Sarkozy and his wife announced their divorce.

2008: Founding Member of wowOwow.com

In 2008, Lesley Stahl co-founded wowOwow.com, a website for women over 40 to discuss culture, politics, and gossip. This initiative highlighted her contributions beyond traditional journalism.

2010: wowOwow.com Merges into PureWow

By the end of 2010, the website wowOwow.com, co-founded by Lesley Stahl, merged into PureWow, shifting its focus to a younger audience.

2014: Correspondent for "Years of Living Dangerously"

In 2014, Lesley Stahl worked as a correspondent for the documentary series "Years of Living Dangerously", which focused on the issue of climate change.

2016: Publication of "Becoming Grandma"

Lesley Stahl's second book, "Becoming Grandma: The Joys and Science of the New Grandparenting," was published in 2016. The book explores the joys and science of grandparenting, drawing from Stahl's personal experiences with her grandchildren.

May 3, 2020: Lesley Stahl's COVID-19 Diagnosis

On May 3, 2020, Lesley Stahl publicly revealed her hospitalization due to COVID-19 during a broadcast of 60 Minutes. She later recovered.

October 20, 2020: Interview with President Trump

On October 20, 2020, Lesley Stahl interviewed then-President Donald Trump for a segment on 60 Minutes. The interview was cut short by President Trump, who later released the full recording on Facebook before it was officially aired on 60 Minutes.

May 2021: Criticism for 60 Minutes Special on Transgender Healthcare

In May 2021, Lesley Stahl and 60 Minutes faced criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups regarding a special about transgender healthcare. The segment was accused of "fearmongering" and causing harm to the trans community, particularly trans youth, with its focus on "detransitioners."