Dan Rather, 93, left heartbroken after death of wife Jean at 89: ‘Today is the saddest of days’

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Dan Rather lost Jean Rather, his wife of over six decades, on Tuesday, November 26, following her battle with cancer.

A Facebook statement released by friends of the former longtime CBS News anchor shared that Jean died at their home in Austin, Texas, “surrounded by loving family and friends and her beautiful artwork.”

The post also noted, “Today is the saddest of days for Dan and the extended Rather family. Please keep the Rathers in your thoughts. Jean lived a full life as an incredible wife, mother, friend, and artist — and a true Texan.”

Jean Rather remembered as a ‘proficient artist and tremendous mother’

The late artist was in “hospice care for some time,” the social media statement added.

It also included an obituary, which revealed that after graduating from Smithville public schools, Jean met “her one true love, Dan Rather, at a Houston radio station."

They got married in 1957 and went on to "share 67 years of marriage living in Dallas, Washington, DC, London, and New York City.” In 2021, the couple shifted back to Texas.

Describing Jean as “a steadfast advisor,” the eulogy mentioned that she “never forgot where she came from, never lost her Texas roots, and never wavered from her fierce independence and endless creativity.”

The obit added that despite being a proficient artist, Jean was “always modest” and was “a tremendous mother and grandmother”.

Dan Rather called his wife Jean a ‘fighter’

In June 2023, Dan Rather spoke about his wife Jean while discussing the documentary ‘Rather’.

He revealed the toughest time he faced due to his super busy schedule, but because of Jean things went smoothly.

“The first year I was with CBS News, I was home 41 days out of the year. Forty-one days out of the year. Very hard to hold a marriage and a family together then,” he recalled, as per PEOPLE.

Dan, however, noted that his wife and her “fighting heart” supported him a lot.

“Jeannie Grace Goebel [who] was absolutely committed: 'Whatever it takes, we're going to make it work.' And maybe the saving grace was ... [that] 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,” he shared.

He also asserted, “And again, all credit to Jean to whom I've been married for 66 years now.”

People send their condolences to Rather family

Meanwhile, many people flooded the comments section of the Facebook post to pay tribute to Jean Rather.

A person shared, “Holding the Rather family and loved ones in my heart and wrapping them with love and compassion.”

Another wrote, “My sincere condolences to Dan and the entire Rather family. May her remarkable spirit soar...💗”

One individual said, “I am so sorry😞sending love to the family. Dan has been our calm and rational voice for as long as I can remember. Thank you for always providing us the news and being a father to us all.”

“A beautiful tribute. She leaves a legacy. My thoughts are with the Rather family,” another commented.

“So incredibly sad to read this news. Jean sounded like a remarkable woman and citizen. Sending much love and healing energy to Dan and his family,” another person posted.

Another netizen remarked, “Sending sincere condolences. It sounds like Jean was an amazing woman the likes of which we should all aspire to be. Blessings to the Rather family. Prayers for comfort and peace🙏.”

“My deepest condolences to Dan and his family. She sounded like an amazing lady. But I am not in the least bit surprised. They must have made a great team,” one penned.

"Offering prayers and condolences to @DanRather , whose dear wife Jean Rather passed away at their home in Austin, Texas, early this morning," film critic Joe Leydon tweeted.

"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. #sad #DanRather," writer Bob D'Angelo added.

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