White House journalist Helen Thomas has died following a lengthy battle with illness. She was 92.
Thomas’ career began under President John F. Kennedy in 1961 and worked diligently until 2010, covering 10 presidents and being dubbed the longest-serving White House journalist, CNN reports.
Thomas was noted as the leader of the press corps, an unofficial yet undisputed title given for her longstanding position solidified by her use of the statement “Thank you Mr. President” at the end of each conference, New York Times reports.
She was loved just as much by the Presidents she worked under. President Bill Clinton celebrated Thomas’ birthday with a cake on her 77th birthday and a batch of cupcakes from President Barack Obama on her 89th. Obama called working with Thomas during his first news conference his “inaugural moment.”
Noted as a fearless woman who wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions, Thomas was honored as the first female president of the White House Correspondents' Association and Washington's Gridiron Club. Throughout her career, she has become one of the icon for young journalists nationwide.
Thomas retired in 2010 after she was recorded saying that Jews should “get the hell out of Palestine” and go somewhere else “perhaps Germany…or Poland.” Thomas later issued an apology saying, “They do not reflect my heartfelt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon."
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