“We just lost a trailblazer.” — Uma Pemmaraju, original Fox News Channel anchor, dies at 64, leaving behind a legacy few can match… click the link to read more Who was Uma Pemmaraju, and why did her voice resonate with millions when Fox News first launched? What challenges did she overcome as a woman of color in a competitive, male-dominated industry? What impact did she have on shaping the tone and credibility of the early Fox News brand? How are colleagues, viewers, and journalists remembering her legacy today? What causes or personal beliefs drove her work behind the scenes? How did her career evolve in the years following her rise to prominence? What does her passing mean for the future of representation in American broadcast journalism? Her death has left many in shock. As one of the founding anchors of Fox News Channel in 1996, Uma Pemmaraju was more than just a recognizable face — she was a symbol of excellence, intellect, and cultural change. Breaking barriers as one of the first Indian-American news anchors on a national network, she delivered the news with poise and empathy. Tributes have poured in from across the media industry, honoring not just her journalism, but her generosity, mentorship, and quiet strength. What stories did she still want to tell? What void does her absence leave behind?
“We just lost a trailblazer.” — Uma Pemmaraju, original Fox News Channel anchor, dies at 64, leaving behind a legacy few can match… click the link to read more
Who was Uma Pemmaraju, and why did her voice resonate with millions when Fox News first launched?
What challenges did she overcome as a woman of color in a competitive, male-dominated industry?
What impact did she have on shaping the tone and credibility of the early Fox News brand?
How are colleagues, viewers, and journalists remembering her legacy today?
What causes or personal beliefs drove her work behind the scenes?
How did her career evolve in the years following her rise to prominence?
What does her passing mean for the future of representation in American broadcast journalism?
Her death has left many in shock. As one of the founding anchors of Fox News Channel in 1996, Uma Pemmaraju was more than just a recognizable face — she was a symbol of excellence, intellect, and cultural change. Breaking barriers as one of the first Indian-American news anchors on a national network, she delivered the news with poise and empathy. Tributes have poured in from across the media industry, honoring not just her journalism, but her generosity, mentorship, and quiet strength. What stories did she still want to tell? What void does her absence leave behind?
Founding Fox News Channel anchor Uma Pemmaraju has died at age 64.
Pemmaraju was on the air when Fox News launched on Oct. 7, 1996. At the time, Pemmaraju was one of the only Indian-American anchors to reach national prominence, and she was beloved by viewers and Fox News colleagues alike.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Uma Pemmaraju, who was one of FOX News Channel’s founding anchors and was on the air the day we launched. Uma was an incredibly talented journalist as well as a warm and lovely person, best known for her kindness to everyone she worked with. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her entire family,” FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said.
Pemmaraju’s daughter Kirina released a statement, telling Fox News, “The sudden death of my mother, Uma Pemmaraju, has been deeply devastating and incredibly shocking and unexpected. She was a light who brought so much compassion and inspiration to those around her. Journalism truly defined who my mother was. We thank you for your continued kindness, support, and privacy during this unimaginable time.”
A cause of death was not immediately made public.
Original Fox News host Uma Pemmaraju has died at the age of 64.
Pemmaraju first anchored “Fox News Now” and “Fox On Trends.” She left the network but rejoined in 2003 as an anchor and substitute host across the network. She also hosted the Sunday edition of “FOX News Live,” anchored “The Fox Report” and interviewed newsmakers, celebrities and political figures from all walks of life, including a memorable sit-down with the Dalai Lama.
Pemmaraju also hosted a variety of specials for Fox News, such as “A Special for Young People,” which features top newsmakers offering advice on life challenges to young adults. In 2012, Pemmaraju was surprised on Mother’s Day when her daughter appeared live on-air during a Fox News segment.
The award-winning anchor was born in India, raised in Texas and honed her craft at local stations in Dallas, Baltimore and WBZ-TV in Boston, before relocating to New York to help launch Fox News Channel. Her family told WBZ-TV’s David Wade she was a “noble soul and pioneer.”
Pemmaraju was named “Boston’s Best Anchor” in 1996 and 1997 by Boston Magazine and received several Emmy awards throughout her career for reporting and investigative journalism. She was named one of Spotlight Magazine’s “20 Intriguing Women of 1998.” Pemmaraju also won the Texas AP award for reporting in 2002, the Woman of Achievement award from the Big Sisters Organization of America and the Matrix Award from Women in Communications.
Aside from her decorated television career, Pemmaraju served as a reporter for the San Antonio Express News and taught journalism at Emerson College and Harvard University.
Pemmaraju received her degree in political science from Trinity University in Texas.
This is a developing story, more to come…
Fox News’ Jay Soroko and David Rutz contributed to this report.
