Martha Raddatz
Martha Raddatz is a familiar face and voice in American journalism, a veteran reporter whose career spans decades of covering the world's most critical events. As ABC News' Chief Global Affairs Correspondent, she has reported from battlefields and White House briefings alike, becoming known for her sharp questions and unwavering pursuit of truth. But beyond the headlines, what makes her reporting so impactful and enduring? Martha Raddatz established herself as a formidable national security correspondent, reporting directly from war zones. Her assertive, fact-driven interviewing style has earned both praise and occasional controversy in high-profile settings. Beyond breaking news, Raddatz leveraged her experience to become a bestselling author, bringing a human perspective to military conflict.
AI Summary
Martha Raddatz is a familiar face and voice in American journalism, a veteran reporter whose career spans decades of covering the world's most critical events. As ABC News' Chief Global Affairs Correspondent, she has reported from battlefields and White House briefings alike, becoming known for her sharp questions and unwavering pursuit of truth. But beyond the headlines, what makes her reporting so impactful and enduring?
- Martha Raddatz established herself as a formidable national security correspondent, reporting directly from war zones.
- Her assertive, fact-driven interviewing style has earned both praise and occasional controversy in high-profile settings.
- Beyond breaking news, Raddatz leveraged her experience to become a bestselling author, bringing a human perspective to military conflict.
Meet Martha Raddatz
Martha Raddatz is a highly respected American reporter, holding the prestigious title of Chief Global Affairs Correspondent for ABC News. You've likely seen her reporting on 'World News Tonight with David Muir,' 'Nightline,' and as a familiar co-anchor on 'This Week with George Stephanopoulos,' where she often fills in as the primary anchor.
A Reporter's Roots
Born in Idaho Falls in 1953, Martha's family later settled in Salt Lake City. Her journey into journalism began quite early, even before completing her formal education. She attended the University of Utah, but the call of the newsroom was too strong.
Raddatz made the pivotal decision to leave university and dive straight into the world of reporting, starting her career at a local station. This early hands-on experience laid the foundation for the remarkable career that would follow.
A Career Forged in News
Early Years in Boston and Washington
Before joining the national stage at ABC News, Raddatz honed her skills as the chief correspondent at WCVB-TV, the ABC affiliate in Boston, until 1993. Her reporting prowess quickly became evident, paving the way for bigger opportunities.
From 1993 to 1998, Martha took on a critical role, covering the Pentagon for National Public Radio. This period immersed her in defense and national security reporting—an area that would become a defining feature of her distinguished career.
Joining ABC News and Global Affairs
Martha Raddatz officially joined ABC News in 1999 as their State Department correspondent, quickly proving her mettle. By May 2003, her expertise was recognized with a promotion to senior national security correspondent, leading to extensive reporting from the heart of Iraq.
One of her most significant scoops came on June 8, 2006, when Raddatz received a critical tip that terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been located and killed. Thanks to her sources, ABC News was the first organization globally to break this monumental news, shortly after 2:30 a.m. EST.
Interviews That Made Headlines
Raddatz is known for her direct and probing interview style. In a memorable March 2008 interview with Vice President Dick Cheney, marking the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, she asked about declining public confidence in the war. Cheney's dismissive 'So?' response stunned Raddatz and sparked widespread criticism, becoming a lasting moment in political journalism.
From Reporter to Author
Beyond her reporting, Martha Raddatz is also a New York Times bestselling author. Her book, 'The Long Road Home: A Story of War and Family,' recounts the harrowing Siege of Sadr City in Iraq, offering a deeply human perspective on the conflict. The book was later adapted into a compelling TV mini-series by National Geographic in 2017.
A White House Beat and a Humorous Moment
After her impactful national security reporting, Raddatz served as ABC's chief White House correspondent during the final term of the George W. Bush administration. Her time there wasn't without its lighter moments, like the time her phone accidentally rang during a press briefing—playing Chamillionaire's 'Ridin'' to the amusement of the entire press corps and then-Press Secretary Tony Snow.
In November 2008, Raddatz's role evolved again as she was appointed ABC's Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent. This position further solidified her standing as a leading voice in international news, covering global crises and diplomatic efforts with unparalleled insight.
Moderating High-Stakes Debates
Martha has twice stepped onto the national debate stage as a moderator, first for the 2012 Vice-Presidential debate between Paul Ryan and Joe Biden. Her sharp questions and command of the room earned her significant praise for guiding the discussion effectively.
She also co-moderated the second 2016 Presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump alongside Anderson Cooper. While her 'no-nonsense approach' was largely lauded, some critics felt her direct challenge to one of Trump's statements exceeded a moderator's mandate—a testament to her assertive style.
Her effectiveness stems, in part, from her deep connections. As 'The Guardian' noted in 2014, Raddatz 'is known for having well-cultivated sources inside the Defense Department,' giving her unparalleled access and insight into critical stories.
Raddatz's reputation extends even to fiction; she made a cameo appearance as herself in a 2017 episode of the Showtime series 'Homeland,' interviewing the President-elect. A true testament to her recognizable presence in American media.
Personal Life and Noteworthy Connections
Currently, Martha Raddatz lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her third husband, fellow journalist Tom Gjelten. She is a mother to two children, Greta Bradlee and Jake Genachowski, from her two previous marriages.
Her first marriage was to Ben Bradlee Jr., a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor and biographer, and son of the legendary Washington Post executive editor Benjamin C. Bradlee. Her family tree truly intertwines with American journalistic royalty.
Her second husband was Julius Genachowski, who later became chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission under the Obama administration. Interestingly, then-future President Barack Obama even attended their wedding in 1991 when he and Genachowski were classmates at Harvard Law School—highlighting the influential circles she has moved in throughout her life.
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Martha Raddatz
Martha Raddatz (; born February 14, 1953) is an American reporter with ABC News. She is the network's Chief Global Affairs Correspondent reporting for ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir, Nightline, and other network broadcasts. In addition to her work for ABC News, Raddatz has written for The New Republic and is a frequent guest on PBS's Washington Week. Raddatz is the co-anchor and primary fill-in anchor on This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
Early life
Martha Raddatz
Raddatz was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Edward Dustin Raddatz and Doris Elaine (née Anderson). Her family later moved to Salt Lake City. She attended the University of Utah but dropped out to work at a local station.
Career
Martha Raddatz
Raddatz interviewing U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in January 2013
Prior to 1993, Raddatz was the chief correspondent at the ABC News Boston affiliate WCVB-TV. From 1993 to 1998, Raddatz covered the Pentagon for National Public Radio.
Raddatz began her tenure at ABC News in 1999 as the network's State Department correspondent and became ABC's senior national security correspondent in May 2003, reporting extensively from Iraq. On June 8, 2006, Raddatz received a tip that terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been located and killed. This tip allowed Raddatz and ABC News to become the first news organization in the world to break the news shortly after 2:30 a.m. EST.
In a March 24, 2008, extended interview with Dick Cheney conducted in Ankara, Turkey, on the fifth anniversary of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Raddatz posed a question about public opinion polls showing that Americans had lost confidence in the war, a question to which Cheney responded by saying "So?" Raddatz appeared taken aback by the response, and Cheney's remark prompted widespread criticism, including a Washington Post op-ed by former Republican Congressman and Cheney friend Mickey Edwards.
Raddatz is also the author of the New York Times bestseller The Long Road Home: A Story of War and Family, a book about the Siege of Sadr City, Iraq. A TV mini series based on the book aired on NatGeo in late 2017.
After the national security beat, Raddatz became the network's chief White House correspondent for the last term of the George W. Bush administration. On January 9, 2007, Raddatz's mobile phone went off during a White House press briefing with Tony Snow. Of particular humor was her musical ring tone, Chamillionaire's "Ridin'." The press corps and Tony Snow enjoyed a few moments of laughter.
Raddatz was appointed as ABC's Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent in November 2008.
Raddatz served as the moderator of the Vice-Presidential debate on October 11, 2012, between Paul Ryan and Joe Biden at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Raddatz also served alongside Anderson Cooper as co-moderator for the second presidential debate in (/wiki/2016UnitedStatespresidentialelection), between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at Washington University in St. Louis. Cooper and Raddatz were reviewed and some commentators noted their "no-nonsense approach" and "aggressive style", though Raddatz was criticized for a challenge to one of Trump's statements, which some journalists felt "fell outside of her mandate as moderator".
The Guardian said in 2014 that Raddatz "is known for having well-cultivated sources inside the Defense Department."
Raddatz appeared as a reporter interviewing the President-elect of the United States in the 2017 episode "Imminent Risk" of the Showtime series Homeland.
Personal life
Martha Raddatz
Raddatz resides in Arlington, Virginia, with her third husband, journalist Tom Gjelten. She has two children from two previous marriages: a daughter, Greta Bradlee, and a son, Jake Genachowski. Her first husband was Ben Bradlee Jr., a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor for The Boston Globe, biographer, and son of former Washington Post executive editor Benjamin C. Bradlee. Her second husband was Julius Genachowski, chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission under the Obama administration. President Barack Obama attended their wedding in 1991, when he and Genachowski were students at Harvard Law School.