Bobbie Battista, former CNN anchor, dies at 67

Former CNN anchor Bobbie Battista has died after a four-year battle with cervical cancer. She was 67.

Family spokeswoman Wendy Guarisco confirmed Battista’s death to USA TODAY. She said Battista died Tuesday morning in Davenport, Iowa.

CNNand journalist David Gelles first reported the news.

“Bobbie was the consummate trooper in her struggle with cancer, she was courageous and fearless in her battle and thoughtful for all the others in her life even as she fought through the pain,” Battista’s husband, John Brimelow, told CNN in a statement Tuesday. “My dear partner of 25 years of marriage has cut her earthly bonds and is now in peace.”

Gelles, an executive producer of CNN political and special events programming, shared the news in a statement to Twitter Tuesday.

“Battista was one of the original CNN Headline News anchors when the network launched in 1981,” he wrote. “She anchored several news programs on CNN including ‘TalkBack Live.’ “

Battista was born in New Jersey and studied at Northwestern University.

USA TODAY has reached out to CNN for comment.

Read more at usatoday.com