Journalist Helen Thomas, dead at 92

Long-time White House correspondent Helen Thomas takes up her seat on the front row of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing of the White House in 2007. Thomas died Saturday at 92. | Getty Images file

WASHINGTON–Journalist Helen Thomas, a legendary figure who covered the White House for decades and paved the way for generations of female reporters–only to be controversial in the very last stage of her career–died Saturday morning. She was 92 and would have been 93 on Aug. 4.

Thomas was the first female member of the Gridiron Club and according to a club e-mail, Thomas died at her home here after a long illness. Thomas was always friendly and supportive of the women reporters who followed in her footsteps.

She covered every president from John Kennedy to Barack Obama. CNN’s Helen Thomas obit is HERE. She retired in 2010 after she made remarks about Jews and Israel. My 2010 post on that controversy is HERE. In announcing her retirement, Thomas said she “deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians.” My 2010 post on Thomas’ retirement is HERE.