American Journalist Dan Rather Battled With Rheumatic Fever At 11
The former anchor of CBS, Dan Rather, returned to CBS on Sunday after departing from the network for almost 18 years.
Dan Rather is an American journalist, commentator, and former national evening news anchor for CBS, born on October 31, 1931.
Highlights
- Dan was diagnosed with rheumatic fever when he was only 11 years old.
- Dan Rather has undergone surgery to remove cancerous skin cells from his face.
- As of 2024, Dan is fit and fine. He has recently returned to the CBS network after 18 years.
- Dan left the CBS network due to a mismanaged investigation into former President George W. Bush’s Military service.
In 1950, he completed his graduation from John H. Reagan High School in Houston. Later, he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, Texas.
He started his journalism career as an Associated Press reporter in Huntsville, Texas, in 1950.
Later, Rather became a reporter for the United States, several Texas radio stations, and the Houston Chronicle.
In 2007, he filed a $70 million lawsuit against CBS, its former parent company Viacom; CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves; Sumner Redstone, chairman of both Viacom and CBS; and Andrew Heyward, former president of CBS News.
Dan Rather Was Diagnosed With Rheumatic Fever
A professional journalist, Dan Rather, has not mentioned that he has any illness in his current situation.
However, Dan became severely ill when he was only 11 years old. Doctors took some time to diagnose his condition.
Later, it was determined that Dan had contracted rheumatic fever, which is a potentially life-threatening disease with no known cure at that time.
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Moreover, doctors have advised him to prevent the fever from spreading and to rest in bed.
Dan spent the next few years listening to the radio coverage of the war, becoming obsessed with the pioneering work of early news broadcasters.
Rather later said,
“If I ever get up from this bed, I’m going to make every minute count.”
After some time, Dan Rather recovered from the fever and obtained a degree in journalism.
Dan Rather Has Undergone Surgery To Remove Cancerous Skin Cells
Previously, in 2004, Dan Rather said that he had undergone surgery to remove cancerous skin cells from his face.
Moreover, CBS had announced that Dan had some basal skin cells removed from his face as a precautionary measure.
During his appearance through closed circuit television, Dan wore a large bandage over his nose.
Dan said on CBS Evening News,
“So I thank you for your understanding and concern and urge you to get a skin cancer examination.”
Dan Rather Doesn’t Seem To Have Any Health Issues In 2024
Many fans have speculated that Dan left the CBS network due to health issues.
Still, the actual reason was a mismanaged investigation into former President George W. Bush’s Military service.
Moreover, Dan has not reported any health issues on social media or anywhere else. At the age of 93, he still has an active presence on social media.
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Additionally, Dan has returned to the CBS News airwaves for the first time since his exit 18 years ago. He still looks fit and fine.
Dan is aware of mental health issues as he hosts several projects for AXS TV, including Dan Rather Presents, which provides in-depth reporting on broad topics such as mental health care or adoptions.
Additional Information
- Dan Rather is the son of father Daniel Irvin Rather Sr., a ditch digger, and mother Byrl Veda Page.
- Dan Rather is married to Jean Goebel. The couple had two childrens: daughter Robin Rather and son Danjack Rather.
- Dan Rather has an estimated net worth of $70 million as of 2024.
