David Gergen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Gergen
Gergen at the 2013 World Economic Forum
Counselor to the President
In office May 29, 1993 – June 28, 1994
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Clayton Yeutter
Succeeded by	Mack McLarty
White House Communications Director
In office June 17, 1981 – January 15, 1984
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Frank Ursomarso
Succeeded by	Michael A. McManus Jr.
In office July 4, 1976 – January 20, 1977
President	Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Margita White
Succeeded by	Gerald Rafshoon (1978)
White House Staff Secretary
In office January 20, 1981 – June 17, 1981
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Richard Hutcheson
Succeeded by	Richard Darman
White House Director of Speechwriting
In office February 6, 1973 – August 9, 1974
President	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Ray Price
Succeeded by	Robert Hartmann
Personal details
Born	David Richmond Gergen (1942-05-09)May 9, 1942 Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	July 10, 2025(2025-07-10) (aged 83) Lexington, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Independent (after 2017)
Other political affiliations	Republican (before 2017)
Spouse	Anne Gergen
Children	2
Education	Yale University (BA) Harvard University (LLB)
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David Richmond Gergen (May 9, 1942 – July 10, 2025) was an American political expert and advisor who worked for several U.S. Presidents. He served in the administrations of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. Later, he became a senior political analyst for CNN and a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, where he helped start the Center for Public Leadership. Gergen was also a former editor for U.S. News & World Report and wrote for other publications. He was part of news teams that won important awards for their election coverage.

Early Life and Family

David Gergen was born in Durham, North Carolina. His father, John Jay Gergen, was a math professor at Duke University. David was the youngest of four children. One of his brothers, Kenneth J. Gergen, became a psychologist and retired professor.

His Education Journey

David went to Durham High School in his hometown. There, he was the editor of the school newspaper. After high school, he attended Yale University, earning his degree in American studies in 1963. At Yale, he was also the managing editor of the Yale Daily News. Many of his classmates there became important figures later on. David then earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1967. In the same year, he married Anne Elizabeth Gergen from London, England.

Working in the White House

Gergen with President Ronald Reagan in 1984

Gergen with President Bill Clinton in 1993

Gergen at the 2008 World Economic Forum

Before working in the White House, David Gergen spent three summers as an intern for North Carolina Governor Terry Sanford. He was very involved in efforts to support civil rights during this time. Gergen called this his "most satisfying experience in public service." He also served in the U.S. Navy for three and a half years, stationed in Japan. He wrote in his book that learning to control damage on his repair ship, USS Ajax, was great preparation for his time in the White House.

Helping Presidents

David Gergen started his political career in 1971, working for Richard Nixon as an assistant in the speech-writing office. Two years later, he became the director of speechwriting. In 1974, he briefly left the White House to write speeches for Treasury Secretary William E. Simon. Gergen learned a lot about free markets and careful money management during this time. He returned to the White House in 1975 as the director of communications for President Gerald Ford. In 1980, Gergen advised the George H. W. Bush presidential campaign. He then joined the Ronald Reagan White House in 1981, first as a staff director and later as director of communications. In 1993, Gergen returned to the White House again, serving as an advisor to President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

A Career in Journalism

After his time in government, David Gergen worked as a political journalist and commentator. He was a senior political analyst for CNN and often appeared on shows like Anderson Cooper 360.

In 1978, he became the first managing editor of Public Opinion magazine. From 1985 to 1986, he worked as an editor at U.S. News & World Report. He helped the magazine gain more readers and advertising.

Gergen's television career began in 1985 on the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, where he regularly discussed politics for five years. He was also a frequent guest on NPR and CBS’ Face the Nation. He wrote for Parade Magazine and other publications like The New York Times.

He was part of news teams that won Peabody awards for their election coverage in 1988 (with MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour) and in 2008 (with CNN).

Teaching and Leadership

David Gergen taught at Duke University from 1995 to 1999. In 1999, he joined the faculty at Harvard University. He was a professor of public service at the Harvard Kennedy School. There, he taught courses about leadership, public service, and U.S. politics.

At the Harvard Kennedy School, he helped lead the Center for Public Leadership. This center aims to improve teaching and research about leadership. It also provides scholarships to many students each year, helping them prepare to become leaders for the common good.

Gergen was also a visiting professor at Elon University and a fellow at Harvard University's Institute of Politics in 1984.

His Books and Ideas

David Gergen wrote a New York Times bestselling book called Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton. It was published in 2000. The book shares his experiences working in the Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton administrations.

In his book, Gergen suggested that America's future success depends on a new generation of leaders. He described seven important qualities these future leaders should have. These include having a strong purpose, being able to persuade others, and inspiring people to work towards a mission. His second book, Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made, was published in May 2022.

Personal Life and Family

David Gergen married Anne Elizabeth Gergen, a family therapist, in 1967. They lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They had two children and five grandchildren. Their son, Christopher, is a social entrepreneur and author, and also teaches at Duke University. Their daughter, Katherine, is a family doctor who works with people who need medical care the most at the Boston Medical Center.

In December 2024, Katherine shared that David Gergen had a health condition called Lewy body dementia, which affected his memory and thinking. He died at a retirement home in Lexington, Massachusetts, on July 10, 2025, at the age of 83.

Awards and Community Work

David Gergen was active on many non-profit boards. He served on the boards of Yale and Duke Universities. He was also involved with organizations like Teach for America, City Year, and the Aspen Institute. He chaired the advisory board for the new School of Law at Elon University. He was a member of the D.C. Bar, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the North American executive committee for the Trilateral Commission. Gergen received 27 honorary degrees, which are special awards from universities.

See also

• List of U.S. political appointments that crossed party lines