Sam Donaldson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sam Donaldson
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Donaldson in 1995
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| Born |
Samuel Andrew Donaldson, Jr.
March 11, 1934 |
| Occupation | Journalist; television news pundit; panelist for ABC News Now |
| Years active | 1967-2009 |
| Spouse(s) |
Patricia Oates
(m. 1954; div. 1962)Billie Kay Butler
(m. 1963; div. 1980)Janice C. Smith
(m. 1983; div. 2014)Sandra Martorelli
(m. 2014) |
| Children | 4 |
| Military service | |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1956–1959 |
| Rank | Captain |
Samuel Andrew Donaldson Jr. (born March 11, 1934) is a famous retired television reporter and news anchor. He worked for ABC News from 1967 to 2009. He was well known as the White House Correspondent, covering news from the White House. People remembered his loud voice, which could even be heard over noisy helicopter blades! He also helped host the Sunday show This Week on the ABC network.
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Sam Donaldson's Early Life and Career
Donaldson was born in El Paso, Texas. His mother, Chloe, was a teacher, and his father, Samuel, was a farmer. He grew up on his family's farm in Chamberino, New Mexico. His father bought the farm in 1910, before New Mexico became a state.
He went to New Mexico Military Institute and then to Texas Western College. This college is now called the University of Texas at El Paso. While there, he managed the campus radio station, KTEP. From 1956 to 1959, Donaldson served in the United States Army. He was an artillery officer and reached the rank of Captain.
After his time in the military, Donaldson started working in television. He was hired by KRLD-TV in Dallas, Texas. After a year, he moved to New York City to find a job in news, but he didn't get one right away.
In 1961, he got a job at WTOP-TV in Washington, D.C. He covered many local and national news stories. These included the 1964 presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater. He also reported on important debates in the Senate. These debates were about civil rights in 1964 and Medicare in 1965.
Donaldson's Time at ABC News
ABC News hired Donaldson in October 1967 as a correspondent in Washington. He covered the big political conventions in 1968. In 1969, he started anchoring ABC's late-night newscasts on Saturdays and Sundays.
In 1971, Donaldson reported on the Vietnam War for ABC News. He was ABC's main reporter for the Watergate scandal in 1973 and 1974. He covered the trials of the people involved in the Watergate break-ins. He also reported on the Senate hearings and the investigation into President Nixon.
Being the Chief White House Correspondent
Donaldson covered Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign in 1976. In January 1977, he became ABC's White House Correspondent. He held this important job until January 1989. He was known for asking tough questions.
One famous question he asked President Reagan was about the economy. He asked if any of the blame belonged to Reagan. President Reagan famously joked, "Yes, because for many years I was a Democrat!" In 1998, Donaldson returned to the White House as chief correspondent. He covered the Lewinsky scandal and the investigation of President Clinton.
Working on This Week
Donaldson was a regular panelist on the Sunday morning show This Week with David Brinkley. He joined the show when it started in 1981. After David Brinkley retired in 1996, Donaldson co-hosted This Week with Cokie Roberts. They hosted the show until 2002. He still sometimes appeared as a panelist on the show.
Primetime Live and 20/20
In 1989, Donaldson became a co-anchor for a new show called Primetime Live with Diane Sawyer. They worked together on Primetime Live until 1998. Then they co-anchored 20/20 Wednesday from 1998 to 2000.
One of his reports was about a former Nazi officer named Erich Priebke. Priebke had escaped to Argentina after World War II. Donaldson's team found Priebke in 1994. Donaldson interviewed him about his role in a terrible event in Italy. When the report aired, Italy asked for Priebke to be sent back. Priebke was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.
Other Important Reporting
Donaldson anchored the ABC Sunday Evening News from 1979 to 1989. In 1990 and 1991, he covered the Gulf War. He co-anchored Primetime Live from Kuwait City after Iraqi troops left.
In 1991, he announced the end of the Soviet Union on ABC News Nightline. He showed a video of the Soviet flag being lowered. He also showed the Russian flag being raised. This included the resignation of Mikhail Gorbachev as President.
In 1992, Donaldson went to Sarajevo for a news assignment. Sadly, his producer, David Kaplan, was shot and killed by a sniper. That night, Donaldson reported on Kaplan's death on Primetime Live.
In 2002, Donaldson anchored the first regular U.S. news broadcast on the internet. In later years, he hosted the "Politics Live" broadcast for ABC News Now.
In 2006, during a White House press conference, Donaldson asked President George W. Bush a question. Bush joked that Donaldson was a "has-been." Donaldson quickly replied, "Better to have been a has-been than a never-was!"
Donaldson covered almost every major political convention from 1964 to 2012. He retired from ABC News in 2009.
Awards and Recognition
Sam Donaldson won many awards for his work.
- In 1985, readers of the Washington Journalism Review voted him Best White House Correspondent.
- He was also voted Best Television Correspondent from 1986 to 1989.
- He won four Emmy Awards and three Peabody Awards.
- He received the Edward R. Murrow award in 1997.
- He also received the Paul White award in 1998.
- In 2002, he and his wife Jan were named "Washingtonians of the Year."
- In 2019, he received an honorary degree from the University of New Mexico.
Career Timeline
- 1961–1967: Reporter and Anchor at WTOP-TV, Washington, D.C.
- 1967–1977: ABC News Capitol Hill Correspondent
- 1977–1989, 1998–1999: ABC News Chief White House Correspondent
- 1979–1989: World News Sunday anchor
- 1981–1996, 2002–2013: This Week panelist
- 1989–1998: Primetime Live co-anchor
- 1996–2002: This Week co-moderator
- 1998–2000: 20/20 anchor
- 1999–2001: Host of Sam Donaldson ABCNews.com
- 2001–2004: Host of The Sam Donaldson Show -- Live in America
- 2004–2009: "Politics Live" anchor, ABC News Now
- 2009: Retired from ABC News
Donaldson's Personal Life
Donaldson has been married to Sandra Martorelli Donaldson since December 2014. They live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has four children from earlier marriages: Samuel III, Jennifer, Thomas, and Robert.
In 1995, Donaldson had a type of skin cancer called melanoma removed. Since then, he has actively supported cancer research.
Donaldson also runs a family cattle ranch in Lincoln County, New Mexico. He is a past member of several important boards. These include the Library of American Broadcasting and the American Academy of Achievement. He also chaired the advisory board of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Currently, he is on the Board of New Mexico First and the Ford Theater Advisory Council.
Images for kids
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Donaldson in 1995
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Donaldson in 2007
