Dan Rather’s Wife, Artist Jean Rather, Dies at 89: A ‘Rock of True Texas Grit’

Jean Rather, artist and wife of former television host Dan Rather, has died. She was 89 years old.

Rather’s death was announced by Dan’s friends on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, November 26. The cause of death was cancer.

“Today is the saddest day for Dan and the extended Rather family,” they wrote, adding that Rather died that morning at their home in Austin, Texas.

Jean Goebel and Dan Rather in April 2017.

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“She has been in hospice care for some time, but the news is still a shock to those of us who knew and loved her,” the post continued, asking everyone to keep the Rather family in their thoughts.

Jean “lived a full life as an amazing wife, mother, friend and artist — and a true Texan,” the statement read.

Celebrity couples together for more than 50 years

Rather was surrounded by her family, as well as her artwork, according to the statement.

After graduating from Smithville Public Schools, Rather began her career and met Dan while working at a radio station in Houston. During their nearly 67-year marriage, the couple lived in various parts of the world, including Dallas, Washington, DC, London and New York City.

Jean Rather and Dan Rather in December 1982.

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The Rathers returned to Texas in 2021.

“Jean was a steadfast advisor and a true Texas rock through every storm. She was also the kind of wife who could meet presidents, kings and queens, draft dodgers, criminals and corporate suits every day with equal ease and a dazzling smile,” the statement continued.

Dan made Rather feel like she was living her dreams as a real Cinderella, the statement said.

“Jean was an excellent mother and grandmother, playing in every game, cheering for every win, putting band-aids on every skinned knee and serving as a confidant and friend to all members of her family,” the tribute continued.

Although Rather presented herself in a “modest” way, she was still a “very successful artist” with paintings exhibited across the US in colleges and galleries, the tribute said.

Jean Rather and Dan Rather in June 2023.

Cindy Ord/Getty

Rather is survived by his husband Dan, son Danjack and daughter Robin, along with their partners and children and extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin.

While I was talking to PEOPLE about the documentary last June IndeedDan, 93, said his wife “was absolutely devoted” to him during his decades-long journalistic career that took him around the world.

“The first year I worked for CBS News, I was home 41 days a year. Forty-one days a year. It was very difficult to keep a marriage and a family together then,” he recalled.

Dan said Rather’s “fighting heart” was the glue in their relationship.

“Whatever it takes, we’ll make it work.” And maybe salvation was… [that] when i was home i tried to hit the off switch. I tried to make every hour count with my children, Robin, my oldest, and Dan, my youngest. They grew up with it. And again, kudos to Jean, with whom I have been married for 66 years.”

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