Diane Sawyer was Born …:
… Lila Diana Sawyer on Dec. 22, 1945, in Glasgow, Kentucky, to Erbon Powers “Tom” Sawyer and his wife. Her father was a prominent politician – even has a state park named after him.
Growing up with Diane:
Was probably much like growing up with any politician’s child. She led a normal life through grade school and high school, and was eventually crowned Junior Miss for the State of Kentucky. She attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts, and graduated in 1967.
Diane’s First Job & The Early Years:
Diane moved right from college into broadcast journalism, becoming a local news reporter at WLKY in Louisville. But that would last only a few years – until she was hired by Richard Nixon’s White House and press secretary Ron Ziegler. Diane stuck with the administration through thick and thin. In later years, she would be suspected as the secret informant to journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstien.
Diane returned to broadcast journalism afterward, serving as a co-anchor of the CBS Morning News, and later a corresondent for 60 Minutes.
Becoming a Talk Show Host:
Diane took the seat next to Charlie Gibson in 1999, after several years as co-host of ABC’s Primetime Live. It was originally a temporary roll, but one that has grown, as her popularity and chemistry with new co-host Robin Roberts has grown. (Gibson left GMA for the anchor spot on ABC World News in October 2006.
And Just for Fun:
- One of the 30 most powerful women in America, according to magazine Ladies Home Journal.
- Married to film director Mike Nichols.
- Visited North Korea – with a film crew – in October 2006.
- Has interviewed dozens of famous political leaders, including President George W. Bush, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Saddam Hussein.
