Longtime CBS News producer Diane Ronau has died after a 15-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
CBS announced the devastating news of Diane’s death on Saturday (July 23) which produced and worked on a series of news programs for the network.
Many of her friends and colleagues paid their respects and shared their cherished memories with the veteran news producer.
Diane Ronau passed away
Diane Ronau sadly passed away after battling cancer for 15 years. She was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
The veteran CBS News producer was diagnosed again in 2006, a disease that has a 10% survival rate.
Diane has worked with the network for over 30 years, having worked on the 48 Hours, CBS Sunday Morning and CBS Morning show.
She has spent the past 20 years at CBS Evening News where she has produced stories on politics, breakthroughs in medical and scientific innovations, and legal stories.
Diane has also co-produced a prime-time special for CBS News about the Derek Chauvin trial.
Diane has opened up about her health
In a 2007 interview with Sandra Hughes on CBS News Eye To Eye, Diane opened up about her condition and said she was determined to fight the disease.
“The truth is that sometimes you do things because you have to do them,” Diane said. I am sick but I also have responsibilities. I have a family, I have a job, and I have to do these things.
“As much as I was deeply concerned about my illness, I also wanted to be involved in the rest of my life that I so deeply attached to.”
She added: “I chose not to disclose cancer. I chose not to learn about cancer.”
I paid a tribute to a CBS producer
Greetings poured out on Diane after the devastating news of her death.
Talk show host Andy Cohen paid a touching tribute on Instagram and wrote, “As befits a CBS News producer, I have literally known everything. I am filled with her wonderful, joyful memories.”
“Even before summoning the courage to fight this disease for two decades, she was the most adventurous and brave person I have met.”
Lee Quan, a national correspondent for CBS News, said, “I’ve never met anyone who has gone through adversity with such humor and grace. It taught us all not just about journalism, but how to live. It’s unique.”
Julie Cohen shared a touching poem by Diane and Wrote In a post on Twitter: “Everything is beautiful and I am so sad. RIP to the luminous Diane Ronnau.”
“Diane was a fighter — a no-nonsense journalist with unparalleled tenacity and intelligence,” said CBS Evening News executive producer Adam Verdugo. I have always been amazed by her indefatigable spirit.”
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