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Bill Moyers cause of death: How former Johnson press secretary died. Family reveals details

Bill Moyers, former press secretary to President Lyndon B Johnson and veteran journalist, has died

Updated on: Jun 27, 2025, 02:26:32 IST
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Bill Moyers, former press secretary to President Lyndon B Johnson and veteran journalist, has died, his family confirmed to CNN on Thursday. He was 91 years old. According to his family, Johnson's wife of over 70 years, Judith Davidson Moyers, was by his side. His son William Cope Moyers confirmed the death at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Bill Moyers, former press secretary, has died at 91 (AP)
Bill Moyers, former press secretary, has died at 91 (AP)

Paying tribute on social media, one person wrote: “Bill Moyers gave us so much, from his work on the Great Society, numerous books & interviews (including his series w/ Joseph Campbell). One of his last major projects was a documentary on Rikers that solely used the voices of people who'd been locked up there. What a life. RIP.”

“A man loyal to his Country, so much so that he stood up to the President for whom he served and said he was wrong in Vietnam,” another one added on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

What is Bill Moyers' cause of death?

While no specific condition has been revealed, Moyers' family said he died of complications from a long illness. The cause was complications from prostate cancer, his son told The Washington Post. Moyers died at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan.

Born Billy Don Moyers on June 5, 1934, in Hugo, Oklahoma, Moyers rose from a small-town journalist to a pivotal figure in American media. His career spanned roles as a Baptist minister, deputy director of the Peace Corps (1962–63), and Johnson’s press secretary (1965–67), before he became a broadcast legend. The 91-year-old produced over 70 PBS documentaries and series, including Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth (1988) and Healing and the Mind (1993), earning over 30 Emmys, 11 Peabodys, and a 1995 Television Hall of Fame induction.

"He used the tools of the documentarian to wield a velvet sledgehammer, bludgeoning corporate polluters and government ne'er-do-wells with precision and grace," New York Times media columnist David Carr wrote in 2004.

Moyers and his wife had three children, William Cope, Alice Suzanne, and John Davidson.

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    Yash Nitish Bajaj

    Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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