Bobbie Battista death: CNN news anchor dies after four-year cervical cancer battle

Former CNN news anchor Bobbie Battista has died at the age of 67 after battling with cervical cancer for the last four years.

Her death was confirmed on Twitter on Tuesday by CNN executive producer David Gelles, who wrote: “Former CNN anchor Bobbie Battista has passed away at the age of 67, after a four year battle with cervical cancer.”

The journalist was one of the original CNN Headline News anchors when the network first launched in 1981, Mr Gelles added.

During her 20-year career with the cable network, Ms Battista anchored numerous shows including TalkBack Live and CNN WorldDay.

But her career in journalism first started after she graduated from Northwestern University, earning a degree in radio, television, and film production.

Ms Battista started her professional career at a radio station in Raleigh, North Carolina, before moving to be an anchor, reporter, and producer with WRAL-TV, which is also in Raleigh.

Her CNN career started in 1981 with her getting picked to anchor CNN Headline News. Ms Battista then later moved to the main network in 1988 and went on to cover major news events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War, and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

When speaking about her decades-long career with CNN in 2001, the anchor recounted some of the more difficult stories she had to cover for viewers. 

“Whether the Challenger explosion, the assassination attack on Reagan, the Gulf War, certainly this terrorist attack. Those were memorable from the anchor desk,” she said. “As far as TalkBack, we’ve had some serious shows, and some fun shows. If I had to pick, I’d say I liked Free for All Fridays the best.”

Former CNN anchor Bobbie Battista has died after battling her cervical cancer diagnosis for four years (WRAL-TV)

Ms Battista is survived by her husband, John Brimelow, whom she lived with in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Bobbie was the consummate trooper in her struggle with cancer, she was courageous and fearless in her battle and thoughtful for all the others in her life even as she fought through the pain,” Mr Brimelow said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday. “My dear partner of 25 years of marriage has cut her earthly bonds and is now in peace.”