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A cousin of Thomas' confirmed her passing to CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer. There are tentative plans for a funeral in her hometown of Detroit. Friends and relatives are also discussing a Washington remembrance at a future date.
During a long career in Washington, Thomas covered every president since Dwight Eisenhower. She worked for 57 years for United Press International, where she eventually became White House bureau manager. Between 2000 and 2010, she was a columnist for Hearst Newspapers.
An indefatigable presence in the White House briefing room, Thomas became a pioneer for female journalists. She was the first female member of the Gridiron Club and the first female president of the White House Correspondents' Association. As news of her death spread on Saturday, several prominent female journalists took to Twitter to hail Thomas as a groundbreaking figure.
Despite her long career, Thomas became embroiled in controversy in 2010 when she was asked about her views on the State of Israel. An Arab American who was raised as a Christian, Thomas suggested Israel was "occupying" Palestine and that Israelis should "get the hell out."
When asked where they should go, she said they should "go home" to Europe or "America and everywhere else."
After her comments ignited a controversy, she was forced to resign from her job at Hearst.
Reader Comments
I truly admire her-one of the few outspoken journalists.
That Israeli moment could have been the catalyst to the next level as an independent, but instead of striking forward, she allowed them to control the message.
Maybe next time?
How would job longevity go if she spoke her mind 50 odd years ago.Even if she wanted to would her work have been published.We both know the answer to that.
No,rest in peace Helen Thomas,better late than never.
Also they tried to control the message but I felt it backfired on them,the truth has that effect eh.
Her message was clear,most of Israel can't even claim to be blood Semites.