Renee Montagne, NPR Icon, Retires After 40-Year Career

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Renee Montagne, one of NPR‘s most recognizable voices and a veteran journalist with over four decades of experience, is retiring from the network, announced Eric Marrapodi, Vice President for News Programming, in a note to staff on January 21, 2025.

Montagne, who began her NPR career as a freelancer in 1981, became a cornerstone of public radio, hosting flagship programs like All Things Considered in the late 1980s and Morning Edition from 2004 to 2016. Known for her dedication, she often worked grueling hours from NPR West, ensuring West Coast listeners received timely news.

Her career spanned a wide range of stories, from covering the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995 to reporting on Nelson Mandela‘s release in South Africa in 1990. Montagne’s investigative work on maternal mortality in the U.S., titled Lost Mothers, earned her a Peabody Award, a George Polk Award, and recognition as a Pulitzer Prize finalist.

Montagne also made significant contributions to international reporting, particularly in Afghanistan, where she traveled extensively after the Sept. 11 attacks. Her coverage of Afghan women earned her accolades from the Overseas Press Club and the Gracie Awards.

Steve Inskeep, her co-host on Morning Edition for 12 years, praised Montagne’s dedication and skill. “She could bring equal dedication and skill to an interview with Bruce Springsteen,” Inskeep said. “She also had a particular gift, as a journalist and as a colleague, for observing people and understanding what was unique or valuable about them.”

Montagne’s retirement marks the end of an era for NPR, where her voice and storytelling became synonymous with the network’s mission. Colleagues will honor her contributions at an all-staff meeting on January 29, 2025.