Bill Plante Cause of Death Tragic: Longtime CBS Correspondent Dead at 84

By Ashley Malone

Bill Plante, popularly known for being one of CBS News' longtime correspondents and a veteran journalist who covered several issues throughout his half-century career, has passed away at the age of 84.

According to the Washington Post, his wife Robin Smith confirmed the tragic news, saying he died due to respiratory faliure.

The journalist started out in the industry as a reporter and assignment editor in 1964. Throughout his decades-long career, he covered many significant and historical events, especially what was happening with the President serving during his time as a correspondent.

He witnessed Presidential positions being filled and vacated by Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

Plante also made history by being one of the "longest-tenured White House TV journalists" in history.

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Bill Plante Remembered by Colleagues, Described as a Good Person Throughout His Time in CBS

For viewers who witnessed him on television, the famed correspondent was popularly known for his distinct tone of voice, but for fellow journalists in the field, he was remembered as someone who is a good and intelligent person.

Tom Brokaw, former anchor of "NBC Nightly News" described him as a "friendly rival" as he was always willing to share insights.

He also noted that he was "a smart, serious journalist with a droll, self deprecating style."

Plante was also known for his intelligence as journalist Lesley Stahl said he could "boom out questions" to a President that goes a long way.

Even though many people would see him on shows like "CBS This Morning" and "CBS Eveneing News," he was more popularly known for being a White House correspondent as he covered some of the controversial issues in the past like the Iran-contra scandal during Raegan's time and many more.

One of his most notable moments was when then-President George W. Bush announced that political strategist Karl Rove resigned at the time, Plante immediately yelled out, "If he's so smart, why did you lose Congress?"

Bush was stunned and didn't answer his question, but he continued speaking, saying reporters who attend White House press conferences shouldn't be treated as "guests" because they're there to ask questions.

His real name was William Madden Plante, born on January 14, 1938, in Chicago, Plante attended Jesuit school and later began his broadcasting career at the age of 17 or 18 starting at the musical radio station called "Evaston."