Helen Thomas, reporting 'legend,' leaves White House beat

May 16, 2000
Web posted at: 3:41 p.m. EDT (1941 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Helen Thomas, the woman known as the dean of the White House Press Corps, has resigned after 57 years with United Press International.

Thomas, 79, announced Tuesday she did "not intend to stay" with UPI, which was purchased Monday by News World Communications.

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"United Press International is a great news agency. It has made a remarkable mark in the annals of American journalism and has left a superb legacy for future journalists. I wish the new owners all the best, great stories and happy landings," Thomas said in a statement.

News World Communications publishes The Washington Times newspaper and has some executive connections to the Unification Church led by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

UPI Chief Executive Officer Arnaud de Borchgrave called Thomas "a legend" and "a brilliant reporter" who has "made a unique contribution to the annals of journalism with her White House reportage that spanned four decades."

Thomas joined UPI in 1943 and has covered every administration since President Kennedy's.

Thomas is perhaps best known to Americans as the reporter who frequently asks the first question at presidential news conferences.

Her resignation is effective immediately. Thomas said she will pursue speaking engagements and promotion of her book "Front Row at the White House."

White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said the briefing room "would not be the same without Helen sitting in the UPI chair."

He said he hopes her new ventures will bring her back so she can "cross-question me and bug me like she's done since the day I took this job."