CBS News Mourns ‘The Loss Of One Of Our Own’ To Coronavirus

Maria Mercader, a CBS News journalist who covered breaking news for more than 30 years and had recently worked on strategy for the network’s correspondents and reporters, died of coronavirus in New York, the network announced Sunday.

“Even more than her talents as a journalist, we will miss her indomitable spirit,” said CBS News president Susan Zirinsky in a statement released by the network. “Maria was part of all of our lives. Even when she was hospitalized—and she knew something was going on at CBS—she would call with counsel, encouragement, and would say ‘you can do this.’ I called Maria a ‘warrior,’ and she was. Maria was a gift we cherished.”

“CBS News is mourning the loss of one of our own to the coronavirus,” said CBS This Morning co-host Anthony Mason on the broadcast Monday morning. “No matter what was going on in her life, she always had time to listen. She battled health problems for decades, and used her deep faith and enormous smile to light up and inspire others.”

Mercader had been on medical leave for a separate condition since February. She’d previously fought cancer and other health problems over 20 years, always fighting her way back and returning to work. She was 54, and is survived by her father and brother.

“The Maria we are privileged to call family and friend knew better than most the power of relationships, loyalty, faith, kindness, perseverance and a smile, even when a smile defied the darkness of the moment,” said Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, senior Vice President of strategic professional development at CBS News. “Her notable professional contributions are part of the CBS Archives, but it is her magnificent human spirit that touched so many of us, that will stay with us forever.”