Jane Pauley

Jane Pauley – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Explore the life and career of Jane Pauley—her rise to prominence in television journalism, her advocacy through personal challenges, and famous quotes that reveal her character and perspective.

Introduction

Margaret Jane Pauley (born October 31, 1950) is an American television journalist, author, and presenter. Over a career spanning more than five decades, she has anchored high-profile news programs, hosted her own talk show, candidly shared her journey with mental health, and reinvented herself on-air multiple times. From her early days on Today to her role today as host of CBS Sunday Morning, Pauley’s story is one of professionalism, resilience, and voice.

Early Life and Background

Jane Pauley was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Richard Grandison Pauley, a traveling salesman, and Mary E. (née Patterson) Pauley, a homemaker.

From a young age, Pauley was shy. In fact, she later shared that during second grade she allowed her teacher to call her “Margaret” all year rather than correct them to use her preferred middle name, Jane.

In high school at Warren Central High School, she competed in speech and debate, winning the Girls’ Extemporaneous Speaking division of the state National Forensic League.

After high school, Pauley enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington, majoring in political science. She graduated in 1972.

During her university years she was involved in campus media and honed communication skills—an early foundation for her broadcasting career.

Career and Achievements

Early TV and Rise to Today

Pauley’s broadcast career began in Indianapolis at WISH-TV.

In 1976, at age 25, she was selected to replace Barbara Walters on Today, making Pauley one of the youngest co-anchors of a national morning show. Today until December 1989, first alongside Tom Brokaw, then Bryant Gumbel.

During her Today years, Pauley also anchored Sunday editions of NBC Nightly News and served as substitute anchor for weekend editions.

Her departure from Today in 1989 was controversial. With the show adding Deborah Norville, rumors swirled that Pauley was being pushed aside. Although Pauley later requested release from her contract to spend more time with her children, NBC initially declined. Today ratings reportedly dropped after she left.

Dateline NBC and Beyond

After several years, Pauley returned to NBC’s news division. In March 1992 she became co-anchor of Dateline NBC, a news magazine program, alongside Stone Phillips (later others). She remained with Dateline until 2003.

Her tenure included high-impact investigative work, interviews, and anchoring of major features.

In 2004, Pauley launched her own daytime talk show, The Jane Pauley Show. Although she brought journalistic credibility and experience, the show lasted just one season, ending in 2005.

Pauley has also hosted Real Life with Jane Pauley (1990–1991), an NBC newsmagazine focusing on mostly positive human interest stories.

In 2009, she returned to Today in a monthly segment (sponsored by AARP) called “Your Life Calling” aimed at rethinking life’s next chapters.

In 2014 she became a contributor on CBS Sunday Morning, and in 2016 she officially succeeded Charles Osgood as its host—returning to the role of anchor for a significant network news program.

As host, Pauley continues to present feature stories, interviews, and commentary within the Sunday Morning format.

Awards & Recognitions

Throughout her career, Pauley has received numerous honors:

• Multiple News & Documentary Emmy Awards

• The Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism (2007)

• Broadcast & Cable Hall of Fame induction (1998)

• Other major journalism awards, lifetime achievement honors, and recognition for her advocacy regarding mental health

Personal Life, Challenges & Advocacy

In 1980, Jane Pauley married Garry Trudeau, the cartoonist behind Doonesbury. They have three children.

A significant and influential part of Pauley’s public journey is her openness about her struggle with bipolar disorder. She was diagnosed around the time she turned 50. Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue, Pauley detailed her experiences with mood fluctuations, treatment, and how she integrated mental health awareness into her public life.

Her advocacy includes destigmatizing mental illness, emphasizing that it is a disease—not a moral failing—and encouraging openness and treatment.

She also has been active in philanthropic and civic efforts, including serving on boards and supporting health initiatives.

Style, Philosophy & Public Persona

Pauley is often described as poised, empathetic, balanced, and grounded. She conveys warmth and integrity, even when discussing difficult topics.

Her public reflections often revolve around authenticity, reinvention, balance, and the human experience. She’s spoken about ambivalence toward fame, the challenges and opportunities of later life, finding one’s purpose at different stages, and bringing dignity to personal disclosures.

She prefers meaningful work over glamour and emphasizes that everyday lives and stories can be as compelling as high-profile ones.

Famous Quotes of Jane Pauley

Here are several quotes that capture Pauley’s voice and values:

“I spent an awful lot of my life underestimating myself and, as a result, not exceeding my own expectations.”

“I’ve always been profoundly ambivalent about fame. I think it just eats the reality out of you and it can be intoxicating because I like some of it.”

“You can’t look at a sleeping cat and be tense.”

“When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder the year I turned 50, it was certainly a shock. … I didn’t suffer the misconception that depression was all in my head or a mark of poor character. I knew it was a disease, and, like all diseases, was treatable.”

“The years after 50 can be a time of great productivity, meaningful work, pleasure, creativity, and innovation. It’s a huge opportunity.”

“I probably am more shy than people realize. But I’m shy when I leave a studio and I am just myself.”

These lines reflect her humility, introspection, advocacy for mental health, and view of aging as a period of opportunity rather than decline.

Lessons from Jane Pauley

From her life and career, several lessons emerge:

1. Reinvention is possible. Pauley’s transitions—from Today to Dateline, to a talk show, to Sunday Morning—show adaptability and courage to try new roles.

2. Vulnerability can be strength. Her openness about mental health has inspired understanding and reduced stigma.

3. Underestimating yourself needn’t define you. Her quote about self-underestimation reminds us that growth often follows humility.

4. Age brings opportunity, not obsolescence. Pauley’s reflections on midlife suggest that later years can be creative and productive.

5. Work that is meaningful matters. She emphasizes telling real stories, connecting with people, and giving voice—not just chasing ratings or fame.

Conclusion

Jane Pauley’s journey is one of trailblazing journalism, honest self-reflection, and reinvention. She broke ground as a young woman on Today, became a trusted voice on Dateline, weathered personal and public challenges, and today leads CBS Sunday Morning, blending news, human stories, and insight. Her quotes reveal a woman thoughtful, grounded, and always evolving.