BREAKING: Original Fox News Anchor Unexpectedly Dies At 64

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When the Fox News Channel launched in 1996, the original anchor was Uma Pemmaraju. She was beloved by viewers as well as her colleagues at the network.

In a sad update, we have learned that Pemmaraju has died at the age of 64. The cause of death has not yet been made public at the time of this report.

Pemmaraju was an award-winning anchor who was born in India and raised in Texas. Pemmaraju first anchored “Fox News Now” and “Fox On Trends.”

Beginning at local stations in Dallas, Baltimore and Boston, Pemmaraju developed her skill set before reaching national prominence in New York.

In 1996 and 1997, Pemmaraju was named “Boston’s Best Anchor” by Boston Magazine. She received several Emmy awards throughout her career for reporting and investigative journalism.

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Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said, “We are deeply saddened by the death of Uma Pemmaraju, who was one of FOX News Channel’s founding anchors and was on the air the day we launched.”

“Uma was an incredibly talented journalist as well as a warm and lovely person, best known for her kindness to everyone she worked with. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her entire family,” Scott added.

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She left the network but rejoined in 2003 as an anchor and substitute host across the network. She also hosted the Sunday edition of “FOX News Live,” anchored “The Fox Report” and interviewed newsmakers, celebrities and political figures from all walks of life, including a memorable sit-down with the Dalai Lama.

Pemmaraju also hosted a variety of specials for Fox News, such as “A Special for Young People,” which features top newsmakers offering advice on life challenges to young adults. In 2012, Pemmaraju was surprised on Mother’s Day when her daughter appeared live on-air during a Fox News segment…

She was named one of Spotlight Magazine’s “20 Intriguing Women of 1998.” Pemmaraju also won the Texas AP award for reporting in 2002, the Woman of Achievement award from the Big Sisters Organization of America and the Matrix Award from Women in Communications.

Aside from her decorated television career, Pemmaraju served as a reporter for the San Antonio Express News and taught journalism at Emerson College and Harvard University.

Pemmaraju received her degree in political science from Trinity University in Texas.