Jane Pauley, a prominent figure in American television journalism, has not only graced our screens for decades but has also become an inspiring voice in the realm of mental health advocacy. Her career, marked by significant achievements and personal challenges, provides a compelling narrative of resilience and openness.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on October 31, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Margaret Jane Pauley's journey into the world of news reporting began in 1972. A fifth-generation Hoosier, she described herself as a shy child who allowed her second-grade teacher to call her Margaret rather than correct her on her preferred middle name, Jane. Pauley excelled in speech and debate at Warren Central High School, even placing first in the Girls' Extemporaneous Speaking division of the National Forensic League in Indiana. She pursued political science at Indiana University Bloomington, where she also participated in Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Pauley's career with NBC started after three years at WISH-TV. In 1975, she joined veteran anchor Floyd Kalber at NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV, becoming Chicago's first woman co-anchor on a major evening newscast.
Rise to National Prominence on the Today Show
At the young age of 25, Jane Pauley stepped into the national spotlight as Barbara Walters's successor on NBC's Today show in 1976. She co-anchored the show, first with Tom Brokaw from 1976 to 1981, and then with Bryant Gumbel from 1982 to 1989. Following in the footsteps of Barbara Walters, she became a symbol for professional women, and more specifically, female journalists. In 1983, after giving birth to twins following a very public pregnancy, Pauley became a role model to working mothers.
However, the late 1980s brought changes to Today when Deborah Norville was given a larger role, leading to media speculation that NBC executives were easing Pauley out. Despite this, Pauley, who had been contemplating a change to spend more time with her three children, asked to settle her contract, but NBC declined. After prolonged negotiations, Pauley announced her departure from the Today show in October 1989, after 13 years, with plans to work on other projects at NBC.
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The public reaction to the perception that Pauley was being replaced by a younger woman was significant. The Today show experienced a drop in viewership, and Pauley received an outpouring of support, including a letter from Michael Kinsley of The New Republic, who hailed her as a "heroine of my generation."
Transition to Dateline and Beyond
Pauley returned to television in a March 13, 1990, NBC primetime special titled Changes: Conversations with Jane Pauley. This special led to five one-hour specials in the summer of 1990 called Real Life with Jane Pauley, which were also ratings successes. In January 1991, NBC launched the half-hour series Real Life with Jane Pauley on Sunday nights.
In 1992, Pauley co-anchored Dateline with Stone Phillips, a role she held until 2003. Her departure from Dateline came as a surprise to NBC, as she declined to renegotiate her expiring contract.
Daytime Talk Show and Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
In 2004, Pauley returned to television as host of The Jane Pauley Show, a syndicated daytime talk show distributed by NBC Universal. While the show was canceled after one season, Pauley considered it the hardest and proudest year of her professional life.
That same year, Pauley published her bestselling memoir, Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue, in which she publicly revealed her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. She described this decision as "the easiest decision I ever made." Pauley began experiencing episodes of depression and mania around age 50, which she believes were triggered by steroids used to treat hives.
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Advocacy and Continued Career
Since disclosing her diagnosis, Pauley has become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. In the January 20, 2014, edition of Time magazine, she stated, "Part of my advocacy is not talking about the stigma. It's real, but it doesn't help move us forward. My other message is, I take my meds every day. No holidays."
Pauley returned to the Today show in March 2009 as a contributor, hosting a weekly segment called "Your Life Calling," sponsored by AARP. In April 2014, she began contributing to CBS Sunday Morning as a correspondent and occasional substitute host. In September 2016, she took over as host of CBS Sunday Morning following the retirement of Charles Osgood.
Personal Life
Jane Pauley married Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau in June 1980. They have three children: twins Ross and Rachel, and Thomas.
Legacy
Jane Pauley's career is a testament to her talent, resilience, and dedication to journalism. Her willingness to share her personal struggles with bipolar disorder has made her an important voice in the mental health community, inspiring others to seek help and fight against stigma.
Her words of wisdom, "Change is not always an option. Change is not always the right choice," reflect her approach to life and career. She has learned to reify abstract ideas into concrete actions, taking charge of her life and decisions, and making a difference in the lives of others.
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Pauley's impact extends beyond television, as evidenced by the Jane Pauley Community Health Center in Indianapolis, which provides medical, dental, and behavioral health services to local communities.
Jane Pauley's journey is one of professional success, personal growth, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
Other Celebrities Who Have Opened Up About Bipolar Disorder
Jane Pauley is not alone in her experience with bipolar disorder. Several other public figures have spoken out about their own struggles with the condition, helping to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
Selena Gomez
Former Disney star Selena Gomez revealed in April 2020 that she has bipolar disorder. She shared that after years of going through different things, she realized she was bipolar after visiting McLean Hospital, one of the best mental health hospitals in America. Gomez has been open about her struggles with anxiety and depression, and now aims to normalize conversations about mental health through her platform, WonderMind, which she cofounded in 2021 with her mother, Mandy Teefy, and CEO of The Newsette, Danielle Pierson.
Ye (Kanye West)
Ye, known as Kanye West before legally changing his name, is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. In a 2019 interview with David Letterman, the Grammy-winning rapper spoke frankly about living with bipolar disorder. He described his experience as “having a sprained brain” similar to having a sprained ankle.
Mariah Carey
Pop star Mariah Carey revealed in a 2018 interview with People that she'd been living with bipolar 2 disorder for nearly two decades. First diagnosed in 2001 after being hospitalized for a mental and physical breakdown, the platinum-selling singer told People that she "didn't want to believe" the diagnosis. She's now in therapy and taking medication for bipolar 2 disorder, which involves mood swings between depression and hypomania, but isn't as severe as bipolar 1 disorder.
Pete Wentz
Pete Wentz, bassist for Fall Out Boy, revealed in a 2015 interview with Howard Stern that he’d been self-medicating while on tour with Fall Out Boy to cope with what he later learned were bipolar symptoms. He also leans on his family for support. “Living with purpose and having a schedule with my family has brought me balance,” he told People in 2018.
Carrie Fisher
The late Carrie Fisher, known for her portrayal of Princess Leia in Star Wars, found out she had bipolar disorder when she was 24. She rejected the diagnosis until she was 28 when she had a drug overdose and decided to get sober. Over time, she came to terms with her condition and became a bestselling author.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
The Belgian kickboxer Jean-Claude Van Damme was eventually diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, a form of the condition that involves at least four mood episodes in one year. Before being diagnosed, Van Damme said, he relied on training to cope with his symptoms.
Linda Hamilton
Linda Hamilton, best known for her role as Sarah Connor in Terminator, struggled with symptoms of bipolar disorder for 20 years before being diagnosed, a time she calls her "lost years.” Though she initially worried that treatment would diminish her talents, she is now on medication and speaks openly about having the disorder.
Sinéad O'Connor
The Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003. She talked openly about living with this condition on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2007. O’Connor, who also has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder, announced in 2020 that she was entering a year-long treatment program for trauma and addiction.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
The Academy Award-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones revealed in April 2011 that she had sought treatment for bipolar 2 disorder, which is characterized by episodes of hypomania alternating with depression.
Scott Stapp
In 2017, rocker Scott Stapp was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while in an intensive program in a dual diagnostic facility. Now in intensive therapy, Stapp takes medication for his disorder and is also involved in a 12-step program.
Virginia Woolf
The 20th-century English novelist and essayist Virginia Woolf experienced mood swings and breakdowns throughout her life. An article in the American Journal of Psychiatry explains her behavior: "From the age of 13, Woolf had symptoms that today would be diagnosed as bipolar disorder; she experienced mood swings from severe depression to manic excitement and episodes of psychosis."