Elizabeth Nissen, esteemed ABC News Correspondent, passes away at 71

The journalism world learned shocking news on January 19, 2025. Elizabeth Nissen, a respected ABC News correspondent, died in Ann Arbor on January 7, 2025, just three days after her 71st birthday. ABC News confirmed this heartbreaking loss on Sunday, January 19, 2025. The cause as of now remains unconfirmed. As of now, a memorial service hasn't been planned as per her wishes.

According to the obituary posted, Elizabeth Nissen was an aunt to nine nephews and nieces. Apart from that, she has five siblings. Over her seventy-one years, she covered significant 20th-century news events and rose to prominence as a senior producer and co-founder of NBC Learn.

---

Who was Elizabeth Nissen? The veteran journalist's career explained

According to ABC News, Nissen had a bright and vibrant career in broadcast journalism. Elizabeth Nissen's tenure on ABC's World News Tonight, as well as her coverage of Princess Diana's death in 1997, are regarded as her career highlights. Apart from Nightline and World News Tonight, she also worked for other news outlets like The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Newsweek.

Aside from covering breaking news, science, sports, war, and the local art scene, she expanded into other areas. She was a co-founder and senior producer of NBC Learn, the online education division of NBC News. Her contributions to the world of journalism are unparalleled, and she was an inspiration to the latest crop of journalists.

She will be sorely missed by her loved ones and even fellow journalists across generations. As soon as the news of Elizabeth Nissen's death broke, condolences and tributes came pouring in for her family. It was also revealed through an obituary that later in life Nissen served as a member of a group called “The Adelphies”, a part of Ann Arbor 1st Presbyterian Church.

The obituary read:

"Elizabeth A. Nissen (aka Beth/Nis/Becky) died at home on January 7, 2025, three days after her 71st birthday. She was a veteran news, war, sports science, and arts correspondent who worked in network television with ABC News ("World News Tonight" and "Nightline"), cable news (CNN "NewsNight"), public television (WGBH "Nova Science Now"), online (CNN.com, NBCLearn.com), and in print media (The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek). She was also a co-founder and Senior Producer of NBC Learn, the educational division of NBC News."

It continued,

"She is survived by five of her six siblings: Mary Nissen Whaley and her husband Jay, Anna Nissen Barrett and her husband Tim, James Nissen, Eva Nissen Lewin, and Steve Nissen. While she had no children of her own, she was a beloved aunt to nine nieces and nephews, all of whom admired and cherished her. She is predeceased by her brother Jon (1995); her mother, Patricia A. Bonnet (1997); and her father, Eugene W. Nissen (2021)."

The obituary also stated that Beth was someone who helped others grow.

"A lifelong reader, learner, and teacher, Beth was passionate about communicating information in a relatable way. She prepared her students to be critical thinkers, and helped teachers improve methods and techniques for more effective instruction. She was a caregiver, a true oldest—most responsible—sibling. She was also an active member of her local Rotary Club, and The Adelphies group at 1st Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor at the time of her passing."

It further read,

"She is remembered for her wit, her knowledge, her compassion, and her nurturing of friendships through extensive personal correspondence. She was an avid Wolverine—and Lions—fan. As Beth requested, no memorial service is planned at this time. Beth did ask that, if they desired, her friends or associates gather in the individual groups in which they associated with her to remember her and share their stories of her."

---

Elizabeth Nissen's impact on those around her is evident in the heartfelt words shared by her loved ones. Her legacy will continue to inspire and be remembered for years to come.