Too many people have passed away this year. Now there’s another one.
Uma Pemmaraju was on air for Fox News the day it launched back in 1993. She was among the very first Indian American news anchors to work on a national news network.
Pemmaraju died on August 8, 2022. She was only 64 years old. Her family did not disclose the cause of death, but her daughter, Kirina Alana Devi, posted a touching tribute to her mother on Instagram. Devi started the post by calling her mother her “very best friend.”
Along with several pictures of her mother and a short video of her mother telling her “I love you always and you’re always in my heart,” Devi wrote the caption directed at her mother. She wrote, “Words cannot express how deeply devastated I am to have lost you. Your bravery, kindness, and all of the laughter & light you filled every moment with has inspired me in every sense – You taught me everything I know, and have always been my rock no matter what has come our way.”
Then Devi told her mother “I know you are at peace now with the angels” before telling her mother how much she loves her. She wrote, “I will do everything I can to make you proud. I love you tons and tons big much mommy. I am truly lucky to be your daughter. You are my heart.”
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Fox CEO Susanne Scott also shared touching words about Pemmaraju in a statement. She stated, “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.” She added, “Uma was an incredibly talented journalist as well as a warm and lovely person, best known for her kindness to everyone she worked with.”
Watch the video below to learn more about Pemmaraju’s life and her long career.
Many of Pemmaraju’s former coworkers tweeted touching sentiments after learning about her death. For example, Megyn Kelly wrote, “Uma was a pro and always had a kind word for others – she was taken too soon. Sending love and prayers to her family.”
Laura Ingle tweeted, “Very sad to hear this news .. Uma’s office was just a few doors down from mine when I first started at Fox. She was kind and welcoming and always has a smile for everyone.”
Pemmaraju once told The Boston Globe that she was “a conduit to help other people.” She explained, “I want to use my celebrity to help people, to help bring about something that needs to be done.”
