Download the Real.Fun.DC. Several months later, she had open-heart surgery to fix two heart conditions. She was known for her work as an anchor person for WRC-TV. Her death, not only to her colleagues at NBC4, but also to the entire Washington, D.C. media community, is a sad day for the city. Rieger was a. 1 newscast in Washington at 5 p.m. Rieger joined News4 in 1988 as a general assignment reporter, mostly covering breaking news for News4 at 11 p.m. She began anchoring the weekend evening newscasts in 1996, then News4 at 5 in 2001. Wendys recovery included open-heart surgery as well as cardiac rehabilitation at White Oak Medical Center. Several months later, she had open-heart surgery [] Wendy Rieger, longtime anchor and reporter for NBC 4 Washington, died Saturday morning after a battle with brain cancer, the news station . The work she did will live on in her memory. Before her career in television, which began at CNNs Washington bureau, Rieger worked at WAMU 88.5 as a writer and host. Many people were saddened by Reigers death as he anchored NBC4s 3 p.m. newscast from Washington, D.C. Wendy was simply described as her friend and colleague by many. Her television career began at CNNs Washington Bureau, but before that, she worked at WAMU as a writer and host. I really want to support local artists out here, says the journalist, whose collection includes a sculpture by noted blacksmith Nol Putnam and what she calls an explosive painting of a night garden by Ruthie Windsor Mann. Rieger, 66, retired from her position as a television news anchor in December 2021. In her case, she was born with a congenital heart defect that required her to have this type of surgery. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Rieger, 66, retired from her position as a television news anchor in December 2021. Following news of her retirement, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared Dec. 17, 2021, Wendy Rieger Day in the District. 23. Doreen Gentzler sat down with Wendy. The news was a gut punch to the countless people who have watched her for years on TV and devastating to those who know her personally. She had been battling Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. 268. . What Are Tumor Treating Fields For Cancer Treatment? Its unclear what type of brain cancer Rieger was diagnosed with, but the most common form of the disease is glioblastoma. I have two TVs in this houseand theyre not plugged in, she admits. Wendy Rieger, a longtime anchor and reporter for NBC 4 Washington, died Saturday morning after a battle with Glioblastoma. A wooden desk inset in the center dormer serves as a home office where she writes, a photo of NBC4s late Jim Vance by her side. Former colleague Jim Handly reported Friday, April 15, that she had entered hospice care and was surrounded by her closest loved ones. She has a sense of humor about her experience and will make you think about your own heart health. This treatment was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2015, andis available to adults at the age of 22 or older. Completed last year in time for Thanksgiving, her new home enjoys panoramic views of rolling pastures, shimmering ponds and the Blue Ridge beyond. But most times it was sunlight. She was a pioneer in LGBTQ rights and a feminist who was vocal in her support of womens rights. I wouldnt be in this house if I hadnt worked for Channel 4. Thank you @nbcmatt for this great video. Rieger said her doctor in Pittsburgh was able to remove 99.99999% of the cancer. Except.yea, you'd know exactly what you'd get. Other times it felt like a tornado. It made a difference., Retired NBC4 political reporter Tom Sherwood said: She was always energetic. Her love of journalism started in radio; her voice filled the airwaves of the universitys WAMU 88.5, and later, WTOP-FM, Washingtons radio station. From the heart. Wendy Bell Rieger (April 18, 1956 - April 16, 2022) was an American journalist and actress. Use this bar to access information about the steps in your cancer journey. The news station revealed that she was 65 years old at the time of her death. After talking to a friend, Rieger saw a doctor and discovered her heart was beating two times the normal rate. She has addressed two conditions, ablation procedure and mitral valve. Brain cancer treatment has come a long way over the past few decades, but theres still a lot more work to be done. He listened to it and he said Oh my god, youre in AFib youve got to get on blood thinners right now and youve got to get to a cardiologist. Our heartfelt condolences are with her family, her @nbcwashington colleagues, and all those who loved her. Don't have an account? Please join me and our NBC4 family in sending up prayers for courage and peace for Wendy, her husband, Dan, and her family.. Get TVSpy delivered straight to your inbox. The Real Story of Governor Nyesom Wikes Sons Death, Reality of Iconic Star Irma Serranos Cause of Death at 89, Rumor Follows Taz Stereo Nations Cause of Sudden Death, Animator Burny Mattinsons Death Following a Short Illness, Alec Baldwin Charged With Manslaughter in Rust Shooting, Vhong Navarros Rape Charges Led him Transferred to NBI, Fans Ask about Singer Daniel Levis Cause of Death, Shocking Story of AGT Contestant Nolan Neals Cause of Death, Maddie Ziegler and Eddie Benjamin Call it Quits After 3 Years, Are Eiza Gonzalez and Ben Simmons Dating? Wendy Rieger, longtime anchor and reporter for NBC 4 Washington, died Saturday morning after a battle with brain cancer, the news station reported. She Has A Sense Of Humor About Her Experience And Will Make You Think About Your Own Heart Health . She was always authentically Wendy and Im grateful I knew her as a friend and a colleague for more than 3 decades. the NBC Washington anchor wrote. It was impossible to be around her and not smile. The governor of Maryland even took to Twitter to express his condolences, calling Wendy one-of-a-kind.. She began working for NBC4 in 2007. She said the procedure removed nearly all of her tumor, but she would continue to go through treatment to ensure all signs of brain cancer were gone. Everyone, including her former co-workers at NBC4, remember Wendy fondly. She was also briefly married to CNN producer Sol Levine in the early 1990s. Doreen Gentzler looks back on Wendy's life, career and legacy. Meet Dan Buckley, husband of NBC4 anchor Wendy Rieger who died after a battle with brain cancer. She is a timeless beauty who has short blonde hair, black eyes, and a cute smile. She died on April 2, 2018. Wendy Rieger was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common form of brain cancer, in May 2021. She regularly does exercise and yoga to keep her fit and healthy. After spending the weekend in her newly acquired digs, she decided to take her old boyfriends advice and build her own home. Rieger, 65, was diagnosed with cancer almost a year ago and underwent surgery and treatment. It made sense to tuck the house up against the woods rather than place it in the field below, to give it a sense of protection, Monroe says. Wendy was that cool chick in class you wanted to hang out with, and if you were lucky to hang out with her then you were cool too, friend Steve Redisch said. There is no one by the name of Wendy Rieger who currently lives in the state of Virginia according to public records. Wendy Bell Rieger was born in Norfolk on April 18, 1956. In 2005 she pioneered a Going Green segment that aired around the country and later inspired a series on NBC Nightly News. It is speculated that she may have a vision condition that benefits from the tinted lenses, or that she simply prefers the look of tinted glasses. Please sign in to save videos. Earlier, she went through open-heart surgery to address two heart conditions. Our sincere condolences to his family, friends and loves ones. Wendy was a gifted writer as well as an ace news anchor. I think her message out of what shes experienceddont ignore symptoms like that, Gentzler said. Roxanne Jones love of mountains stems from her father, a pilot for a regional airline, moving to Southern Towers in Northern Virginia. In July 2021, Rieger announced that she underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor, and was getting treatment at Johns Hopkins. Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer. There are many reasons why someone might need to have open heart surgery, and Wendy Rieger is no exception. It is so peaceful and yet so powerful here., For Rieger, the time was ripe not only for a change in locale, but also in architectural style from both her cottagey bay-area bungalow and her ultra-modern apartment in CityCenterDC. She is 64 years old as of 2020, she celebrates her birthday on April 18. Sravasti Dasgupta. These currents disrupt the division of cancer cells, which can delay the disease from progressing and thus extend the survival time for some patients. Often, her pieces found their way to NBC national news. On Friday, WRC-TV (NBC4) anchor Jim Handly announced that his former broadcast partner Wendy Rieger was entering hospice care. Wendy was the sun, her friend Margie Ruttenberg said. Legendary NBC 4 Anchor Wendy Rieger shares her journey on heart health and details of her recent open heart surgery. She only eats the balanced diet and avoids the junk and oily food. She would tell you on a day like today, with beautiful sunshine, Go out, and soak it up. Great Author Bob Proctor Passed Away at 88, Autopsy Result Clarifying Prophet TB Joshuas Cause of Death, The Star Dakota Skyes Cause of Sudden Death is Unknown, Suicide Led to TikToker Leah Cantillons Death at a Young Age, Secret Behind Cesar Millans Juniors Cause of Death is Private, Kings Gate CoFounder Rob Skibas Cause of Death is Unknown Yet, Nebraska State Senator Rich Pahls Passed Away, American ArtistJames Bama Unfortunately Passed Away, Tragedy of Football Player Sione Veikosos Cause of Death, EX Chargers Quarterback John Hadls Cause of Death at 82. Rieger gave an update about her health after going through surgery. Fellow NBC Washington anchor Doreen Gentzler shared a photo from her longtime friend and co-workers home in Rappahanock County, Virginia, taken in Oct. 2020, before she underwent open-heart surgery. Wendy also said her doctor in Pittsburgh, Penn., was able to remove 99.99999% of the cancer. Matthew Delaney | mdelaney@wtop.com Wendy Rieger, a fixture on the local television news scene for decades, died Saturday at a hospice facility in Montgomery County. She is an advocate for especially women to be more aware of their general heart health. From a Washington Post story by media reporter Paul Farhi headlined "What Wendy Rieger learned from Washington": Early in her career as a TV reporter in Washington, Wendy Rieger covered a vigil by the family and friends of two men whose plane had gone missing. Several months later, Rieger had open-heart surgery to fix two heart conditions. The official NBC4 Twitter account took to the social media account to write: "Wendy Rieger, our dear News4 anchor and reporter, has died after a battle with Glioblastoma." She was aged 65 at the time of her death. This color is associated with passion, love, danger, anger, and adventure. She had open heart surgery in 2020 and a year later was. She was also well-known for covering hurricanes Note to self: waterproof mascara, she said during one segment. However, theres one exciting development in the field that could be a game-changer for those battling brain cancer or dealing with tumors. Muse added: The good news is that shes getting wonderful care, shes comfortable and in no pain. WRC-TV journalist Wendy Rieger has been off the air for several weeks as she recovers from open heart surgery. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The house is heavily sealed and the way its oriented on the land, I barely have to run the heat even on the coldest nights., Rieger looks forward to giving back to the community near her new country home and remains awestruck by the beauty surrounding it. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. She was also well known for covering hurricanes, Note to self: waterproof mascara, Riege said during one segment. During the Renaissance period, the use of red was intended to draw attention to the most influential figures. Following a cancer tumorectomy last year, she died of brain cancer caused by glioblastoma. In this issue, there is a Road Trip column that looks at that area. Fellow anchor Doreen Gentzler shares time with friend and coworker. Reiger was diagnosed with a inoperable brain tumor in May 2021 and had surgery to remove it in August 2021. She was 65. #HeartHealthMonth #WomenHeartHealth. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The surgery she had to correct her heart rhythm was followed by regular doctors appointments. The Tommy + Kelly Show is produced in Washington, DC providing news, culture, playful conversation, positive energy, and a dose of morning fun any time. @nbcwendy . After Brain Cancer Left TLC Star Shauna Rae, 23, Trapped In The Body Of An 8 Year Old, Shes Now Having Fun With A New Love Interest. Theres just a lot of things that come into focus very sharply when you are facing a crisis like this that make you, again, at the unluckiest time in my life, I have never felt luckier so and I have to remember that, Wendy told her now-former co-host, Doreen Gentzler, at the time. She later joined the NBC4 Washington team in 1996. The group camped at a municipal airport for several days, and . In a statement from NBC4, Rieger had been battling brain cancer for almost a year. They had only been married a short time. 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