Rod Nordland: Influential War Correspondent and Memoirist Dies at 75

Renowned journalist Rod Nordland passed away at the age of 75, remembered for his impactful reporting on wars and his poignant reflections on his own health struggles.

Rod Nordland, a distinguished war correspondent whose career spanned four decades, has died at the age of 75 in his Manhattan home. His wife, Leila Segal, revealed that the cause was glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer. Nordland's journalistic journey saw him cover some of the most significant conflicts around the globe for The New York Times and various other outlets.

In 2019, the reporter, who joined The New York Times in 2009, penned an introspective article discussing the ramifications of his terminal diagnosis. This led to the expansion of his reflections into a memoir titled “Waiting for the Monsoon,” which was released last year.

Thanks to a resilient spirit molded by a tumultuous upbringing, Nordland wrote about the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in war-torn regions and ultimately expanded his narrative to include his personal health crisis. He noted in his memoir how journalism had transformed from a gritty vocation into a domain dominated by Ivy League graduates.

Starting his career in the early 1970s, Nordland first made his mark at urban daily newspapers like The Philadelphia Inquirer, which positioned him overseas in Southeast Asia in 1979. Remarkably, he remained stationed abroad for 40 years, only returning to the United States when compelled by his health concerns. Nordland's legacy endures as an important voice that documented the struggles of those affected by war while also navigating his own profound life challenges.