After a long illness, Bill Moyers, a revered journalist, author, and public television host, passed away on June 26, 2025, at the age of 91. Moyers dedicated his life to exploring the intersection of politics, culture, and society and was known for his thought-provoking documentaries and interviews. He gained prominence as a White House press secretary under President Lyndon B. Johnson before transitioning to a celebrated career in journalism. His many Emmy-winning television programs included the landmark series, Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth.
Another of his landmark series was On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying. The program explored with unflinchingly honesty the subject of death and dying in America. This four-part documentary series, first aired in 2000, was a compassionate investigation and meditation on how we confront the end of life. Through interviews, storytelling, and a critical look at the healthcare system, Moyers challenges cultural taboos around death and advocates for a more humane, patient-centered approach to dying.
The series explored different facets of end-of-life care and tells the stories of caregivers and terminal patients — their fears, hopes and the meaning they find in their final days. The series looked at palliative care, which prioritizes comfort over cure, with an emphasis on pain management, emotional support and quality of life. The program also tackled the contentious issue of a patient’s right to die and physician-assisted suicide. The final episode looked at efforts to reform end-of-life care, and how new programs strive to give people the kind of death they say they want—at home, pain-free, surrounded by loved ones—and the reality that most Americans die in hospitals, often in pain and isolation.
Moyers is survived by his wife, Judith, three children and many grandchildren. Judith Moyers, his wife of 70 years, served as producer and collaborator on many of her husband’s projects.
Learn more about the program here: On Our Own Terms.
