Myra MacPherson, an American journalist, died on February 2, 2026, in Washington, D.C., at age 91.
Born Myra Lea MacPherson in Marquette, Michigan, and raised in Belleville, Michigan, she graduated from Michigan State University in 1956 with a degree in journalism. She was known for writing about politics, the Vietnam War, feminism, and death and dying.
MacPherson had a long affiliation with The Washington Post, where she was hired in 1968 by executive editor Ben Bradlee to write for the Style section and remained until 1991. She continued writing after leaving the newspaper and won a number of awards.
Myra Lea MacPherson (May 31, 1934 – February 2, 2026) was an American author, biographer and journalist known for writing about politics, the Vietnam War, feminism and death and dying. Although her work has appeared in many publications, she had a long affiliation with The Washington Post newspaper. She was hired in 1968 by Post executive editor Ben Bradlee to write for the paper’s Style section, and remained with the Post for over two decades until 1991. She continued writing after leaving the Post, winning a number of awards. She died in 2026.