NPR Editor Rose Friedman Dead at 38 After Cancer Battle

Rose Friedman died at home in New York City on Wednesday September 17 of cancer. She was 38. NPR announced her death Thursday.

She had worked at the network for 15 years, arriving as an editorial assistant in her early 20s and rising to become one of the most respected editors in NPR's arts and cultural coverage.

She was a co-creator of Books We Love, the annual reading guide originally called the Book Concierge, which became one of NPR's most popular recurring features. She most recently helped lead NPR's America 250 series covering the country's 250th anniversary.

In 2020 she was NPR's lead reporter on the Harvey Weinstein trial and went on to edit numerous MeToo stories. She shared a National Headliner Award in 2018.

She was also a union organizer. As shop steward for SAG-AFTRA, which represents NPR editorial workers, she fought to increase the network's paid parental leave, and won.

She was so proud of it that she asked for it to appear near the top of her own obituary. NPR honored the request.

"What a gifted, delightful, brilliant, deeply kind person," novelist Meg Wolitzer said. "And I would say a true enthusiast."

She is survived by her partner, two children, her parents Carolyn and Jerry Friedman and her sisters Sophie and Nina.