Inside Walter Cronkite’s AKA ‘Most Trusted Man in USA’ Home Where He Raised 3 Kids with Wife of 64 Years

During his lifetime, TV legend Walter Cronkite lived his life as a reputable celebrity in America and a family man who lived all his life catering to his family.  

Walter Cronkite will always go down as one of the most pivotal figures as far as America’s TV presenting history is concerned. Walter was especially a CBS legend, and he accurately wielded the title of a family man.

The star was married to Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Cronkite, and they had a mutual understanding of being in the same field of work. When Walter met Betsy in the 1930s, it couldn’t have been considered love at first sight, but there was a spark there somewhere. 

According to Gadsden Times, Walters met his wife in 1936, and when he first set eyes on her, he was “intrigued.” The TV pioneer told the publication he met his wife when she appeared at his workplace searching for a job. 

After gaining employment with the establishment, Betsy was often required to team up with Walter from time to time. He would report the news while she wrote the copy. 

Soon enough, he asked Betsy out on a lunch date, and after their second lunch date, they began dating. During their courtship, what posed a challenge was the nature of Walter’s job description.

His job required him to travel a lot, but the distance became an advantage in the long run. The absence made the couple’s hearts grow fonder. The lovers would pen letters, and they did not travel to see each other because they tried to avoid scandal. 

This went on for a while until Betsy and Walter walked down the aisle in 1940. Being joined together as man and wife did not ease the situation of being apart, but according to the late broadcaster, it helped them avoid the marital scuffles of the first year. 

INSIDE WALTER’S MARRIAGE 

In the early years of their marriage, Betsy worked as a columnist in Kansas City while her husband traveled around working as a correspondent. After the second world war, she moved through Brussels and Moscow with Walter.

They ultimately settled in New York City in 1950, and in 1962, Walter started employment at CBS as the “CBS Evening News” presenter. He maintained the job until 1981. 

For his work ethic throughout his career, Walter was known as “the most trusted man in America.’ However, the title only came to him after he and Betsy moved to New York. 

His work prowess spoke for him among millions, and his ethics as a family man were also exceptional. Walter and Betsy were married for over six decades, within which they learned each day to be together forever.

The star dad also made sure he created ample family time, within which he and Betsy would take trips with the kids. Once speaking about their enduring marriage, Betsy mentioned their sense of humor as a vital factor.

Walter also relied on his coined philosophy of put-upmanship. Once explaining what it meant to the children, the TV star simply mentioned that it meant being able to put up with each other. 

WALTER’S LONGTIME HOME IN NEW YORK

When Walter and his wife moved to New York, they settled in a home situated between York and East End Avenues.

This came to be where they stayed for so long, and even after he left, Walter’s fans’ mail was still delivered there. 

The TV anchor was said to have purchased the home for $40,000. Joseph Faccibene, who put the house on sale in 2021 for $7.7 million, revealed that the home held many memories for Walter’s family.

He shared that the couple raised their kids there and entertained famous people like Frank Sinatra.

The 19th-century style home boasts four bedrooms, hardwood floors, an eat-in area in the Chef’s kitchen, and french doors.

The home’s interior includes custom millwork and a full-floor living area with gas-burning fireplaces.

Also present is a formal living room, family room with Juliet balconies, and spa-like bathroom in the main bedroom. 

The other bedrooms also have Juliet balconies and dressing areas. The French doors open to reveal a landscape garden equipped with a gas-line grill and bluestone pavers.

Betsy was the cook in the Cronkite family, often delighting in her great collection of cookbooks. On the other hand, Walter enjoyed partying in his abode and dancing. He also loved “the conviviality of a good brawl.”

Following his passing, Walter’s friends reminisced about his love for dancing, including drum-playing. He was said to have been entertained by Jeremy Buffet, who played the ukulele. 

His daughter Kathy Cronkite also opened up about her parents’ life in 2009, noting to CBS that they were fun. She relayed that Walter and Betsy loved adventures and often danced and laughed. 

THE COUPLE SPENT THE REST OF THEIR LIVES IN NEW YORK

Betsy and Walter enjoyed a marital life in their New York mansion that spanned over sixty years. Theirs was a love that endured until death. Betsy passed on in 2005 at 89.

She had been diagnosed with spinal cancer the previous week. She took her last breath with her family by her side at their New York apartment. Walter’s death was announced four years later. 

The great newsman was 92 at the time of death. Walter suffered an illness that the family later revealed as a cerebrovascular disease like his wife. His remains were cremated next to his wife’s. 

Their remains were laid to rest at the family’s plot in a cemetery in Kansas. This was in memory of where the couple first met. Walter is fondly and historically remembered for his works during the Vietnam war.

He was also actively involved in covering the second world war. In addition, he expertly handled the delivery of historical news, including John F Kennedy’s assassination and the Apollo moon landing.

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