Rod Nordland (July 17, 1949 – June 18, 2025) was a distinguished American war correspondent and journalist, renowned for his extensive reporting from over 150 countries. His career spanned several decades, during which he contributed to major publications such as Newsweek, The New York Times, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Nordland’s reporting covered significant global conflicts, including those in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans. He was part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Three Mile Island nuclear crisis in 1979.
In 2019, while covering climate topics in India, Nordland collapsed during a morning jog and was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. This diagnosis led to a profound personal transformation, which he chronicled in his memoir, Waiting for the Monsoon. The book, published in March 2024, reflects on his journey from a tumultuous childhood to a celebrated career, and ultimately, his confrontation with mortality. It delves into themes of redemption, reconciliation, and the rediscovery of life’s meaning in the face of terminal illness.
Nordland passed away at his home in Manhattan on June 18, 2025, at the age of 75. His legacy endures through his impactful journalism and the candid insights shared in his final work.
Early Life and Education
Birth and Family Background
Rodney L. Nordland was born on July 17, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the eldest of six children in a family that faced significant challenges. His father, a convicted pedophile, was incarcerated, and his mother’s struggles with his father’s abusive behavior left a lasting impact on Nordland. Despite these hardships, Nordland found solace and purpose in writing, which became a means of processing his experiences.
Academic Pursuits
Nordland’s passion for journalism led him to Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 1972. His time at Penn State was formative, providing him with the skills and perspectives that would shape his future career.
Professional Career
Early Career and The Philadelphia Inquirer
Nordland began his journalistic journey at The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he worked as a reporter covering various beats. His early assignments took him to Southeast Asia and Central America, regions that would become central to his later reporting. His work during this period earned him recognition, including a share of the Pulitzer Prize for the newspaper’s coverage of the Three Mile Island nuclear crisis in 1979.
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Newsweek and Foreign Correspondence
In 1984, Nordland joined Newsweek as the Middle East bureau chief, based in Beirut. His tenure at Newsweek was marked by significant assignments, including reporting from conflict zones in the Middle East, the Balkans, and Africa. He received two George Polk Awards and several Overseas Press Club awards for his international reporting.
The New York Times
In 2009, Nordland transitioned to The New York Times as an international correspondent at large. He served as the Kabul bureau chief and reported extensively from regions such as Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria. His reporting was instrumental in shaping the newspaper’s coverage of global conflicts.
Personal Life
Family and Relationships
Nordland’s personal life was marked by both challenges and reconnections. He was married to Leila Segal, with whom he had children. In his memoir, Waiting for the Monsoon, Nordland reflects on his relationships, including the complexities of his marriage and the estrangement from his children. His battle with glioblastoma led to renewed connections with his family, highlighting themes of reconciliation and healing.
Health Struggles and Glioblastoma
In 2019, while covering climate topics in India, Nordland collapsed during a morning jog and was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Given only 14 months to live, he underwent experimental treatments led by Dr. Eric T. Wong at the Lifespan Cancer Institute. Remarkably, he survived for six years, during which he documented his journey in his memoir, Waiting for the Monsoon.
Literary Contributions
Waiting for the Monsoon
Published in March 2024, Waiting for the Monsoon is Nordland’s second book. The memoir chronicles his life, career, and battle with glioblastoma. It offers an introspective look at his experiences as a war correspondent and the personal transformations he underwent following his diagnosis.
The Lovers: Afghanistan’s Romeo & Juliet
In 2016, Nordland authored The Lovers: Afghanistan’s Romeo & Juliet, which tells the true story of a young couple in Afghanistan who defied their families to pursue love, risking honor killings in the process. The book received international acclaim for its poignant narrative and was published in over a dozen countries.
Awards and Recognition
- Pulitzer Prize: Shared for coverage of the Three Mile Island nuclear crisis.
- George Polk Awards: Two awards for international reporting.
- Overseas Press Club Awards: Multiple awards for foreign correspondence.
- Amnesty International Press Award: For reporting on ethnic cleansing in Bosnia.
- National Press Club’s Edwin Hood Award: For diplomatic correspondence.
- Signet Society Medal: Awarded by Harvard University for distinguished contributions to the arts.
Final Years and Passing
Rod Nordland passed away on June 18, 2025, at the age of 75, at his home in Manhattan. His death was attributed to complications from glioblastoma. He is survived by his wife, Leila Segal, and their children. Nordland’s legacy endures through his extensive body of work and the impact he had on journalism and his readers.
FAQs
What is Rod Nordland known for?
Rod Nordland was renowned for his work as a war correspondent, reporting from over 150 countries and covering major global conflicts.
Which publications did Nordland write for?
He contributed to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Newsweek, and The New York Times, among other publications.
What awards did he receive?
Nordland received several prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, two George Polk Awards, and multiple Overseas Press Club Awards.
What is his memoir about?
His memoir, Waiting for the Monsoon, details his experiences as a war correspondent and his personal battle with glioblastoma.
How did he pass away?
Nordland died from complications related to glioblastoma on June 18, 2025.
Was he married?
Yes, he was married to Leila Segal.
Did he have children?
Yes, he had children, with whom he reconnected during his illness.
What was his educational background?
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Pennsylvania State University in 1972.
Where did he live?
He resided in Manhattan, New York City.
