David Gergen was a man who spent his life helping others and making a difference in America. He shared important news with the public and taught young people how to be great leaders. He passed away on July 10, 2025, at the age of 83, but his legacy lives on through his work and the people he inspired.

David Gergen was born in 1942 in Durham, North Carolina. He was the youngest of four brothers. He went to Yale University for college and then to Harvard Law School. After that, he served in the U.S. Navy for three years. His early life showed that he was smart, hard-working, and ready to serve his country.

Gergen’s career in the White House began in 1971 when he worked for President Richard Nixon as a speechwriter. He later worked for three more presidents: Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. This is very rare because he worked with both Republican and Democratic leaders, showing that he cared more about the country than about political parties. One of his most famous moments was during Reagan’s campaign, when he helped write the line, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” It became one of the most powerful questions ever asked in American politics.

After working in the White House, Gergen became a journalist. He shared news and explained politics on TV and in newspapers. He worked with CNN, NPR, and PBS, helping people across the country understand what was happening in the government. People trusted him because he was fair, honest, and respectful.

Later in life, David Gergen became a teacher at Harvard University. He started a center to help young people learn about leadership and public service. His students said he truly cared about helping others and believed that the next generation could make the world better. He also wrote two books about leadership, teaching people how to be strong, kind, and effective leaders.

David Gergen was known for being wise, calm, and thoughtful. Even people who disagreed with him respected him. He believed in working together, even when people had different opinions.

David Gergen passed away in Lexington, Massachusetts, from a disease called Lewy body dementia. He is survived by his wife, Anne, their two children, and five grandchildren. Although he is gone, many people will always remember him as a leader, teacher, and friend.