Monroe, 90, was the NBC show's fourth moderator, from 1975 to 1984, and interviewed prominent political figures ranging from President Jimmy Carter to U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Tim Russert, the best known host of "Meet the Press," assumed the host's chair in 1991 after a series of short stints by others following Monroe's departure.
Monroe's daughter, Lee Monroe, said her father had taken a fall in December that put him in a nursing home and he had not been well since.
Bill Monroe was born in New Orleans on July 17, 1920. He graduated from Tulane University, served in World War II and later began his career in television journalism at the New Orleans NBC affiliate, WDSU.
In 1961 he moved to Washington, where he became NBC's bureau chief. He worked on the "Today Show," winning the Peabody Award in 1972, and succeeded Lawrence Spivak as host of "Meet the Press" in 1975.
Former Meet the Press Host Bill Monroe Dies
Comments