Former ABC News correspondent Jim Avila died at 69 after a long illness.
Avila, a veteran broadcaster known for his sharp reporting and authoritative on-air presence, spent decades covering major national stories for ABC and NBC. He served as a White House correspondent, national affairs reporter and weekend anchor, earning a reputation for steady professionalism and a deep command of political and social issues. (RELATED: Famous Chef Michael Duarte Reportedly Killed In Police-Involved Shooting)
ABC News confirmed his death in a Thursday statement on X.
Jim Avila, former ABC News senior correspondent and “20/20” correspondent, has passed away after a long illness. He was 69 years old. pic.twitter.com/OMD1wbKMCn
— ABC News (@ABC) November 13, 2025
“Former ABC News senior national correspondent Jim Avila has passed away after a long illness,” ABC anchor Diane Macedo said. “Jim was an L.A.-based correspondent specializing in politics, justice, law and consumer investigations for nearly two decades. He also worked in the White House and broke the news that the U.S. and Cuba had reopened diplomatic relations. That story earned him the prestigious Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents Association.”
ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic also offered Avila’s family condolences, according to People.
Macedo added that Avila faced his health challenges “with courage” and had received “a kidney transplant donated by his brother.”
News of his death led viewers to share condolences across social media as they mourned the longtime correspondent’s passing.