Veteran journalist Christine Thomson, widely recognized for her high-profile interviews with politicians and celebrities, died Sunday morning surrounded by her family after a long battle with cancer, according to CTV News. She was 61.

Thomson began her tenure at CTV News Toronto as a reporter and later became an anchor on the national news channel. She was also a familiar face on the network’s morning program, Canada AM, before taking on other prominent on-air roles. Earlier in her career, she served as a news anchor for Global News from 1997 to 2003.

In October, Thomson received a lifetime achievement award from the Radio Television Digital News Association of Canada. Presenting the honor, then-president Lis Travers described her as “one of Canada’s most respected news personalities.”

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Thomson covered major global events, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election. She conducted notable interviews with figures such as Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Donald Trump, and Chris Hadfield.

In a statement, Richard Gray, vice-president of news at Bell Media, called her a “trusted voice and a valued teammate” at CTV News, reflecting the deep respect she earned throughout the industry.