Blake Hounshell was a respected writer and editor in the United States who worked for The New York Times, Politico, and Foreign Policy. He passed away on January 10, 2023, at the age of 44.
The Associated Press, citing a Times obituary, said that authorities discovered his corpse near the Taft Bridge and are investigating his death as a suicide. According to a family statement, Hounshell died “after a long and courageous battle with depression.”
“A Love Story for the Ages”, Blake Hounshell’s Relationship with Wife Sandy Choi
Blake Hounshell’s personal life was closely intertwined with his career. After graduating from Yale University in 2002, he decided to relocate to Egypt to study and learn Arabic. It was during this time that he met musician and consultant Sandy Choi. The two formed a close relationship and decided to move to Washington D.C. together in the early 2000s.
In Washington D.C., the couple got married and started a family together. They were blessed with two children, a son, and a daughter. Hounshell was known to be a devoted father and often spoke about the importance of balancing work and family.
Who is Sandy Choi?
Sandy was an artist and activist, and the couple often used their platform to advocate for a range of social issues. They were often seen attending events together and were known to be a power couple in the Washington D.C. political and media circles. The couple also had a strong interest in promoting the arts and culture and often hosted events that showcased local talent.
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Hounshell’s relationship with Sandy was one of the most defining aspects of his life. She was his rock and his inspiration, and he often credited her with being his support system and his motivation to strive for success.
The couple’s bond was unbreakable, and they stood by each other through good times and bad.
Tragically, their life together was cut short when Hounshell passed away at the young age of 44. Sandy, their children, and the rest of their family were left to grieve the loss of a husband, father, and son. His passing was a great loss not only to his family but also to the entire journalism and political community.
Remembering Blake Hounshell, Tributes Pour In for the Late Journalist
“after a long and courageous battle with depression.” The unexpected news spread rapidly through Washington and policy circles, as colleagues remembered him as a remarkable editor, generous colleague and critical mentor to younger journalists. Across his stints at Foreign Policy and POLITICO, he edited hundreds of bylines, from senior policymakers to interns, making every story sharper and every headline snappier.
According to a family statement, Blake died:
“He was faster and smarter and more immersed in the news cycle than anyone I’ve known,”. “Although Blake wasn’t born with an iPhone in his hand, he was the first and most digital native person I knew.”
Glasser recalled:
“He had his encyclopedic knowledge of the world that was unparalleled among our staff. At FP, his job was to oversee the whole world, really, and the joke was always that we’d have lunch with, like, a Swedish diplomat, and he’d be like, ‘I was reading this obscure Swedish document and had this very specific question’ — things that no one could fathom how someone who had such a broad remit could know,”.
Kenner recalls:
Early Life: Where was Blake Born? Parents, and Siblings
Blake Hounshell was born on September 4, 1978, in California, to a family of American descent and white ethnicity. As a child, he was a natural leader with a strong sense of purpose and a deep interest in the world around him. His zodiac sign, Virgo, was a reflection of his innate desire for order and perfection, qualities that would go on to shape his career and life.
Hounshell was the eldest of his two brothers and sisters, and he grew up in a close-knit and supportive family. His parents instilled in him a strong sense of family values, and he was raised with an appreciation for hard work and a commitment to making a difference.
Growing up in Delaware and Pittsburgh, Hounshell was exposed to a diverse range of cultures and experiences. These early years shaped his worldview and helped to develop his keen interest in politics, international relations, and the media. He was a gifted student, and his academic achievements earned him a place at Yale University to study political science.
In 2002, Hounshell graduated from Yale with a degree in political science. Instead of pursuing a traditional career path, he decided to relocate to Egypt to study and learn Arabic. This decision was a turning point in his life and set him on a path to becoming a respected journalist, editor, and expert on the Middle East.
Hounshell’s early years were marked by a deep sense of purpose and a drive to succeed. His family’s support and guidance had a profound impact on his life, and he went on to achieve great things in his career.
The Accomplished Career of Blake Hounshell
Hounshell began his career in 2006 at Foreign Policy and then served as the Managing Editor at Politico. He had a key role in the establishment of the national security publication NatSec Daily at Politico. Under his direction, Foreign Policy received the Best of the Web honor from the Media Industry Newsletter in 2008.
Time Magazine named Hounshell’s Twitter account as one of the top 140 accounts of 2011. He was also a nominee for the Livingston Awards for Young Journalists the same year for his coverage of the Arab Spring.
The 2012 book Southern Tiger: Chile’s Fight for a Democratic and Prosperous Future, written by Ricardo Lagos, was co-edited by Hounshell.
Hounshell was employed by the Saad Eddin Ibrahim-founded Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies in Cairo. Hounshell joined The New York Times in October 2021 and later edited the On Politics newsletter.
Blake Hounshell’s Legacy, A Lasting Impact on Journalism and Beyond
Following his death, Hounshell was remembered by his colleagues as a remarkable editor, generous colleague, and critical mentor to younger journalists.
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His colleagues remembered him as a committed journalist who swiftly established himself as a main politics newsletter writer and a brilliant observer of the country’s political scene.
