For a significant period, The Washington Post was owned by the Graham family. Their stewardship spanned several decades, establishing the newspaper as a prominent and influential voice in American journalism.
The Graham Family's Enduring Legacy
The Graham family's involvement with The Washington Post began in 1933 when Eugene Meyer, Katharine Graham's father, purchased the newspaper. His daughter, Katharine Graham, later took over as publisher in 1963, leading the paper through some of its most pivotal moments, including its coverage of the Watergate scandal and the Pentagon Papers. Under her leadership, and later her son Donald E. Graham's, The Post became a Pulitzer Prize-winning powerhouse known for its investigative journalism.
The Graham family's ownership era concluded in October 2013 when they sold the newspaper to Nash Holdings, a company owned by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. The sale was made for $250 million. This marked a significant transition from a long-standing family-owned media institution to a tech billionaire's private ownership.
Key Ownership Transitions
To illustrate the recent major ownership periods, consider the following:
| Owner | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Graham Family | 1933 – October 2013 | Led by Eugene Meyer, Katharine Graham, and Donald E. Graham. |
| Nash Holdings (Jeff Bezos) | October 2013 – Present | Acquired for $250 million, signifying a new era of ownership. |
Enduring Journalistic Excellence
Throughout its history, under both the Graham family and its current ownership, The Washington Post has maintained a strong commitment to journalistic excellence. As of 2024, the newspaper has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize 76 times for its work, a testament to its consistent impact and high standards in reporting, making it the second-most awarded publication after The New York Times.
