Lewis Simons (born 1940) is an American journalist, best known for his extensive career as a foreign correspondent and for winning a Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 1986. His career spanned several decades, during which he covered major international events and conflicts, particularly in Asia.
Early Life and Education Simons was born in New York City. He graduated from Harvard University in 1962 with a degree in history.
Career Simons began his journalism career at the Associated Press (AP), where he served as a foreign correspondent covering significant events in Southeast Asia, including the Vietnam War. He later worked for The Washington Post, further establishing his reputation for in-depth international reporting.
His most notable work came during his tenure with Knight Ridder Newspapers (specifically for the San Jose Mercury News). As their Asia bureau chief, Simons, along with colleagues Pete Carey and Katherine Ellison, conducted an investigative series that exposed the hidden wealth of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda Marcos. Their reporting detailed how the Marcos regime allegedly siphoned billions of dollars from the Philippines, contributing to widespread discontent and eventually the People Power Revolution that led to Marcos's overthrow.
Pulitzer Prize In 1986, Lewis Simons, Pete Carey, and Katherine Ellison were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for their series of articles on the Marcos family's illicit wealth. The Pulitzer citation recognized their "masterful reporting on the vast wealth of the Marcos family and its role in the destabilization of the Philippines."
Later Career and Publications After his Pulitzer-winning work, Simons continued his career as a foreign correspondent and reporter. He has contributed to various publications and authored several books, including:
- The Philippines: The Malignant Neglect (1987)
- The Road to Vietnam: America's War That Never Ended (2012), a memoir reflecting on his experiences covering the Vietnam War and its aftermath.
Legacy Lewis Simons is recognized for his courageous and impactful investigative journalism, particularly for his role in exposing corruption at the highest levels of government and for his extensive coverage of critical geopolitical events in Asia. His work exemplifies the vital role of foreign correspondents in informing the public and holding power accountable.