Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow Dies At 53 From Cancer

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Robert Anthony Snow was born June 1, 1955, in Berea, Ky., the son of a teacher and nurse. He graduated from Davidson College in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy, and he taught briefly in Kenya before embarking on his journalism career.

Because of his love for writing, Snow took a job as an editorial writer for the Greensboro Record in North Carolina and went on to run the editorial pages at the Newport News (Virginia) Daily Press, Detroit News and Washington Times. He became a nationally syndicated columnist, and in 1991 he became director of speechwriting for President George H.W. Bush.

Tony Snow had been a longtime Fox News television host and radio personality, starting in 1996 as the original anchor for Fox News Sunday and hosting Weekend Live as well as having The Tony Snow Show before leaving the job in 2006 to become the White House Press Secretary.

17 months into his job, Snow received the bad news that his cancer had returned, despite having his colon removed in 2005 and going through six months of chemotherapy. In 2007, he was informed the cancer had spread to his liver and he had a cancerous growth removed from his stomach area.

In September 2007, Snow resigned from his job of Press Secretary, citing financial reasons, although many speculated that it was for health reasons, and he handed the reigns of his job over to Dana Perino.

Earlier this year, after recuperating from having the growth removed, he joined CNN as a political commentator .

President Bush issued a statement regarding Snow's passing which said, "Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend Tony Snow. The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character."