Earleen Fisher died Jan. 29, 2025, at the age of 78.

Fisher's career as a journalist spanned over five decades, including pivotal roles in global journalism, and began when she was a sophomore in high school. She spent over 30 years with The Associated Press, a pursuit that took her from Indiana to New York, Egypt, Israel, India, and more. In 1992, Fisher became chief of the AP's Middle East Services, where she directed news coverage for 16 countries.

Fisher covered major stories in some of the world's most volatile political regions and interviewed subjects such as former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the Dalai Lama. She also covered the rise of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Fisher retired to Indiana in 2007. She is a member of the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame and received a Media School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012.