What Happened to Phil Bronstein?
Phil Bronstein is an acclaimed American journalist and editor, known for his investigative reporting and foreign correspondence, including being a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his coverage of the Philippine People Power Revolution. After a distinguished career leading major newspapers like the San Francisco Examiner and San Francisco Chronicle, he transitioned to the non-profit sector, where he currently serves as the Executive Chair of the board for the Center for Investigative Reporting (Reveal) as of 2026.
Quick Answer
Phil Bronstein is currently the Executive Chair of the board for the Center for Investigative Reporting (Reveal), a position he has held since 2012 after leaving a 31-year career with Hearst Newspapers. He is recognized for his extensive background as a war correspondent and investigative journalist, having previously served as executive editor of both the San Francisco Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle. Bronstein continues to oversee operations and contribute to high-profile investigations at Reveal.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Atlanta, Georgia
Phil Bronstein was born in Atlanta, Georgia.
Joined The San Francisco Examiner
Bronstein began his career at The San Francisco Examiner as a beat reporter.
Pulitzer Prize Finalist
He was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting for his coverage of the overthrow of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Appointed Executive Editor of the San Francisco Examiner
Bronstein was promoted to executive editor of the San Francisco Examiner, a position he held until 2000.
Married Sharon Stone
Phil Bronstein married actress Sharon Stone. They later adopted a son, Roan.
Became Executive Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle
Following Hearst's acquisition of the Chronicle, Bronstein was appointed senior vice president and executive editor, overseeing the merger of newsrooms.
Injured by Komodo Dragon
Bronstein was seriously injured by a Komodo dragon at the Los Angeles Zoo after entering its cage.
Divorced Sharon Stone
His marriage to Sharon Stone ended in divorce.
Joined Board of Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR)
Bronstein joined the board of directors for the Berkeley-based non-profit Center for Investigative Reporting.
Left Chronicle Editor Role for Hearst Editor-at-Large
Bronstein announced he was leaving his job as editor of the Chronicle to become editor-at-large with Hearst Newspapers.
Became CIR Board Chair
He ascended to board chair of the Center for Investigative Reporting.
Resigned from Hearst, Became Executive Chair of CIR
After 31 years, Bronstein resigned from Hearst Newspapers to assume the role of Executive Chair of the board at the Center for Investigative Reporting.
CIR Merged with The Bay Citizen to form Reveal
The Center for Investigative Reporting merged with The Bay Citizen, with Bronstein overseeing operations as Executive Chair of the combined entity, now known as Reveal.
Continues as Executive Chair of Reveal
As of today, Phil Bronstein remains the Executive Chair of the board for the Center for Investigative Reporting (Reveal), continuing his work in investigative journalism.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Phil Bronstein, born on October 4, 1950, in Atlanta, Georgia, embarked on a journalism career that spanned decades, marked by a commitment to investigative reporting and foreign correspondence. His early professional life included a stint at KQED-TV before joining the San Francisco Examiner in 1980. As a foreign correspondent for eight years, Bronstein reported from conflict zones across Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. His impactful coverage of the 1986 People Power Revolution in the Philippines, which led to the ouster of Ferdinand Marcos, earned him a finalist spot for the Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting.
Bronstein ascended to editorial leadership, becoming executive editor of the San Francisco Examiner in 1991. Following Hearst Corporation's acquisition of the San Francisco Chronicle in 2000, he was appointed senior vice president and executive editor of the Chronicle, overseeing the challenging merger of the two newsrooms. He later served as executive vice president and editor-at-large for the Chronicle and Hearst Newspapers, focusing on strategic initiatives and investigative journalism.
A significant turning point in Bronstein's career came in 2012 when, after 31 years with Hearst, he resigned to dedicate himself fully to non-profit journalism. He assumed the role of Executive Chair of the board for the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR), an organization he had joined the board of in 2006 and chaired since 2011. This move coincided with CIR's merger with The Bay Citizen, forming Reveal, where Bronstein has since directed operations and contributed to notable investigations, including identifying the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden.
Beyond his professional achievements, Bronstein's personal life has also drawn public attention, particularly his marriage to actress Sharon Stone from 1998 to 2004, during which they adopted a son, Roan. He also famously sustained injuries from a Komodo dragon bite at the Los Angeles Zoo in 2001. As of June 5, 2026, Phil Bronstein remains the Executive Chair of the board for the Center for Investigative Reporting in Berkeley, California, continuing his influential work in in-depth journalism.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Phil Bronstein made different choices?