Martha Zoller, longtime radio host and political commentator, died today at 67.
Since 1994, Zoller has been an influential presence in metropolitan Atlanta talk radio. For most of those 30 years on the air, she worked at Gainesville news and talk station WDUN AM 550/FM 102.9, where she kept listeners tuned in each morning with her own brand of conservative radio discussion.
Zoller was just weeks away from retiring from the station. Her effective retirement date was supposed to be June 26th, where afterwards she would contribute commentary and political analysis to the station, but would no longer host her daily radio show, The Martha Zoller Show, from 9-11 each weekday.
“This has been one of the great privileges of my professional life,” said Zoller, in a statement announcing her departure from the station. “WDUN has allowed me to talk with governors, senators, local leaders, neighbors, and listeners who care deeply about their communities. I’ve had a front-row seat to history, politics, and the people who shape North Georgia. I am grateful for every conversation, every caller, and every experience I’ve had on WDUN.”‘
Zoller, days later, told Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Rodney Ho she decided to retire following a “stress-related heart attack.” She told Ho about her impending departure, “I’m leaving on my own terms…I can now do what I want to do when I want to do it. I feel good about it.”
Zoller’s death this morning shocked her colleagues at WDUN.
“I’m stunned,” said WDUN host and General Manager of Jacobs Media Bill Maine said to AccessNorthGa. “When I spoke with her before the show on Friday, she was full of energy and we were sharing some jokes. She texted from the hospital. I think back on all the calls we shared during her time away. We kept up with each other and I was excited when she returned to WDUN. More than a great broadcaster, she was a great friend. Always willing to help whomever she could, wherever she could.”
Jay Jacobs, owner of Jacobs Media, WDUN’s parent company, said Zoller was more than just a radio host, and her death leaves a void that will be hard to fill.
“Martha Zoller was a light. She was one of the most consequential voices in the history of WDUN and one of the most respected communicators our community has ever known. I have personally lost a dear friend, and our WDUN family is shocked and grieving a treasured colleague and friend. To say we will miss Martha feels wholly insufficient. Her presence, friendship, wisdom, and voice were woven into the fabric of WDUN and North Georgia. The loss we feel today is profound.”
Zoller, a Georgia native, graduated from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism in 1979, and returned to UGA in 2021 to get her master’s degree in political science. Before she entered journalism, she worked in retail management before she left the workforce temporarily to raise her children and assist with her husband’s medical practice.
Zoller then found her place in the dual worlds of media and politics. In addition to joining WDUN as a talk host, she served as a regular panelist on WAGA Fox 5’s Sunday political debate show, The Georgia Gang. She would appear nationally on such networks as CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, PBS, and on NBC’s Today show and ABC’s World News Tonight. She consistently made Talkers Magazine’s “Heavy Hundred’ list of radio’s most influential talk hosts. She won a GABBY award for the Best Locally Produced Talk Show.
Zoller was an influence in conservative Georgia politics off the air as well as on. She ran for the 9th congressional district seat in 2011, assisted GOP candidates statewide, and was state director of field offices for Governor Brian Kemp‘s administration. She was appointed to the State Board of Education by Kemp.
The Governor paid tribute to Zoller after news of her death broke.
|
Marty, the girls, and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and a long-time fixture in Georgia politics, Martha Zoller. Martha dedicated years of service to the people of our state, both in the early days of my administration and as a member of the State Board of Education and the Jekyll Island Foundation Board. She was also an avid supporter of our nation’s military, visiting troops in Iraq twice during the War on Terror. But she is best known for years in media, especially “The Martha Zoller Show,” providing insight into the conservative political landscape of our state. Across Martha’s many accomplishments, her favorite roles were that of wife, mother, and grandmother. As we reflect on the impact of this beloved voice from Hall County, our prayers are with Lin, their four children, and their grandchildren. -Georgia Governor Brian Kemp |
Others in Georgia media and politics shared their condolences as well.
| “I have no words for how shocking and terrible it is to know that Martha Zoller has died. She was my friend and mentor, and a woman who loved her work, but loved her family more.”
-Patricia Murphy, Atlanta Journal-Constitution “On Friday, Patricia and I drove to Gainesville to join Martha Zoller for what would be her final radio show. We didn’t know it at the time, of course, and Martha wouldn’t let us even think about using the word “retire.” She said she was taking a step back, and wanted one last on-air conversation about Georgia politics. We swapped campaign trail stories, laughed about the characters and twists that make this state endlessly fascinating, and celebrated Martha for what she was: a sharp analyst, a savvy commentator who forged relationships with leaders from across the political spectrum, a generous mentor and a rare bridge-builder in a divided world. After the show, we walked around the corner for a bite to eat and talked about what was next. Martha was excited for this new chapter. She spoke about her plans to spend more time with her husband and family, her deep love of her Gainesville community and, of course, how Georgia politics could still surprise her after all these years. Then we said goodbye. We didn’t know it would be the last time we would see her. We simply told her what was true: that it had been a pleasure and an honor to call her a friend. Rest in peace, Martha. You will be forever missed.” -Greg Bluestein, AJC political journalist “Condolences to the family of Georgia political commentator and longtime Gainesville radio host, the influential Martha Zoller who died today. Last week the 67 year old mother and grandmother announced her sudden, surprising retirement following a “stress related” heart attack. Martha was a very kind person, the news is stunning. She graduated from the University of Georgia Grady School of Journalism in 1979.” -Jeff Hullinger, Georgia Public Broadcasting “Called Martha Zoller Sunday night a week ago to interview her about all the last minute endorsements rolling in for Georgia Governor and US Senate. -Lisa Rayam, NPR Morning Edition Atlanta Host, WABE FM “I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Martha Zoller. I enjoyed our conversations across the years and deeply respected her commitment to her convictions and her community. Honored to pray with her several weeks ago, I am now praying for her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her. Keep the faith…” Sen. Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) “Joan and I are devastated by the passing of our good friend, Martha Zoller.
Martha was a constant, welcome presence in Georgia politics for decades. She ran for office, served on the state school board, worked on campaigns, worked for a Governor and U.S. Senator, and consulted for organizations whose missions she cared about deeply.
She was best known for her sharp political analysis on The Georgia Gang and her morning radio show on WDUN. When you went on Martha’s show, you knew the questions would be firm but fair and the conversation would be fun.
Martha has left us way too soon and she will be deeply missed. We will continue to pray for her husband, Lin, and her whole family during this difficult time.”
-Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr
“I join in mourning Martha Zoller and send my deepest condolences to Martha’s husband, Lin, to her children and grandchildren, and to all who knew and loved her. “Martha was a respected stalwart of Georgia’s civic community, an accomplished broadcaster, and a formidable activist. Whether on her radio show at WDUN, advising elected officials, running for Congress herself, or serving on the State Board of Education, Martha dedicated her life to service, family, and faith, and will be deeply missed by all her life touched. “May Martha’s memory be a blessing.” -Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) “We lost a great Georgian today: Someone who was a great conservative, but she was also a friend to all Georgians. Georgia has lost a leader in the communications business and the business of life.” -Ga. House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) |
According to AccessNorthGa, pastor and former Hall County Board of Elections Chairman Dr. Tom Smiley will be filling in for Zoller for the rest of the week at the station. No future plans for her show’s time slot have been announced yet by WDUN.
Zoller is survived by her husband, Lin, her four children, and six grandchildren. Memorial Park Funeral Home Riverside Chapel in Gainesville will be presiding over funeral arrangements.
Pictured: Martha Zoller. Photo credit: Charley D. Simpson Jr. (marthazoller.com)
