Mark Shields recently died at the age of 85 (Image via Alex Wong/Getty Images)Political columnist and commentator Mark Shields recently passed away from kidney failure on Saturday, June 18. He was 85 years old at the time of death. Newshour anchor Judy Woodruff confirmed the news in a tweet that states,“I am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour’s beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side.”Everything known about Mark ShieldsJudy Woodruff@JudyWoodruffI am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour’s beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side.193822528I am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour’s beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side. https://t.co/d68SZiGQJfBorn on May 25, 1937, Mark Stephen Shields gained recognition for his political analysis and commentary on PBS NewsHour since 1988. He was a regular panelist on the political roundtable show Inside Washington until 2013, and a moderator and panelist on the CNN weekly political talk show, Capital Gang.The Weymouth, Massachusetts native graduated in 1959 from the University of Notre Dame. He initially joined the United States Marine Corps in Florida in 1960 and was a lance corporal before being discharged in 1962.Mark Shields and Mark Russell during the dedication of the "Mark Russell Marquee Lounge" at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (Image via Bill Clark/Getty Images)After moving to Washington in 1965, he became an adviser to Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire, and worked for Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1968. He was also a part of Edmund Muskie and Morris Udall’s presidential campaigns, and served as Sargent Shriver's political director.He managed state and local campaigns in several states alongside the re-election campaign of Mayor Kevin White in 1975. He joined The Washington Post as an editorial writer in 1979 and started writing a column.Shields also taught U.S. politics and press at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. Mark was a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government.He started appearing as a political commentator on PBS NewsHour in 1988. The show is currently broadcast on around 350 PBS member stations and is popular for its coverage of issues and current events.Shields left the show in 2020, and the news was announced by Judy Woodruff. However, Woodruff also stated that Shields would still occasionally be a part of the NewsHour during important political events. Mark also wrote a book titled On the Campaign Trail based on the 1984 presidential campaign.Netizens pay tribute on TwitterMark Shields was famous among the public due to his appearance on PBS NewsHour. People expressed their grief on Twitter following the news of his death.Michael Beschloss@BeschlossDCThe brilliant, kindly, original, hilarious and shrewd Mark Shields (1937-2022):7133774The brilliant, kindly, original, hilarious and shrewd Mark Shields (1937-2022): https://t.co/6WFSNp4L0Zcarolynryan 🏳️‍🌈🏓@carolynryanSo sad to tell you that my uncle, Mark Shields, died this morning. He was a special guy: full of heart and wisdom and love. Love of politics, sports, and so many people.3805244So sad to tell you that my uncle, Mark Shields, died this morning. He was a special guy: full of heart and wisdom and love. Love of politics, sports, and so many people.❤️ https://t.co/LUcpCf15ByJonathan Capehart@CapehartJMark Shields was a giant. A gentleman who put our complex world into context. A believer in the promise of America and in his fellow Americans who strived to live out its promise. To follow in the path he blazed at @pbsnewshour is an honor. RIP, Mr. Shields.1716189Mark Shields was a giant. A gentleman who put our complex world into context. A believer in the promise of America and in his fellow Americans who strived to live out its promise. To follow in the path he blazed at @pbsnewshour is an honor. RIP, Mr. Shields. https://t.co/mtj6ZVzuhzLawrence O'Donnell@LawrenceI’m going to retweet every admiring thing I see about Mark Shields and it won’t be enough. twitter.com/nytimes/status…The New York Times@nytimesMark Shields, a fixture in American political journalism and punditry who was seen on "PBS NewsHour" for 33 years, died on Saturday at his home in Maryland. He was 85. nyti.ms/3QvXwYD628100Mark Shields, a fixture in American political journalism and punditry who was seen on "PBS NewsHour" for 33 years, died on Saturday at his home in Maryland. He was 85. nyti.ms/3QvXwYD https://t.co/6dGGMSEOPXI’m going to retweet every admiring thing I see about Mark Shields and it won’t be enough. twitter.com/nytimes/status…Luke Russert@LukeRussertGod speed Mark Shields. Nice man. Forever a believer in America’s promise. Watched “Capital Gang” with Dad most every Saturday after college football games. May the luck of the Irish enfold you.”83457God speed Mark Shields. Nice man. Forever a believer in America’s promise. Watched “Capital Gang” with Dad most every Saturday after college football games. May the luck of the Irish enfold you.” https://t.co/sgoYV792qHEJ Dionne@EJDionneMark Shields RIPHe was, quite simply, a deeply good man. He offered many pieces of wisdom. My favorite: that political people, like religious people, are divided between heretic hunters and convert seekers. He was always a warm & generous convert seeker. twitter.com/judywoodruff/s…Judy Woodruff@JudyWoodruffI am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour’s beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side.46269I am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour’s beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side. https://t.co/d68SZiGQJfMark Shields RIPHe was, quite simply, a deeply good man. He offered many pieces of wisdom. My favorite: that political people, like religious people, are divided between heretic hunters and convert seekers. He was always a warm & generous convert seeker. twitter.com/judywoodruff/s…Robert Costa@costareportsMy favorite memory of Mark Shields. He saw me standing alone in a NH parking lot, late after a debate, Jan. 2012. Offered me a ride back to Manchester. With cheer and laughs, shared stories about RFK, his hero.A man in full. A Notre Dame man. A family man. A PBS man. RIP.1341144My favorite memory of Mark Shields. He saw me standing alone in a NH parking lot, late after a debate, Jan. 2012. Offered me a ride back to Manchester. With cheer and laughs, shared stories about RFK, his hero.A man in full. A Notre Dame man. A family man. A PBS man. RIP.Coyne@realintegration@BeschlossDC If more people in DC were like Mark Shields our country would be in a much better place right now. May he rest in peace.27714@BeschlossDC If more people in DC were like Mark Shields our country would be in a much better place right now. May he rest in peace.John Harwood@JohnJHarwoodRIP Mark Shields. such a kind, funny, smart, wonderful human being twitter.com/judywoodruff/s…Judy Woodruff@JudyWoodruffI am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour’s beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side.67266I am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour’s beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side. https://t.co/d68SZiGQJfRIP Mark Shields. such a kind, funny, smart, wonderful human being twitter.com/judywoodruff/s…Jeff Greenfield@greenfield64A dinner with Mark Shields at a convention or debate, with endless stories and Mark’s laughter, was as good an evening in politics as there was. And he never lost his sense of optimism and good will. twitter.com/beschlossdc/st…Michael Beschloss@BeschlossDCThe brilliant, kindly, original, hilarious and shrewd Mark Shields (1937-2022):46347The brilliant, kindly, original, hilarious and shrewd Mark Shields (1937-2022): https://t.co/6WFSNp4L0ZA dinner with Mark Shields at a convention or debate, with endless stories and Mark’s laughter, was as good an evening in politics as there was. And he never lost his sense of optimism and good will. twitter.com/beschlossdc/st…Shields is survived by his wife Anne Hudson Shields, daughter Amy and two grandchildren. An official statement is currently awaited from his family members and further details on his funeral are yet to be disclosed.