Will Shortz, Crossword Editor forThe New York Times, Recovering from Stroke

Mar. 15, 2025

Will Shortz, crossword editor for ‘The New York Times’.Photo:Randall Michelson/WireImageWill Shortz, the longtime crossword puzzle editor forThe New York Times,is in rehabilitation following a strokeShortz has edited the crossword for more than 30 years, and also serves as Puzzlemaster for NPRA rep forThe New York Timessays Shortz, 71, is “expected to [have] a full recovery"The longtimecrossword puzzleeditor forThe New York Timesis in rehab following astroke, he revealed this weekend.Will Shortz, 71, who is also the Puzzlemaster for NPR, revealed his health struggle during an appearance at the end of the outlet’sSunday Puzzle podcast, where he curates riddles for listeners.“I know our listeners have been wondering about Will, our beloved Puzzlemaster,” host Ayesha Rascoe said towards the end of the episode. “And before we go, I wanted to share a special message from the Puzzlemaster himself.”“Hey guys, this is Will Shortz. Sorry I’ve been out the last few weeks,” he said in a recorded message. “I had a stroke on February 4, and have been in rehabilitation since then, but I am making progress. I’m looking forward to being back with new puzzles soon.”Will Shortz, crossword editor forThe New York Times.Bennett Raglin/Getty“A stroke can occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked or there is sudden bleeding in the brain,” according to theNational Institute of Health, which points out that an ischemic stroke, which occurs from a blockage, accounts for just under 90% of strokes.It was not revealed which type of stroke Shortz had, but asthe Mayo Clinic points out, rehabilitation can range from exercises toimprove motor skillsto cognitive therapies.Shortz has appeared on NPR’sWeekend Edition Sundaysince its debut in 1987,NBC News reports, and has been the crossword editor for theNew York Timessince 1993, celebrating his 30th anniversary last year.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.He’s only the fourth person to hold that job in the entire history of theNew York Times, which first launched thefamed crossword in 1941.“When I was a kid, I imagined a life where I’d be sitting in an attic somewhere, making my little puzzles for $15 each, somehow surviving,” he toldNYTin 2017. “I actually wrote a paper in eighth grade about what I wanted to do with my life, and it was to be a professional puzzle maker.”Will Shortz, crossword editor for theNew York Times.Craig Ruttle/Bloomberg/GettyOn Sunday’s NPR episode, Rascoe continued, “We here atWeekend Edition, we love Will, and I know that everybody at home does, too. And we are rooting for him, and we are so hopeful and know that he will feel better soon.Greg Pliska,The Puzzlerpodcast host who filled in for Shortz on this week’s episode, added, “I know I speak for the whole puzzling community in wishing Will the best. He’s been a great friend to me for many years. And as much as I love playing the Puzzle on air with you, Ayesha, I look forward to getting to play from home with you and Will again in my Sunday morning pajamas.”The New York Timessaid Shortzdid not immediatelyrespond to questions about when he can return to work, but a spokesman for the outlet said the newspaper had been in “regular contact” with him, and wished him “the best on his path to what is expected to be a full recovery.”The rep added, “We look forward to having him back at work when he is ready.”

Will Shortz, crossword editor for ‘The New York Times’.Photo:Randall Michelson/WireImage

Randall Michelson/WireImage

Will Shortz, the longtime crossword puzzle editor forThe New York Times,is in rehabilitation following a strokeShortz has edited the crossword for more than 30 years, and also serves as Puzzlemaster for NPRA rep forThe New York Timessays Shortz, 71, is “expected to [have] a full recovery"The longtimecrossword puzzleeditor forThe New York Timesis in rehab following astroke, he revealed this weekend.Will Shortz, 71, who is also the Puzzlemaster for NPR, revealed his health struggle during an appearance at the end of the outlet’sSunday Puzzle podcast, where he curates riddles for listeners.“I know our listeners have been wondering about Will, our beloved Puzzlemaster,” host Ayesha Rascoe said towards the end of the episode. “And before we go, I wanted to share a special message from the Puzzlemaster himself.”“Hey guys, this is Will Shortz. Sorry I’ve been out the last few weeks,” he said in a recorded message. “I had a stroke on February 4, and have been in rehabilitation since then, but I am making progress. I’m looking forward to being back with new puzzles soon.”Will Shortz, crossword editor forThe New York Times.Bennett Raglin/Getty“A stroke can occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked or there is sudden bleeding in the brain,” according to theNational Institute of Health, which points out that an ischemic stroke, which occurs from a blockage, accounts for just under 90% of strokes.It was not revealed which type of stroke Shortz had, but asthe Mayo Clinic points out, rehabilitation can range from exercises toimprove motor skillsto cognitive therapies.Shortz has appeared on NPR’sWeekend Edition Sundaysince its debut in 1987,NBC News reports, and has been the crossword editor for theNew York Timessince 1993, celebrating his 30th anniversary last year.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.He’s only the fourth person to hold that job in the entire history of theNew York Times, which first launched thefamed crossword in 1941.“When I was a kid, I imagined a life where I’d be sitting in an attic somewhere, making my little puzzles for $15 each, somehow surviving,” he toldNYTin 2017. “I actually wrote a paper in eighth grade about what I wanted to do with my life, and it was to be a professional puzzle maker.”Will Shortz, crossword editor for theNew York Times.Craig Ruttle/Bloomberg/GettyOn Sunday’s NPR episode, Rascoe continued, “We here atWeekend Edition, we love Will, and I know that everybody at home does, too. And we are rooting for him, and we are so hopeful and know that he will feel better soon.Greg Pliska,The Puzzlerpodcast host who filled in for Shortz on this week’s episode, added, “I know I speak for the whole puzzling community in wishing Will the best. He’s been a great friend to me for many years. And as much as I love playing the Puzzle on air with you, Ayesha, I look forward to getting to play from home with you and Will again in my Sunday morning pajamas.”The New York Timessaid Shortzdid not immediatelyrespond to questions about when he can return to work, but a spokesman for the outlet said the newspaper had been in “regular contact” with him, and wished him “the best on his path to what is expected to be a full recovery.”The rep added, “We look forward to having him back at work when he is ready.”

The longtimecrossword puzzleeditor forThe New York Timesis in rehab following astroke, he revealed this weekend.

Will Shortz, 71, who is also the Puzzlemaster for NPR, revealed his health struggle during an appearance at the end of the outlet’sSunday Puzzle podcast, where he curates riddles for listeners.

“I know our listeners have been wondering about Will, our beloved Puzzlemaster,” host Ayesha Rascoe said towards the end of the episode. “And before we go, I wanted to share a special message from the Puzzlemaster himself.”

“Hey guys, this is Will Shortz. Sorry I’ve been out the last few weeks,” he said in a recorded message. “I had a stroke on February 4, and have been in rehabilitation since then, but I am making progress. I’m looking forward to being back with new puzzles soon.”

Will Shortz, crossword editor forThe New York Times.Bennett Raglin/Getty

Bennett Raglin/Getty

“A stroke can occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked or there is sudden bleeding in the brain,” according to theNational Institute of Health, which points out that an ischemic stroke, which occurs from a blockage, accounts for just under 90% of strokes.

It was not revealed which type of stroke Shortz had, but asthe Mayo Clinic points out, rehabilitation can range from exercises toimprove motor skillsto cognitive therapies.

Shortz has appeared on NPR’sWeekend Edition Sundaysince its debut in 1987,NBC News reports, and has been the crossword editor for theNew York Timessince 1993, celebrating his 30th anniversary last year.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

He’s only the fourth person to hold that job in the entire history of theNew York Times, which first launched thefamed crossword in 1941.

“When I was a kid, I imagined a life where I’d be sitting in an attic somewhere, making my little puzzles for $15 each, somehow surviving,” he toldNYTin 2017. “I actually wrote a paper in eighth grade about what I wanted to do with my life, and it was to be a professional puzzle maker.”

Will Shortz, crossword editor for theNew York Times.Craig Ruttle/Bloomberg/Getty

Craig Ruttle/Bloomberg/Getty

On Sunday’s NPR episode, Rascoe continued, “We here atWeekend Edition, we love Will, and I know that everybody at home does, too. And we are rooting for him, and we are so hopeful and know that he will feel better soon.

Greg Pliska,The Puzzlerpodcast host who filled in for Shortz on this week’s episode, added, “I know I speak for the whole puzzling community in wishing Will the best. He’s been a great friend to me for many years. And as much as I love playing the Puzzle on air with you, Ayesha, I look forward to getting to play from home with you and Will again in my Sunday morning pajamas.”

The New York Timessaid Shortzdid not immediatelyrespond to questions about when he can return to work, but a spokesman for the outlet said the newspaper had been in “regular contact” with him, and wished him “the best on his path to what is expected to be a full recovery.”

The rep added, “We look forward to having him back at work when he is ready.”

source: people.com