Helen Thomas retires (19 images)

Veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas announced her retirement Monday, just days after she made controversial remarks about Israel and Palestine.

Thomas, 89, who covered the White House for decades, made her comments during an interview that later was posted online.

Thomas wrote for United Press International for more than a half-century and later for Hearst newspapers, covering every president from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama.

United Press International (UPI) White House reporter Helen Thomas (C) represented all the regular White House reporters during a boycott of a White House news briefing on October 18, 1982. The briefing by Morton Collins, of the National Venture Capital Association, came after Collins presented President Ronald Reagan with a golden egg award, but the reporters were not permitted to view the presentation. Photo by Don Rypka/UPI

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Pres. Jimmy Carter and United Press International (UPI) White House reporter Helen Thomas share laughs as Ms. Thomas was given a surprise birthday party by her colleagues at the White House Press Room on August 3, 1979. (UPI Photo/Larry Rubenstein/Files)

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President Ronald Reagan greets United Press International (UPI) White House reporter Helen Thomas on April 22, 1981 in the Treaty Room at the White House in Washington. Reagan granted an interview with the wire services and described the March 30 attempt on his life. (UPI Photo/Don Rypka/Files)

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Helen Thomas, White House bureau chief for United Press International is presented the 1984 Fourth Estate Award on December 5, 1984 by the National Press Club. UPI’s Helen Thomas is the first woman and first wire service reporter to receive the award since its inception in 1973. President of the National Press Club John Fogarty (rear) applauds after he presented the award. (UPI photo/Mel Langsdon/Files)

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