Washington - Legendary TV news anchor Walter Cronkite is suffering from a cerebrovascular disease and is not expected to recover, his family said.

"Sadly, he is very ill and is not expected to recuperate," his family said Thursday in an email to the New York Post. "He is resting at home surrounded by family, friends and a wonderful medical team. We thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes.

Cronkite served as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981, and is famous for his coverage of the death of President John F Kennedy, the Vietnam War, and the first moon landing.

Varying reports of Cronkite's illness have been appearing for more than a week, and the family decided to issue a statement "in order to dispel false rumors."

Cronkite's daughter is quoted as saying by the Post that her father was suffering from a cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood vessels in the brain. But she said he was not suffering from Alzheimer's disease "or any of the various other diseases that have been incorrectly reported."

His calm and kindly demeanor earned him the nickname "Uncle Walter" from viewers, and he was often described as "the most trusted man in America."

Cronkite married journalist Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Maxwell in 1940, and they remained together until her death in 2005. They had three children and four grandchildren.(dpa)