[3] Prior to World War II, her assignments included covering the trial of Bruno Hauptman, the kidnapper of the Lindbergh baby, and "stunt reporting", including reporting on her scuba-diving and skydiving lessons.

[3][4] Tighe worked for INS and New York Post during World War II.

[5] Nancy Caldwell Sorel, author of a book on female war correspondents, described her as "famous for her blunt language and flamboyant lifestyle".

Tighe was struck by a severe headache at an event for correspondents in Tokyo on December 27, 1946.

[8] She was taken to the hospital for examination, where she suffered a stroke, and died five days later, on December 31, 1946.