NEW YORK — Donald E. Newhouse, longtime president of Advance Publications' newspaper group, died at age 96 at his home in New Jersey, his family said. He led the company’s newspaper operations for nearly 50 years, overseeing 35 publications including The Star-Ledger in Newark, New Jersey, where he also served as president.

Newhouse held prominent industry roles, serving as chairman of the Associated Press board of directors from 1997 to 2002 after nine years as a board member. He was also chairman of the Newspaper Association of America from 1993 to 1994. During his tenure, Advance Publications’ newspapers earned a dozen Pulitzer Prizes between 2001 and 2012.

He emphasized local autonomy in newspaper management, once stating, “Each of our newspapers operates independently, with publishers who are strong, who set policy for their individual organizations and who have the authority and responsibility of carrying out the policies they set.” Newhouse regularly visited his newspapers but left day-to-day editorial decisions to local publishers. When asked to list the biggest chances he took in his career, Newhouse answered: “Inviting your questions.”

Newhouse acknowledged the challenges of digital disruption, telling The Post-Standard of Syracuse in 2007 that “newspapers can survive by producing content that is relevant, interesting, accurate and entertaining for newspapers and the internet.” In 2012, Advance Publications shifted several newspapers to reduced print schedules, a move accompanied by hundreds of layoffs. At the rededication of a communications school named after his father at Syracuse University in 2004, he said, “The 15th-century revolution was epitomized by the printing of the Gutenberg Bible; ours by Ted Turner's cable news network and by web-based news sites — news in real time from anywhere to everywhere.”

Louis D. Boccardi, retired president and CEO of the AP, called Newhouse a uniquely effective leader: “He could come across as self-effacing and deferential, but in Don’s skilled hands those were qualities that made him an enormously strong and effective leader.” Boccardi also noted, “His voice was never the loudest in the room, but it was often the wisest.”

Anna Wintour, global editorial director of Vogue and Conde Nast’s chief content officer, praised him in a family-released obituary, saying, “You reveled in his company. He filled you with energy and humor when you felt doubtful and weak.” She added, “He was scrupulous about not interfering in editorial business, but if you turned to him for counsel, he invariably offered judicious advice.”

Born in 1929, Newhouse attended Syracuse University and later received an honorary degree in 2016, delivering the commencement address. He is survived by his children and grandchildren. His wife, Susan, died in 2015.