WABC-TV Anchor Bill Ritter Leaves Newscast Job Due to Alzheimer’s

Longtime WABC-TV/ABC7 news anchor Bill Ritter has announced his retirement from the “Eyewitness News” anchor chair after being diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Ritter, who has been anchoring the station’s 6 p.m. newscast since 2001, made the emotional announcement during Friday’s broadcast, marking it as his final appearance on the show.

In his statement, Ritter revealed that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s and that while the treatments he is receiving are currently keeping the disease at bay, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. As a result, Ritter has made the difficult decision to step away from his daily anchoring duties to focus on his health and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and other similar diseases.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ritter has been a prominent figure in the world of journalism. Prior to joining WABC in 1998, he worked for the Los Angeles Times, as well as L.A. stations KTTV and KCAL, and San Diego’s KNSD. He also had national exposure, anchoring “Good Morning America Sunday” and contributing to “20/20.”

During his time at WABC, Ritter served as the co-anchor of the “Eyewitness News” 11 p.m. broadcast before adding the 6 p.m. slot in 2001. He has been a familiar face to viewers for over two decades, earning their love and respect with his exceptional insight, integrity, and heart.

In his farewell statement, Ritter expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, viewers, and family for their support throughout his career. He highlighted the importance of spending time with his loved ones, especially as he embarks on this new chapter in his life.

Despite stepping down from his anchoring role, Ritter has pledged to continue working at WABC/Eyewitness News, focusing on issues related to Alzheimer’s and advocating for better resources and support for those affected by the disease. He remains committed to his journalistic duties and will continue to provide valuable insights and updates to viewers both on-air and online.

As Ritter transitions into this new phase of his life, he remains determined to make a difference and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. His courage and resilience in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to all, and his dedication to journalism and advocacy will leave a lasting impact on the industry.

We wish Bill Ritter all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his years of service and dedication to keeping the public informed. His contributions to the field of journalism and his commitment to fighting Alzheimer’s will not be forgotten.