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Veteran WABC-TV anchor Bill Ritter announced on Friday evening that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and is stepping away from the anchor desk after nearly 30 years at the New York station.
In an emotional announcement that stunned viewers across the tri-state area, Ritter, 76, revealed his diagnosis during Friday’s edition of Eyewitness News at 6, telling viewers that this evening’s broadcast would be his last.
‘After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer’s,’ Ritter said.
The longtime journalist said doctors have classified the condition as early-stage Alzheimer’s and that treatment is currently helping to slow its progression.
‘It’s ‘early stage’ Alzheimer’s, and they say the treatments I’m getting are keeping it at bay. For now. But there is no guarantee, because there’s no cure yet for Alzheimer’s,’ Ritter said.
‘So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor.’
The announcement marks the end of a broadcasting era at WABC where the veteran journalist has been a fixture on New York televisions for decades.
Ritter first joined the station in 1998. He took over the 11pm newscast from legendary anchor Bill Beutel in 1999 and added the station’s flagship 6pm broadcast in 2001, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in New York television news.
Bill Ritter announced has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease The veteran broadcaster said Friday’s Eyewitness News at 6 would be his final broadcast as an anchor
Ritter, 76, said doctors told him he has Alzheimer’s following a series of medical tests
Ritter said he will remain at ABC7 in a reporting role focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions, while also continuing to mentor younger journalists in the newsroom.
His farewell message reflected on both his professional legacy and the deeply personal reality of confronting a disease that has already touched his family.
Ritter revealed that he lost his own father to Alzheimer’s in 1998 and has spent years supporting efforts to raise awareness about the condition.
‘I am not a stranger to this disease,’ he said. ‘My dad died with it in June 1998.’
The diagnosis comes at a time when Ritter had already begun scaling back his workload.
He told viewers that after turning 75 he had hoped to spend more time with family, a decision made even more meaningful by recent milestones in his personal life.
‘A year ago, I became a grandfather thanks to my oldest daughter, and later this summer, I’ll have a second grandchild thanks to my son,’ Ritter said.
Bill Ritter, left, alongside his fellow ABC7 colleagues Sade Baderinwa whom he worked alongside for 14 years and weatherman Lee Goldberg who he worked with for 20 years
Ritter, pictured in 2004, succeeded legendary anchor Bill Beutel on the station’s 11pm newscast in 1999
‘Spending more time with my family has now become even more important, because my life has taken a turn.’
Despite stepping away from daily anchoring duties, Ritter made clear that he is not retiring from journalism.
Instead, he will remain at ABC7 in a new reporting role focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions, examining their impact on patients, caregivers and families across the country.
He said he plans to investigate ‘the rising tide of Alzheimer’s, and other similar diseases, including how it’s affecting patients and their families, how the price of treatment and the price of caring for patients is simply unaffordable and how this country might begin to change that.’
The veteran broadcaster also said he intends to continue mentoring younger journalists in the newsroom.
‘I will continue helping the younger journalists here at Eyewitness News,’ he said. ‘Hey, I’m now 76. So, for me, everyone in the newsroom is younger than I am.’
During his farewell remarks, Ritter paid tribute to many of the colleagues who helped shape his career.
He highlighted his 25-and-a-half-year partnership with producer Zahir Sachedina, calling attention to the longevity of their working relationship.
‘I believe we are the longest-running, behind-the-scenes newscast team ever, here, and maybe anywhere – a Muslim producer, and a Jewish anchor – for 25 and a half years,’ Ritter said.
Ritter said treatments are currently helping keep the disease ‘at bay.’ He revealed that his father died with Alzheimer’s disease in June 1998
Bill Ritter is seen alongside Chief Business and Economics Correspondent at ABC News, Rebecca Jarvis in 2016
He also praised longtime co-anchor Liz Cho noting how they became the longest-running on-air team in Channel 7 history (23 years), while also recognizing meteorologist Lee Goldberg (20 years), sports anchor Ryan Field and anchor Sade Baderinwa (14 years).
As the emotional broadcast drew to a close, Ritter thanked station leadership for their support during one of the most difficult periods of his life.
‘I also want to say ‘thanks’ to my bosses at WABC. They have treated me and my family with compassion and humanity, and love,’ he said.
The station’s general manager, Marilu Galvez, paid tribute to Ritter’s decades of service in a statement released after the announcement.
‘For decades, Bill Ritter has covered and led New Yorkers through the stories that matter most,’ Galvez said.
‘A defining presence at ABC7, he has done so with exceptional insight, integrity, and, most of all – heart, earning the love and respect of viewers and colleagues alike.’
Galvez added that Ritter would continue to play a major role at the station despite stepping away from the anchor desk.
‘While he is stepping away from daily anchoring, he will continue to be an integral part of our ABC7 family, including sharing personal updates and providing resources to help others impacted by Alzheimer’s better understand the disease and the resources available to them,’ she said.
‘Bill is strong, brilliant, and resourceful, and we look forward to his continued reporting on Eyewitness News.’
Ritter’s journalism career included coverage of major events such as the Rodney King trial, the LA riots, Oklahoma City bombing, TWA Flight 800 disaster and the death of Princess Diana
Ritter’s career stretches across some of the biggest stories of the last four decades.
Before arriving in New York, he reported extensively in California, covering events including the Rodney King trial and the Los Angeles riots.
Earlier investigative work in San Diego earned him four Emmy Awards, while his national reporting career included roles with ABC News, ‘Good Morning America Sunday’ and ’20/20.’
Over the years, he covered major events ranging from the Oklahoma City bombing and the TWA Flight 800 disaster to the death of Princess Diana and high-profile criminal cases that captivated the nation.
Yet it was his steady presence in New York living rooms night after night that made him one of the city’s most trusted journalists.
As he signed off from the anchor desk for the final time, Ritter left viewers with a message that was both deeply personal and unmistakably hopeful.
‘I am going to so miss reporting the news to you. With the truth, and with facts, no matter where they fall,’ he said.
‘For now, I wish you health and peace, and let’s take care of each other.’