bill ritter Making a shocking announcement.
At the end of 6pm ET Eyewitness News airing on Friday (June 12), the 76-year-old ABC New York anchor announced he was retiring and revealed he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
After turning 75 last year, Bill Decided to “cut down a bit” by eliminating first his role as the 11 p.m. newscaster and then the 5 p.m.
“My goal was to spend more time with my family,” Bill Said. “Now, a year ago, I became a grandfather, thanks to my oldest daughter. And later this summer, I will have my second grandchild, thanks to my son. And a year from now, my youngest daughter will graduate high school.”
“But spending more time with my family has become even more important now, as my life has changed,” he added, adding that he received the diagnosis after doctors ran several tests.
The beloved news anchor said she has been diagnosed with “early stage Alzheimer’s” and the treatment she is receiving is “keeping it at bay, at least for now.”
“But there are no guarantees here, because there is no cure for Alzheimer’s yet,” Bill Continued. “So, unless someone finds some amazing cure and really soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor.”
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, a person may still be able to “function independently” but “feel as if his or her memory is declining, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects,” according to Alzheimer’s Association.
After thanking all my ABC colleagues, Bill Talked about his family.
“My kids say, ‘Dad, you’re so brave in all this,'” he said. “But no, it’s not me who’s brave; it’s those who are brave, like my wife Kathleen.”
Stepping down from his role as anchor, Bill He said he would continue to work at ABC 7 NY, “helping young journalists.”
“I will also remain a journalist here Eyewitness NewsAnd that’s why you’ll still see me on the air and online,” he said. “One reason is this station wants to delve deeper into the rising tide of Alzheimer’s and other similar diseases.”
“I am no stranger to this disease,” Bill Continued. “My father died of it in June 1998. I’ve been active in the fight to stop Alzheimer’s ever since, and I’ll continue to do so with my friend Mike Marza, who replaced me, you’ll remember, last year on Eyewitness News at 5 and 11. Mike’s grandfather died of the disease, and we’ve held several awareness events about Alzheimer’s to spread the word.”
Bill He concluded his message by saying, “I will greatly miss delivering news to all of you with truth and facts, no matter where they fall. It is an honor to do so. But for now, I wish you health and peace. Let’s take care of each other.”
After beginning his television journalism career in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Bill Joined ABC 7 in 1998.
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