Bill Ritter, a longtime New York City television news anchor for WABC-TV, announced his retirement after revealing he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The 76-year-old veteran journalist anchored the station's evening newscasts since 2001 and became a familiar face to millions of New York residents.
Key Takeaways
New York City TV anchor Bill Ritter announced his retirement from WABC after revealing an early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis. He will continue to work at the station in a new role focused on reporting about Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions.
- Veteran news anchor Bill Ritter, 76, announces retirement due to early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis
- Ritter anchored WABC-TV's evening newscasts since 2001 after joining the station in 1998
- He will continue working at WABC in a new role focused on reporting about Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions
- Nearly 7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 4 publishers report consistent facts across 5 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Broad Agreement | Early-stage Alzheimer's disease | |
| Retirement Announcement Date | Broad Agreement | Friday night during Eyewitness News broadcast | |
| Ritter's Age | Broad Agreement | 76 years old | |
| Treatment Status | Broad Agreement | Treatments keeping it at bay for now, no cure yet | |
| Ritter's Career Start At Wabc-tv | Broad Agreement | Joined in 1998 after working at Los Angeles Times and local TV stations in California |
Diagnosis
Broad AgreementEarly-stage Alzheimer's disease
Retirement Announcement Date
Broad AgreementFriday night during Eyewitness News broadcast
Ritter's Age
Broad Agreement76 years old
Treatment Status
Broad AgreementTreatments keeping it at bay for now, no cure yet
Ritter's Career Start At Wabc-tv
Broad AgreementJoined in 1998 after working at Los Angeles Times and local TV stations in California
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During Friday night's Eyewitness News broadcast, Ritter revealed his diagnosis and stated that it would be his final night anchoring the program. 'After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer's,' he said on air. He added that while treatments are keeping the disease at bay for now, there is no cure yet.
Ritter joined WABC-TV in 1998 after an extensive journalism career that included work at the Los Angeles Times, local television stations in California, and positions with ABC News. He began anchoring the station's 11 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast in 1999 and was added to the flagship 6 p.m. newscast in 2001.
Despite stepping down from daily anchoring, Ritter will remain with WABC-TV in a new role focused on reporting about Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions, as well as their impact on patients and families. 'For decades, Bill Ritter has covered and led New Yorkers through the stories that matter most,' said WABC-TV General Manager Marilu Galvez in a statement.
Ritter's colleagues and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded to his announcement with messages of support. 'His courage in sharing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis will help countless families facing the same challenge feel less alone,' Mamdani wrote on X. Nearly 7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
How this summary was created
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