Beloved WABC Anchor Bill Ritter Steps Away From Anchor Desk, Reveals Early Alzheimer's Diagnosis
Key keywords: Bill Ritter, WABC Channel 7, Alzheimer's diagnosis, step away from anchor desk, Eyewitness News, New York local news, veteran broadcast journalist, Alzheimer's stigma reduction. Longtime WABC Channel 7 anchor Bill Ritter announced this week that he is stepping down from his full-time anchor role on the station’s top-rated Eyewitness News evening broadcasts, after sharing a public diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The 73-year-old journalist, who has been a fixture of New York local news for more than 25 years since joining WABC in 1998, shared the news in an emotional open letter posted to his social media channels and addressed directly to viewers during a special segment on Tuesday night. Ritter noted that he first noticed mild cognitive changes earlier this year, and sought testing after consulting with his primary care physician and a team of neurologists, who confirmed the early Alzheimer’s diagnosis. He emphasized that while he is stepping away from the daily anchor desk to prioritize his health and spend more time with his wife, three children, and grandchildren, he plans to remain affiliated with WABC to create special segments focused on Alzheimer’s awareness, research updates, and resources for families navigating the disease. Over his decades-long career, Ritter became one of the most trusted faces in New York media, leading coverage of some of the region’s most defining events, including the September 11th terror attacks, Hurricane Sandy, the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, and multiple local and national elections. Colleagues at WABC described Ritter as the “heartbeat” of the Eyewitness News team, noting his signature warmth, dedication to accurate reporting, and commitment to lifting up underrepresented stories across the five boroughs. WABC management released a statement saying the station will fully support Ritter through his treatment, and has reserved a permanent role for him on the Eyewitness News team for any future public service or awareness projects he chooses to lead. Ritter said his decision to share his diagnosis publicly was driven by a desire to reduce the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease, encourage people experiencing unusual cognitive symptoms to seek testing as early as possible, and push for increased public funding for Alzheimer’s research. Thousands of viewers have already shared messages of support across social media, with many noting that Ritter’s nightly broadcasts were a staple of their family’s evening routines for decades.
Featured Comments
Growing up in Brooklyn, I watched Bill deliver the news every night with my parents before dinner. He never felt like a distant media figure, he felt like a trusted neighbor who always had our community’s best interests at heart. My heart aches at his diagnosis, but I’m so grateful he’s using his platform to bring more attention to this devastating disease. Sending nothing but love and strength to him and his whole family.
As a fellow local news reporter working in Buffalo, Bill Ritter has been my professional role model since I was in journalism school. His ability to deliver hard news with empathy and grace, especially during the darkest days of the pandemic, is something every journalist should strive to emulate. His decision to be open about his Alzheimer’s diagnosis is incredibly brave, and I have no doubt it will save lives by encouraging more people to get screened early.
My father was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s six months ago, and we’ve struggled so much with the shame and uncertainty of what comes next. Seeing someone as respected and beloved as Bill speak so openly about his own journey makes me feel so much less alone in this. Thank you for everything you’ve done for New York over the years, Bill, and thank you for giving families like mine a voice. We’re all rooting for you.