Bill Ritter announces early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis and steps away from anchoring

Veteran New York television anchor Bill Ritter has announced he is stepping away from daily news anchoring after being diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

Ritter made the emotional announcement during Friday’s edition of WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News at 6:00 PM, confirming it would be his final broadcast as anchor.

“After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer's,” Ritter told viewers during the programme.

“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.”

The 76-year-old journalist has been a familiar face on New York television for decades. Ritter joined WABC-TV in 1998 and became anchor of the station’s 6:00 PM newscast in 2001.

Despite stepping away from the news desk, Ritter said he will remain with the station in a different role, focusing on reporting about Alzheimer’s and similar diseases.

“I will continue helping the younger journalists here at Eyewitness News,” he said.

Ritter also spoke about the impact the diagnosis has had on his family and reflected on his long broadcasting career alongside colleagues including Liz Cho and Lee Goldberg.

Marilu Galvez, general manager of WABC-TV, praised Ritter’s contribution to journalism, saying he had guided viewers through major stories with “exceptional insight, integrity, and, most of all, heart.”