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Bill Ritter Steps Down From Eyewitness News After Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Bill Ritter Steps Down From Eyewitness News After Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Bill Ritter Steps Down From Eyewitness News After Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
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Bill Ritter Steps Down From Eyewitness News After Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

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Bill Ritter Steps Down From Eyewitness News After Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Bill Ritter Leaves Anchor Desk

Bill Ritter, a longtime face of WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News, is ending his regular run behind the anchor desk after publicly sharing that he has early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

The 76-year-old journalist made the announcement on Friday, June 12, during Eyewitness News at 6, telling the audience that the evening broadcast would be his last as a daily anchor.

“After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer’s,” Ritter told viewers.

Ritter said doctors are currently treating the condition, but he was candid about the uncertainty that comes with the diagnosis. He also connected the news to his family history, revealing that his father died with Alzheimer’s in June 1998.

Marilu Galvez, General Manager of WABC-TV, honored Ritter’s long record at the station and emphasized the trust he has built with New York viewers. She also confirmed that he will not be leaving ABC7 completely. Instead, Ritter will shift into a reporting role centered on Alzheimer’s, similar conditions and the support systems available to families.

Ritter arrived at WABC-TV in 1998 after earlier work in newspapers and television, including the Los Angeles Times, local stations in California and ABC News network programs. In 1999, he moved into the 11 p.m. Eyewitness News anchor seat after Bill Beutel. He later became anchor of the 6 p.m. broadcast in 2001 and also worked for years on the 5 p.m. newscast.

His exit from daily anchoring comes as ABC7 continues to reshape its evening presence, with Liz Cho, Sade Baderinwa and Mike Marza among the station’s well-known on-air figures.

Although Ritter is stepping back from nightly duties, his role at Eyewitness News is not finished. His next work will focus on the human and financial realities of Alzheimer’s care, including the heavy cost of long-term treatment for patients and their relatives.

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