'Tonight will be my last': WABC's Bill Ritter reveals Alzheimer's diagnosis in raw on-air goodbye
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: For millions of New Yorkers, Bill Ritter has been a familiar face delivering the evening news for decades.
But on Friday, June 12, night, however, the veteran broadcaster shared a deeply personal announcement that transformed a routine newscast into an emotional goodbye.
Ritter revealed that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease and told viewers that the broadcast would be his final night behind the anchor desk.
A message from the legendary Bill Ritter.
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) June 13, 2026
We are praying and pulling for you my friend.
It’s been the greatest honor of my career to share the stage with you. pic.twitter.com/7Jm6VIQBcm
Bill Ritter makes emotional announcement
The longtime WABC anchor used the closing moments of 'Eyewitness News' to disclose his diagnosis and explain why he was stepping away from daily anchoring duties.
"After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer's," Ritter told viewers.
The 76-year-old journalist said doctors have classified the condition as early-stage Alzheimer's and that current treatments appear to be helping slow its progression. Still, Ritter acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the disease.
"This is called 'early stage' Alzheimer's, and they say the treatments I'm getting are keeping it at bay, at least for now," he said. "But there is no guarantee, because there's no cure yet for Alzheimer's."
Like so many of you, I was deeply saddened to learn about my friend, Bill Ritter’s, Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. I have had the privilege of knowing him, and oftentimes been interviewed by him, for over 30 years. He was and always will be for me and his audience the consummate… pic.twitter.com/BMHVcjLexm
— Bill Bratton (@CommissBratton) June 13, 2026
"So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and really soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor," he added.
Personal battle hits close to home
The diagnosis carries an especially painful dimension for Ritter. His father also suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died from the illness in 1998, the same year Ritter joined WABC.
Now facing the same condition himself, Ritter spoke candidly about the challenge of sharing the news publicly.
"It is not easy for me to say all that to you, our viewers and the people I work with," he admitted during the broadcast. Despite the diagnosis, Ritter emphasized that he is not completely leaving the station.
While stepping away from anchoring, Ritter said that he would continue working with WABC in a newly created position dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and related neurological conditions.
The role will allow him to remain involved in journalism while helping educate viewers about a disease that has affected both his family and millions of others.
