NY Anchor Bill Ritter Reveals Alzheimer's, Stays to Help

After 26 years behind New York's WABC-TV anchor desk, Bill Ritter signed off Friday night with news that took courage to share: he has early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

The 76-year-old veteran journalist told viewers during his final Eyewitness News broadcast that doctors say treatments are keeping the disease at bay for now. But without a cure, he knew it was time to step away from daily anchoring.

Ritter joined WABC-TV in 1998 after working at the Los Angeles Times and with ABC News across California. He's anchored the station's flagship 6 p.m. newscast since 2001, becoming a trusted presence in millions of New York homes.

His announcement hit close to home in another way. Ritter's father died from Alzheimer's in 1998 after battling the illness for years.

The Ripple Effect

Here's what makes this story remarkable: Ritter isn't disappearing. He's staying with ABC7 in a new role focused on reporting about Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions.

Station General Manager Marilu Galvez praised his decision to continue sharing his journey. "He will continue to be an integral part of our ABC7 family, including sharing personal updates and providing resources to help others impacted by Alzheimer's better understand the disease," she said.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani captured why this matters beyond one newsroom. "His courage in sharing his Alzheimer's diagnosis will help countless families facing the same challenge feel less alone," Mamdani wrote.

The reaction from colleagues showed Ritter's impact over decades. Reporter Lucy Yang, who's worked alongside him for years, said he "never gave less than 110%." Chief meteorologist Lee Goldberg called him a saint and hero who preaches kindness and taking care of each other.

Now Ritter will live those values in a new way. By reporting on his own experience with Alzheimer's, he's using his platform to illuminate a disease that affects millions of American families.

His message to viewers has always been to be kind and remember we're all in this together. Through his next chapter, he'll show families navigating Alzheimer's that they truly aren't alone.