Bill Ritter Says Friday Was His Last WABC Newscast

Bill Ritter said Friday was his last newscast as a WABC anchor after doctors told him he has early stage Alzheimer's. He made the announcement during Eyewitness News at 6 and said he will stay with the station in a new role covering the disease and related care issues.

Bill Ritter and WABC-TV

Ritter said, "After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer's." He added, "It's 'early stage' Alzheimer's, and they say the treatments I'm getting are keeping it at bay." He also said, "For now. But there is no guarantee, because there's no cure yet for Alzheimer's."

He told viewers, "So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight (Friday) will be the last newscast I anchor." Ritter said he will remain with Eyewitness News to cover "the rising tide of Alzheimer's, and other similar diseases, including how it's affecting patients and their families, how the price of treatment and the price of caring for patients is simply unaffordable and how this country might begin to change that."

Ritter's Years on Eyewitness News

Ritter joined WABC-TV in 1998. He started anchoring the 11 p.m. newscast on Eyewitness News in October 1999, added the 6 p.m. newscast in February 2001, and also anchored the 5 p.m. news for several years. He has anchored the 6 p.m. newscast since 2001.

He said he lost his father to Alzheimer's in 1998 and has been active in the fight against the disease for many years. Ritter also said he turned 75 last year, became a grandfather a year ago through his oldest daughter, and will have a second grandchild later this summer through his son.

Marilu Galvez Responds

WABC-TV general manager Marilu Galvez said, "For decades, Bill Ritter has covered and led New Yorkers through the stories that matter most." She said he will remain "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 and the resources available to them.

Galvez also said, "Bill is strong, brilliant, and resourceful, and we look forward to his continued reporting on Eyewitness News." Ritter said his youngest daughter will graduate high school in a year, and that spending more time with his family has become more important as his life has taken a turn.