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ABC7 Anchor Bill Ritter Announces Alzheimer’s Diagnosis, Steps Down

6/16/2026

Summary

Ritter Steps Down

Bill Ritter announced on June 12, 2026 he will step away from anchoring after doctors diagnosed him with early-stage Alzheimer’s.
He said current treatments keep the disease at bay but there is no cure, making the June 12 broadcast his last as anchor.
Ritter will stay at ABC7 in a reporting and mentoring role that will examine Alzheimer’s human and financial burdens.

Summary

Marza Takes Over

ABC7 said veteran reporter Mike Marza will take over the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. “Eyewitness News” anchors from Ritter.
Ritter admitted his first reaction was fear, saying thoughts of his father scared him.
He urged viewers to seek testing for memory loss, noting many ignore early signs.
Ritter joined ABC7 in 1998, became the weekday 11 p.m. anchor in 1999 and added the 6 p.m. slot in 2001.
After cutting back to the 6 p.m. broadcast, he said he slept through the night for the first time in 25 years.

Summary

Ritter Raises Awareness

Ritter said he received hundreds of notes, emails and social-media messages after announcing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
He announced his role will be to bring people into the tent after the 9 a.m. Monday meeting.
Ritter noted Alzheimer’s does not care what your politics are, affecting all families.
He confirmed he will stay at WABC for newsroom projects and awareness, noting his father had Lewy body dementia before passing in 1998.

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Ritter Steps Down

Bill Ritter announced on June 12, 2026 he will step away from anchoring after doctors diagnosed him with early-stage Alzheimer’s.
He said current treatments keep the disease at bay but there is no cure, making the June 12 broadcast his last as anchor.
Ritter will stay at ABC7 in a reporting and mentoring role that will examine Alzheimer’s human and financial burdens.

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