Tuesday, October 20, 2026

After 43 Years, Christiane Amanpour To Exit CNN


Christiane Amanpour will leave CNN in June 2027 after 43 years with the network, the cable news outlet announced Oct. 19.

The 68-year-old chief international anchor said she reached the decision after “many months of thought and a few sleepless nights.” Her daily CNN and PBS programs will end in December. She will continue hosting a weekly CNN show through May 2027 and assist with the transition through June.




“After many months of thought and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years!” Amanpour said in a statement to USA TODAY. She reflected on covering the First Gulf War, the Bosnian War, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iran and other conflicts, crediting her teams for working “to seek the facts, the evidence and the humanity, so that CNN could always broadcast the truth about the world and to the world, without fear nor favor.”

She thanked colleagues and field crews for an “incredible journey” and said she plans to continue “The Ex Files,” her podcast with ex-husband Jamie Rubin, while pursuing “interesting new projects down the line.” She closed with the line: “Remember: always be truthful, not neutral.”

Christine Amanpour
Amanpour’s interview program launched on CNN International in 2009. She reduced her hosting schedule in January 2025 to a few days a week. Beginning in January 2027, she will host only once a week until May, CNN said.

CNN Chairman Mark Thompson said he had discussed the move with Amanpour for months and accepted that the timing was right for her. “In the meantime, on behalf of the entire CNN leadership team, I want to thank Christiane for 43 extraordinary years of remarkable journalism, loyalty and friendship,” he wrote in a memo to staff.

Amanpour disclosed an ovarian cancer diagnosis in June 2021 during her CNN International program, saying she had undergone successful major surgery and was receiving chemotherapy. In October 2025, she said on a podcast that the cancer had returned but was “being very well-managed.”

Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells in or near the ovaries multiply and can spread, according to the Mayo Clinic. Early symptoms may include bloating, pelvic discomfort and feeling full quickly.
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