The beloved TV presenter ended the segment with an emotional message to viewers watching at home.21:38, 13 Jun 2026Updated 21:52, 13 Jun 2026News anchor Bill Ritter has announced his retirement after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's.‌The ABC New York news anchor ended Friday's show with a "very personal message." He explained that after turning 75 last year, he decided to "cut back a bit" so he could spend more time with his family.‌He decided to stop anchoring the 11pm and 5pm news, but now, he plans to leave completely because his "life has taken a turn".‌"My goal was to spend more time with my family," he said to viewers. "Now, a year ago, I became a grandfather, thanks to my oldest daughter, and later this summer, I'll have a second grandchild, thanks to my son, and in a year from now, my youngest daughter will graduate high school."But spending more time with my family has now become even more important, because my life has taken a turn."‌He went on to say that "after a series of tests", his doctors confirmed he has Alzheimer's. He continued, "It's 'early stage' Alzheimer's, and they say the treatments I'm getting are keeping it at bay. For now."But there is no guarantee, because there's no cure yet for Alzheimer's. So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight (Friday) will be the last newscast I anchor."Bill reassured viewers that they will still see him "on air and online" after paying tribute to a number of his colleagues.‌"I want to say thank you to my bosses at ABC, they have treated me and my family with compassion and humanity and warmth," he emotionally added.As he reflected on what he was "going to do now", he said, "I will continue helping the young journalists at Eyewitness News. I am also going to remain a journalist at Eyewitness News, so you'll still see me on air and online because this station wants to dig deeper into 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."Content cannot be displayed without consent‌"I'm not a stranger to this disease," he shared before adding. "My dad died with it in June 1998."I have since been active in the fight to stop Alzheimer's, and I will continue doing that, along with my friend Mike Marza, who took my place, you recall, last year on Eyewitness News at 5 and 11."Mike's grandfather died from this disease, and we have MC'd together many Alzheimer's awareness events to spread the word."Article continues belowBill wrapped up the segment: "I am going to so miss reporting the news to all of you, with the truth and with facts, no matter where they fall. It has been my honor to do just that. But for now, I wish you health and peace. Let's take care of each other."