Christiane Amanpour to Exit CNN in June After 43 Years

Christiane Amanpour, who parlayed a job as a news assistant on CNN‘s foreign desk into a years-long globe-trotting assignment for the news giant, plans to step away from the media company in June.

via: Deadline

The network’s chief international anchor on Monday wrote in a memo to staffers, “After many months of thought and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years!”

She added, “From my very first big exciting assignment covering the First Gulf War, to the horrors of the Bosnian War, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iran and all the points in between, it’s the teams and the camaraderie that counted so much, as we together battled 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.” (Read her full memo below.)

Amanpour also said that she would end her PBS show, Amanpour & Company, by the end of this year, along with her daily CNN International series. She will maintain a weekly CNN show through May, she said, and will continue to do a podcast, The Ex Files, a Global production.

Mark Thompson, chairman and editor in chief of CNN, wrote in his own memo, “Christiane has thought carefully about this decision, and she and I have been discussing it for some months. Like so many CNNers who will hear the news today, I’m very sorry to see her go, but I’ve come to accept that this is the right time for her, both personally and professionally.” (Read his full memo below.)

Amanpour’s departure comes amid the closing earlier this month of Skydance Paramount’s deal to acquire CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros Discovery. Thompson is remaining in place as leader of the news network, while Skydance CEO David Ellison has promised editorial independence.

Amanpour has been outspoken about coverage of Donald Trump. In 2023, she publicly criticized the network’s town hall with Trump as he was campaigning for a return to the White House. Amanpour said that she shared her views with then-CEO Chris Licht. In her note to staffers on Monday, she wrote, “Remember: always be truthful, not neutral.”

Amanpour, based in the network’s London bureau, started as an entry level assistant on the CNN international assignment desk in Atlanta. As international correspondent, she reported on numerous wars and conflicts, including the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, as well as the war in Bosnia. She has interviewed many world leaders at key moments, including Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s final interview and a sitdown with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Her daily CNN show Amanpour was launched in 2009. She left CNN in 2010 to host ABC News’ This Week, but that stint was short lived and she returned to the network the following year.

Here is Amanpour’s complete memo:

“After many months of thought and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years!

I will end my daily shows across CNN and PBS at the end of this year, while continuing to maintain a weekly show on CNN through May and working on a smooth transition through June.

I want to thank all the amazingly talented people I’ve worked with throughout this incredible journey. Especially my beloved show teams and field crews.

From my very first big exciting assignment covering the First Gulf War, to the horrors of the Bosnian War, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iran and all the points in between, it’s the teams and the camaraderie that counted so much, as we together battled 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.

I will be continuing my successful podcast the Ex-Files with Global and look forward to interesting new projects down the line, and will always be rooting for CNN and maintaining its history of independent journalism. Remember: always be truthful, not neutral.”

Here is Thompson’s note to staffers:

Dear all,

I’m writing today with news about a CNN icon – and our dear friend and colleague – Christiane Amanpour.

After more than 43 years at CNN, Christiane has decided that the time is right to begin a new chapter. Early in 2027, she will scale back her CNN International show, Amanpour, to once a week. The program will conclude in May, and she will leave CNN at the end of June.

Christiane has thought carefully about this decision, and she and I have been discussing it for some months. Like so many CNNers who will hear the news today, I’m very sorry to see her go, but I’ve come to accept that this is the right time for her, both personally and professionally.

Christiane has been a household name around the world for decades. Yet she began more than 40 years ago not as one of the biggest stars in CNN’s history, but as a news desk assistant in our Atlanta newsroom. Famously, one of her bosses told her back then that she didn’t have what it took to become a foreign correspondent – or to hold any on-air role at all. Boy, did she prove him wrong!

It would be impossible to list all of her reporting triumphs, exclusive interviews, awards and broadcasting firsts, or the many other accomplishments that have made her one of the most trusted and beloved journalists anywhere. We will make sure to share and celebrate them all before she departs next year.

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.

Mark