Veteran ABC7 anchor Bill Ritter made a poignant announcement during Friday's broadcast of "Eyewitness News," revealing he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
A Difficult Revelation
"My life has taken a turn," Ritter said, visibly emotional. "After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer's." He emphasized that he is in the early stages and that treatments are currently keeping symptoms at bay, but acknowledged there is no cure.
"So, unless someone finds an amazing cure and really soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor," Ritter stated. He expressed gratitude to his colleagues and viewers, noting the difficulty of sharing the news.
Family and Future Plans
Ritter shared that his family has been a source of strength. "My kids say, 'Dad, you're being so brave,'" he recounted. "But no, it's not me who's brave — it's they who are brave, as is my wife, Kathleen." Despite stepping away from anchoring, Ritter, 76, will remain at ABC7, mentoring younger journalists and continuing on-air and online reporting.
"I'm going to continue working right here at ABC7," he said. "I will continue helping the younger journalists here at 'Eyewitness News.'" He also plans to focus on reporting about Alzheimer's, a disease that claimed his father in 1998.
A Legacy of Journalism
Ritter joined ABC7 in 1998, anchoring weekends before moving to weeknight slots. He has also worked for ABC News and "20/20." On Monday, he appeared on "Good Morning America" to discuss his diagnosis, emphasizing transparency. "My job as a journalist is to speak honestly to the public," he said.
Ritter recalled noticing memory loss two years before his diagnosis, initially attributing it to his demanding schedule. After seeking medical help, he was diagnosed. "My first reaction was, I thought about my dad," he said. "And then a couple of seconds later, I was scared."
Ritter concluded his Friday broadcast with an emotional farewell: "I am going to so miss reporting the news to all of you... But for now, I wish you health and peace. And let's take care of each other."
