Christiane Amanpour to leave CNN after 43 years
Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international anchor, will leave the network at the end of June 2027 after more than 43 years of service, according to a memo from CNN chief executive Mark Thompson obtained by NBC News and reported on Oct. 19, 2026.
Amanpour, 68, will scale back her eponymous CNN International program to a weekly schedule early in 2027, with the show slated to conclude in May before her departure. Thompson’s letter said, “After more than 43 years at CNN, Christiane has decided that the time is right to begin a new chapter.”
In a brief statement released to staff, Amanpour said she had spent “many months of thought and a few sleepless nights” before deciding to “separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years.” She added that she looks forward to “interesting new projects down the line” and will continue to root for CNN’s legacy of independent journalism.
The announcement comes weeks after Paramount Skydance completed its purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN. Media outlets noted that the timing sparked speculation about possible philosophical differences with the network’s new ownership, though no official reason beyond Amanpour’s own remarks was provided.
During her tenure, Amanpour has become a globally recognized journalist, covering conflicts in Bosnia, Rwanda, Ukraine, Iran and Afghanistan, and hosting the nightly interview show bearing her name on CNN International since 2009. Her departure marks the end of an era for the network’s foreign‑news coverage.
Thompson told staff that the company will celebrate Amanpour’s contributions before her exit, describing her as “one of the most trusted and beloved journalists anywhere.” The memo indicated that the network plans a series of tributes in the weeks leading up to her final day.
As the newsroom prepares for the transition, senior editors said they will look to other correspondents to fill the gap in international reporting while the network evaluates its programming strategy under the new corporate structure.
