Veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour will leave CNN in June 2027, ending a 43-year association with the international news network after months of deliberation about her professional future.
The 68-year-old chief international anchor announced her decision on Monday, describing CNN as her partner for 43 “fantastic years” and expressing readiness to explore new opportunities.
“After many months of thought and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years!” she said in a statement.
Amanpour said she remained supportive of the network and its commitment to independent journalism. She also shared a message on the principles she believes should guide the profession, saying, “Remember: always be truthful, not neutral.”
She has hosted her nightly interview programme on CNN International since 2009, interviewing prominent personalities and examining major political and international developments.
Her presenting schedule was reduced in January 2025, when she moved to a few days each week. From January 2027, the programme will air weekly before concluding in May. Amanpour will continue reporting for CNN and travelling internationally until her departure the following month.
CNN chairman Mark Thompson informed staff of her decision in a memo on Monday morning. He said he and Amanpour had discussed the matter for several months and that he respected her decision to move on.
“Christiane has thought carefully about this decision, and she and I have been discussing it for some months,” Thompson wrote.
He added that although he was sorry to see her leave, he had accepted that the timing was right for her personally and professionally.
Thompson praised Amanpour’s standing in the profession, describing her as “one of the most trusted and beloved journalists anywhere”. He said CNN would take time to celebrate her achievements before her exit in 2027.
“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 her announcement, Amanpour also acknowledged the colleagues who had worked with her throughout her career, particularly the teams behind her programmes and field assignments.
She recalled reporting on conflicts and humanitarian crises across the world, including the First Gulf War, the Bosnian War, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iran.
“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,” she said.
She credited their shared efforts to establish facts and highlight the human impact of events as a central part of their work.
Amanpour said the teams had worked together to seek “the facts, the evidence and the humanity” so CNN could report the truth about the world without fear or favour.
Amanpour’s departure will conclude a lengthy career with CNN, during which she covered wars, political upheavals and major international events through field reporting, interviews and investigations.
Although she is leaving the network next June, she has indicated that she intends to pursue new professional opportunities. Her continued work on the podcast will also keep her involved in journalism beyond her CNN tenure.
