Christiane Amanpour Plans CNN Exit After 43 Years

Christiane Amanpour, CNN's chief international anchor, will leave the network at the end of June 2027 after 43 years covering wars, political upheaval and international affairs. The 68-year-old journalist announced her decision on October 19, 2026, ending a career that began in 1983 and made her one of the network's most recognizable correspondents.

According to CNN and The Guardian, Amanpour will end her nightly interview program, Amanpour, in May 2027 before departing the network the following month. She will continue reporting and traveling for CNN until June, while her program transitions to a weekly schedule beginning in January 2027.

Amanpour explained that her departure followed extensive personal consideration rather than a sudden decision.

"After many months of thought and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years!" Amanpour said in her statement.

She also expressed appreciation for her colleagues and signaled plans to pursue other professional opportunities after leaving the network.

"I 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," Amanpour said.

Her departure comes as CNN operates under new ownership following its acquisition by Skydance Media, led by David Ellison and backed by his father, Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder. The Guardian reported that Amanpour's decision was not believed to be specifically connected to the ownership change, although some CNN journalists have expressed concerns about the company's perceived proximity to the Trump administration.

In a recorded message to viewers of CNN International, Amanpour emphasized her commitment to editorial independence amid political and commercial pressures.

"You know that I've always been fiercely independent, and I will continue to be that for you for as long as I am here and beyond. That's especially important today as we face unprecedented pressures from all sides – political, financial, and also from the rising dangers in the field," Amanpour said.

Her career at CNN began in 1983, when she joined the international assignment desk as an assistant. She subsequently became a prominent foreign correspondent, reporting from major conflict zones and covering events that shaped international affairs.

In her farewell statement, Amanpour highlighted assignments spanning several decades, including the First Gulf War, the Bosnian War, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iran. She credited the colleagues who worked alongside her for helping deliver reporting grounded in evidence and humanity.

"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," Amanpour said.

She continued by describing the shared commitment that shaped her reporting throughout her time at CNN.

"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," Amanpour said.

In a memo to employees, CNN chairman and CEO Mark Thompson praised Amanpour's contributions and said the network would recognize her achievements before her departure. Thompson said he and Amanpour had discussed the decision for several months and acknowledged that the timing was appropriate for her personally and professionally.

"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," Thompson wrote.

Thompson also thanked Amanpour on behalf of CNN's leadership team for her decades of reporting, dedication and professional relationships. He described her as one of the world's most trusted and beloved journalists.

"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," Thompson wrote.

Amanpour has also hosted Amanpour & Company for PBS, a separate program scheduled to conclude in December 2026. She has been open about receiving treatment for ovarian cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2021, according to The Guardian.

After leaving CNN, Amanpour plans to continue her podcast, The Ex Files, which she co-hosts with her former husband, Jamie Rubin, and to explore new projects beyond the network.