Christiane Amanpour to leave CNN after 43 years

CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour announced she will leave the network next year after 43 years of work. The 68-year-old journalist began her career at CNN in 1983 and became one of the network's best-known correspondents. CNN chairman Mark Thompson called her one of the most trusted journalists and said the network plans to honor her before her departure.

tafs uz editorial deskFirst published on tafs uz 19 October 2026 at 22:072 min readAI translation

The key facts

Christiane Amanpour will leave CNN next year after 43 years of work
She began her career at the network in 1983 as an assistant in the international news desk
CNN chairman Mark Thompson called her decision thoughtful and timely

Amanpour announces departure from CNN

CNN's chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour announced that she will leave the network next year after more than four decades of work. 'After many months of reflection and several sleepless nights, I have decided to part ways with CNN — my partner of 43 fantastic years,' the 68-year-old journalist said in a statement. She added that she 'looks forward to exciting new projects in the future' and will always support CNN and its tradition of independent journalism, reminding: 'always be truthful, not neutral.'

Network leadership's reaction

CNN chairman Mark Thompson called Amanpour 'one of the most trusted and beloved journalists anywhere' and said the network will take time to honor her 'before her departure next year.' In a memo to staff, he wrote that Amanpour had carefully considered the decision and that he had discussed it with her for several months. 'Like so many CNN colleagues learning this news today, I am very sorry that she is leaving, but I have accepted that this is the right time for her — both personally and professionally,' Thompson noted, thanking her on behalf of the leadership for '43 extraordinary years of outstanding journalism, dedication and friendship.'

Career at CNN

Amanpour joined CNN in 1983 as an assistant in the international news desk and became one of the network's best-known correspondents, frequently covering conflicts and wars. Since 2009, she has hosted her own evening interview program on CNN International. In her statement, she recalled 'the first big exciting assignment — covering the First Persian Gulf War,' as well as 'the horrors of the Bosnian war, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iran and everything in between.' 'What mattered most were the teams and the camaraderie,' she said, 'as we fought together for facts, evidence and humanity, so that CNN always broadcast the truth about the world and to the world, without fear and without favor.' She also thanked 'all the amazingly talented people I worked with on this incredible journey,' especially her camera crews and field teams.