Christiane Amanpour to Depart CNN After Four-Decade Tenure
Chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour announces her departure from CNN after 43 years. Explore her legacy and upcoming exit plans for 2027.
POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — Christiane Amanpour, the veteran chief international anchor who has served as a cornerstone of CNN for over 43 years, has announced her intention to depart the network next June.
CNN leadership confirmed that the 68-year-old journalist will begin transitioning away from her daily duties early in 2027. Her signature program on CNN International is scheduled to shift to a weekly broadcast before concluding entirely in May, with her formal exit from the company set for the end of June.
Mark Thompson, who will continue to lead CNN under the new ownership of David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance, noted that he and Amanpour have been discussing this transition for several months. Thompson expressed regret over her departure but acknowledged that the timing is appropriate for both her personal and professional life.
Throughout her storied career, Amanpour has reported from the front lines of nearly every significant global crisis and conflict of the last four decades. Her coverage has spanned the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Bosnian War, the Persian Gulf War, the post-9/11 conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Arab Spring, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the war in Gaza.
Beyond her field reporting, she has conducted high-profile interviews with numerous world leaders. Her subjects have included former President Bill Clinton, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, and Iranian presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Rouhani.
In a public statement, Amanpour expressed gratitude toward the talented colleagues, show teams, and field crews she collaborated with during her tenure. She emphasized that their collective efforts were dedicated to uncovering facts and humanity so that CNN could deliver the truth to the world without fear or favor.
The announcement follows the recent acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, by Paramount Skydance. Thompson remains at the helm of the network, reporting to Skydance co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
