Bill Ritter Biography
Bill Ritter is a retired American journalist and former television news anchor who dedicated nearly thirty years to WABC-TV in New York City, from 1998 to 2026. He kicked off his career at the station by anchoring the weekend newscasts and then stepped into the spotlight as co-anchor of the 11 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast in September 1999, taking over from Bill Beutel. By February 2001, he was also anchoring the 6 p.m. newscast. Beyond his local news responsibilities, Ritter served as a correspondent for ABC News’ 20/20.
During his time at Eyewitness News, Ritter earned a reputation for his investigative reporting and thorough coverage of significant public issues. In the lead-up to the Iraq War, he traveled to Israel to see firsthand how Israelis and Palestinians were bracing for a potential military conflict that was brewing hundreds of miles away.
Ritter tackled a variety of pressing issues affecting New York communities. His reports delved into drug use among some Orthodox Jewish teenagers in Brooklyn and raised alarms about the increasing number of construction scaffolds dotting the city. He also prioritized fire safety and prevention, hosting the annual “Operation 7: Save A Life” special and public awareness campaign.
His reporting assignments often led to some unique experiences. Ritter once climbed the Empire State Building with a technician responsible for maintaining and replacing the broadcast antennas perched atop the iconic skyscraper. In another unforgettable moment, he underwent a prostate cancer screening live on television to highlight the importance of early detection. As part of that segment, he interviewed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had openly shared his own battle with prostate cancer.
Bill Ritter Age
As of June 2026, Bill Ritter was 76 years old when he shared his Alzheimer’s diagnosis and delivered his last regular anchor broadcast. While his exact birth date isn’t consistently found in reliable public biographies, we do know he was born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, California.
Bill Ritter Education
Bill Ritter kicked off his college journey at San Diego State University from 1968 to 1972, diving into accounting and economics. However, he didn’t finish his degree back then, as he was expelled for taking part in an anti-Vietnam War protest.
Fast forward over forty years, and Ritter made a triumphant return to academia, graduating from The New School in Manhattan in May 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. His educational path is a significant part of his life story, showcasing his comeback to university after building a successful career in journalism.
Bill Ritter Height
As for Bill Ritter’s height, there hasn’t been any reliable confirmation on that front.
Bill Ritter Family, Parents, and Siblings
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Bill Ritter faced a personal loss when his father passed away in June 1998 after battling Alzheimer’s disease—a poignant experience that took on new meaning after Ritter’s own diagnosis.
He has openly shared about his wife, children, and grandchildren, but there isn’t much detailed information available about his mother or siblings in trustworthy sources. His family has always been a crucial support system throughout his career and especially now as he navigates his diagnosis.
In his June 2026 announcement, Ritter expressed gratitude to his wife and children for their unwavering support and mentioned how becoming a grandfather has inspired him to cherish more moments with his family.
Bill Ritter First Wife
There isn’t enough reliable public information to confirm the identity of a first wife or any previous marriage for Bill Ritter. The marriage that’s publicly acknowledged is to Kathleen Friery.
Bill Ritter ABC News
Bill Ritter kicked off his journalism journey in print back in 1972, starting out as a reporter and editor before making the leap to television news. He went on to work at KNSD-TV in San Diego and KTTV-TV in Los Angeles, where he tackled everything from investigative reporting to covering major news stories.
In 1993, Ritter joined the ranks of ABC News and became one of the founding co-hosts of Good Morning America/Sunday. He later took on the role of correspondent for 20/20, diving into significant investigations and national stories.
By June 1998, Ritter made his way to WABC-TV in New York City, where he initially anchored weekend newscasts while still contributing to ABC News. He stepped into the role of the station’s 11 p.m. anchor in 1999 and took over the 6 p.m. newscast in February 2001. Throughout his career, he reported on major criminal cases, public safety matters, political happenings, and breaking news.
His dedication to investigative journalism and public service has not gone unnoticed. One of his standout initiatives was Operation 7: Save a Life, a fire-safety awareness campaign that earned him an Excellence in Broadcasting Award from the New York State Broadcasters Association.
Is Bill Ritter Retiring?
Bill Ritter stepped back from his daily anchoring role at WABC-TV in June 2026 after being diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. His last regular broadcast as an anchor took place on June 12, 2026, where he shared the news of his diagnosis with his viewers.
But don’t think he’s completely stepping away from journalism! Ritter has expressed his intention to keep working with ABC7 on special reports, mentor up-and-coming journalists, and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and related issues. The station has also confirmed that he will still be part of their reporting team.
Bill Ritter and Alzheimer’s Disease
Bill Ritter made a heartfelt announcement during his June 12, 2026, broadcast, sharing that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. He explained that a series of medical tests led to this diagnosis and mentioned that while there’s no cure for the disease, treatment is helping him manage it.
In reports about his journey, Ritter revealed that he first started having trouble remembering names. His wife, Kathleen Friery, also noticed some changes in his memory. After some initial assessments and additional testing, doctors confirmed the diagnosis in late 2025.
This diagnosis hits close to home for Ritter, as his father passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 1998. He has been a strong advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness for many years and has expressed his commitment to continue this important work.
In October 2026, WABC-TV aired his special report, Living with Alzheimer’s, where he explored new research, treatment breakthroughs, and the stories of families living with the condition. He has also collaborated with the station to promote public awareness, educate about brain health, and improve access to resources for caregivers.
Bill Ritter Announcement
Bill Ritter made a heartfelt announcement on June 12, 2026, revealing to viewers that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, which means he will step back from anchoring the regular 6 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast. He candidly shared his diagnosis, expressing gratitude to his colleagues and family while reflecting on his extensive career at WABC-TV.
Ritter emphasized his desire to continue reporting on stories that shed light on Alzheimer’s disease, its effects on families, the financial burden of care, and the latest advancements in research and treatment. Instead of fading away from the screen, he intends to stay engaged in journalism and public education.
His announcement garnered significant attention, as he has been a beloved figure in New York television for many years. It also reignited interest in his advocacy efforts and highlighted the crucial need to support individuals living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Bill Ritter Wife
Bill Ritter is happily married to Kathleen Friery, who has been his rock throughout his journalism journey and especially during his battle with Alzheimer’s. In various interviews discussing his diagnosis, the couple shared that the early signs of memory changes were quite subtle, but they eventually prompted them to seek additional medical advice.
Bill Ritter Children
When it comes to family, Bill Ritter has three children, as he has mentioned in public discussions. He has an eldest daughter, a son, and a younger daughter. In his announcement back in June 2026, he proudly shared that he became a grandfather the year before, thanks to his eldest daughter, and that his son was expecting another little one later in 2026. He also highlighted that his youngest daughter is getting ready to graduate from high school soon.
Bill Ritter Net Worth
As for Bill Ritter’s net worth, the exact figure hasn’t been reliably revealed in any public financial documents.
