Veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour has announced that she will leave CNN in June 2027, bringing her 43-year career with the international news network to a close.
The 68-year-old broadcaster, who serves as CNN’s chief international anchor, revealed her decision on Monday, saying she had spent months considering the next stage of her career.
“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 a statement.
She added that she was looking forward to new professional opportunities while remaining supportive of the network and its commitment to independent journalism.
Amanpour, whose reporting has made her one of the most recognised faces in international news, also shared a message about the principles she believes should guide journalists.
“Remember: always be truthful, not neutral,” she said.
The journalist has hosted her own nightly interview programme on CNN International since 2009, interviewing influential figures and examining major political and international developments.
She reduced her presenting schedule in January 2025, moving to a few days each week. From January 2027, her programme will air once a week before ending in May. She will continue reporting for CNN and travelling internationally until her departure in June.
CNN chairman Mark Thompson informed colleagues of her decision in a memo on Monday morning. He said he had been discussing the matter with Amanpour for several months and respected her choice to move on.
“Christiane has thought carefully about this decision, and she and I have been discussing it for some months,” Thompson wrote. “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 praised her contribution to journalism, describing her as “one of the most trusted and beloved journalists anywhere”. He also said CNN would take time to recognise her achievements before she leaves next year.
“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,” he wrote.
In her announcement, Amanpour also paid tribute to the colleagues who had worked alongside her throughout her career, particularly the teams responsible for her programmes and field reporting.
She recalled covering conflicts and humanitarian crises across several continents, 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 added that their shared commitment to uncovering facts and reporting on human experiences had remained central to their work.
“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.”
Beyond CNN, Christiane Amanpour has also presented Amanpour & Company on PBS. That programme is scheduled to end in December, according to the announcement.
She will continue working on her podcast, The Ex Files, which she produces with her former husband, Jamie Rubin, through Global.
Her departure will mark the end of a long association with CNN, during which she reported on wars, political upheavals and major international events. Her career has centred on bringing audiences closer to developments around the world through interviews, field reports and investigations.
Although she plans to leave CNN next June, Amanpour has indicated that she remains interested in pursuing new projects. Her continued involvement in podcasting also suggests that her departure from the network will not necessarily mean an end to her work in journalism.
What do you consider Christiane Amanpour’s most significant contribution to international journalism over her 43 years at CNN?
