CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, 58, signed off from her final broadcast with the network on Sunday after more than a decade on air and just five months after she lost her husband to pancreatic cancer.
In an emotional farewell, Camerota reflected on her remarkable journey with the channel which she said had included ‘interviews with presidents, heroes, and extraordinary individuals’.
Camerota said experiencing such moments while working for CNN had been the culmination of her lifelong dreams in journalism.
‘The journalists at CNN are the very best in the business,’ Camerota told viewers as she expressed her deep gratitude for the opportunities and camaraderie she experienced at the network.
‘It’s been an honor to be in your homes this past decade through some of the biggest stories of our lifetimes.’
Camerota joined the network in 2014 after a 16-year stint at Fox News. She hosted its morning show for years alongside Chris Cuomo before moving to afternoons in 2021.
After Warner Bros. Discovery took control of CNN, Camerota found herself in various positions at the network, including as the network’s 11pm host before she became a political commentator and fill-in anchor with the network.
Last month it was revealed how the ratings-challenged network is reportedly set for a major bloodbath with highest paid on-air talent at risk as part of wide-ranging layoffs.
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The cable network fell behind rivals MSNBC and Fox News during Election Night coverage.
It was reported how the ‘layoffs that will impact hundreds of employees across the organization,’ according to Puck News.
Earlier this year, CNN already laid off about 100 employees — or 3 perecent of its workforce.
Stars including Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer have reportedly been denied raises on their multi-million-dollar salaries as the biggest names on the network fear for their futures.
On-screen favorite Chris Wallace also departed the network last month, although he insisted that he did so on his own terms.
A longtime CNN employee told Fox News that after news of the layoffs spread, staff across the company are left feeling ‘very sad and deeply frustrated.’
‘Feelings which are pervasive throughout the organization among those who have been here a long time and feel a deep personal connection to having helped build the organization,’ the anonymous staffer added.
During her Sunday sign off, Camerota acknowledged viewers some of whom have credited her work with helping them navigate challenging times. She encouraged them to stay connected through her Instagram for updates on her next chapter.
She concluded her message by thanking her colleagues for the laughter, lessons, and shared passion for the power of journalism.
‘To my dear friends at CNN, thank you for all of the laughs that we’ve shared, all you’ve taught me about the power of journalism, and for making my time here so deeply rewarding.’
While details of her next venture remain under wraps, Camerota’s departure marks the end of an era at CNN with the network due to embark on another round of layoffs under CEO Mark Thompson.
‘Alisyn is a rare talent with the ability to interview world leaders and everyday heroes with both strength and empathy,’ Thompson said.
‘She’s been a wonderful colleague at CNN for more than a decade, and we will be cheering her on in her new pursuits where she will surely find much success.’
In July, Camerota disclosed how her husband of nearly 23 years, Tim Lewis, died after a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
‘I cannot imagine any human being soldiering through a devastating diagnosis with more humor, humility and bravery than Tim,’ she wrote on Instagram at the time.
‘He was a phenomenal father, husband, friend and role model and the rest of us are left trying to follow in his footsteps.
Her post went on to detail her late-husband’s courageous battle following his diagnosis two years ago.
‘I cannot imagine any human being soldiering through a devastating diagnosis with more humor, humility and bravery than Tim,’ the post reads.
The couple, both 58, shared three children together, twins, Alessandra and Francesca, 19 and Nathaniel, 17.
‘The kids and I are still getting our bearings,’ she shared, adding, ‘Tim imbued us with a lot of strength and stability and we’re determined to try to emulate those qualities.
‘He was a phenomenal father, husband, friend and role model and the rest of us are left trying to follow in his footsteps,’ Camerota’s post continued.
In her husband’s honor the anchor set up ‘The Tim Lewis Foundation’ with the goal to help other people and families struggling with the ‘particularly challenging’ diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Camerota closed her post with: ‘I feel incredibly lucky to have had such a deep, committed, loving partnership for the time we had.’
