The most famous CNN star leaves the post after 43 years. "Always be sincere, not neutral"

The most famous CNN star is leaving after 43 years. "Always be honest, not neutral" Christiane Amanpour, who transformed a position as assistant in the CNN foreign news editorial into a long-term journalistic mission that took her around the world for this news giant, intends to leave the American mass media company in June 2027, according to Variety magazine, obtained by Agerpres. "After many months of reflection and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to leave CNN, my fantastic partner of 43 years!", Christiane Amanpour stated in a press release published on Monday. "I eagerly await new interesting projects in the future and will always support CNN, contributing to the maintenance of its tradition of independent journalism. Don't forget: always be honest, not neutral", she added. The departure of journalist Christiane Amanpour was announced at a time when CNN was coming under the control of a new owner, Skydance, a company facing multi-billion dollar debts and the perception that it might want to steer the news division towards a certain view of politics and other matters. In May 2026, Christiane Amanpour stated during an event that she was "worried" about the way Skydance is managing CBS News, which sparked major controversies after appointing a digital entrepreneur with provocative opinions, Bari Weiss, as editor-in-chief. "I am not sure how much I am allowed to say about a corporate matter in progress, but as a person and a journalist with a distinguished experience, I am, in fact, worried", she stated at that time. Christiane Amanpour, aged 68, presented an evening show for the international channel of the CNN group, as well as a show for PBS titled "Amanpour & Company", starting in 2017. She briefly left CNN for an unhappy experience at ABC News, where she was appointed as moderator of the Sunday show "The Week" in 2010. Low audiences undermined her efforts there, and she returned to CNN in 2012. "Christiane analyzed this decision carefully, we discussed it together for several months", stated Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN, in a statement. "Just like many of the colleagues at CNN who will learn this news today, I am very sorry that she is leaving, but I have come to accept that this is the right time for her, both personally and professionally", he added. CNN has many journalists, correspondents, and presenters, but few of them are as closely tied to the general brand of this media company as Christiane Amanpour. Probably only Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper enjoy a similar status among the current staff. After obtaining a correspondent position in Eastern Europe in 1986, the American journalist also built a good professional reputation reporting on the conflicts in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Between 1992 and 2010, she worked as CNN's main international correspondent. "I will end the daily shows from CNN and PBS at the end of this year, and will continue with a weekly show on CNN until May 2027 and take care of ensuring a smooth transition during the month of June", Christiane Amanpour conveyed in her statement on Monday. She specified that she intends to continue working on an independent podcast, "Ex-Files", which she produces with her ex-husband, Jamie Rubin, a former official in the US Department of State.