Bill Ritter Biography
Bill Ritter is an American television journalist best known for his long career with ABC7 New York’s Eyewitness News. Born as William Sheldon Ritter on February 26, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, he built a respected reputation in broadcast journalism over several decades. He became a familiar face to viewers through his work as a news anchor and correspondent.
Ritter began his journalism journey in California. Early in his career, he worked in print journalism before moving into television news. He later joined ABC News and gained national recognition through reporting assignments and appearances on programs such as 20/20. In 1998, he joined ABC7 New York and quickly became one of the station’s leading anchors. He anchored the 11 p.m. newscast beginning in 1999 and added the 6 p.m. broadcast in 2001.
His educational path was unusual. In 1972, San Diego State University expelled him during protests against the Vietnam War. However, he returned to complete his education decades later. In 2016, Ritter earned his college degree from The New School, fulfilling a goal he had postponed for more than 40 years.
Throughout his career, Bill Ritter earned multiple Emmy Awards and covered major national and international stories. His reporting focused on investigative journalism, public affairs, and breaking news.
In June 2026, Ritter announced that he was stepping away from daily anchoring after revealing an early-stage Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Nevertheless, he plans to continue reporting and raising awareness about the disease. His dedication to journalism has made him one of New York television’s most respected news figures.
Bill Ritter Age
How Old Is Bill Ritter?
Bill Ritter is 76 years old as of 2026. He was born on February 26, 1950, in Los Angeles, California. Earlier this year, ABC7 New York celebrated his 76th birthday with colleagues and staff members. Throughout his career, Bill has earned recognition as a respected television journalist and news anchor. He joined ABC7 New York in 1998 and later became a key figure on Eyewitness News. Moreover, his reporting and anchoring work helped build a strong reputation in broadcast journalism.
Bill Ritter Height
How Tall Is Bill Ritter?
Bill Ritter stands approximately 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall. Throughout his television career, Bill Ritter’s professional presence and on-air confidence have made him a recognizable figure in broadcast journalism. He joined ABC7 New York in 1998 and later became one of the station’s leading news anchors. His height, experience, and commanding delivery contributed to his strong television presence.
Bill Ritter Wife
Is Bill Ritter still married?
Bill Ritter is married to Kathleen Friery, his current wife, and longtime partner. She has supported his career as a respected ABC7 New York news anchor while maintaining a private life away from the media spotlight. The couple shares one child together and focuses on raising their family in a stable environment. Previously, Ritter was married to journalist Janny Scott, and they share two children from that marriage. However, they both continued co-parenting after their separation and maintained a respectful family structure. Today, Bill and Kathleen Friery enjoy a quiet and private marriage, balancing family responsibilities with Ritter’s demanding journalism career at ABC7 New York.
Bill Ritter’s First Wife
Bill Ritter’s first wife was journalist Janny Scott. She worked in journalism and later became a respected author and reporter. Moreover, the couple built a family together during their early careers in media. Bill and Janny Scott share two children. However, their marriage eventually ended in divorce after several years together. Despite the separation, they maintained a respectful co-parenting relationship for their children. In addition, Ritter continued his journalism career at ABC News and ABC7 New York during and after the marriage. His first marriage to Janny Scott remains an important part of his personal history.
Bill Ritter Children
Bill Ritter is the father of three children. He shares two children with his ex-wife, Janny Scott, and one child with his current wife, Kathleen Friery. His children include Mia Ritter, Owen Ritter, and Ella Ritter. He keeps their lives private and avoids media attention around them. Although he works in high-profile broadcast journalism at ABC7 New York, he maintains strong boundaries around family life. Moreover, he balances newsroom responsibilities with fatherhood. His children, Mia, Owen, and Ella, remain central to his personal life. Therefore, he continues to prioritize family stability alongside his long journalism career.
Bill Ritter Education
Bill Ritter attended San Diego State University in California. He studied journalism and communication, which helped shape his early career path. Moreover, he developed a strong interest in reporting during his university years. However, his education was interrupted during the Vietnam War protest period. Later, he returned to complete his academic journey after several years. In addition, he earned his degree from The New School in 2016, fulfilling a long-delayed educational goal. His education at San Diego State University and The New School built a strong foundation for his journalism career. Therefore, he advanced into broadcast journalism and became a respected ABC7 New York news anchor.
Bill Ritter’s Religion
Bill Ritter is Jewish and has publicly discussed his Jewish heritage. He has acknowledged his cultural and religious background in interviews and public reflections. Moreover, he connects his identity to family history and personal values. Throughout his journalism career, Bill has balanced his professional life with openness about his Jewish roots. However, he does not often focus on religion in his reporting. Instead, he emphasizes ethics, truth, and responsibility in journalism at ABC7 New York. Therefore, his Jewish heritage remains an important part of his personal identity. In addition, he continues to maintain a professional focus on news coverage while respecting his cultural background.
Bill Ritter Career: ABC7 New York News Anchor Journalism Journey
Is Bill Ritter retiring?
Bill Ritter built a long and respected career in broadcast journalism. He began in print journalism before moving into television reporting. Moreover, he worked for ABC News and gained national exposure through programs like 20/20. Later, Bill Ritter joined ABC7 New York in 1998 and became a key part of Eyewitness News. He anchored the 11 p.m. newscast and later added the 6 p.m. edition. In addition, he covered major breaking news stories, investigative reports, and international events.
Throughout his career, he earned recognition for accuracy and professionalism. Moreover, he won multiple Emmy Awards for his journalism work. He also built a strong reputation as a trusted news anchor in New York. In 2026, Ritter stepped back from daily anchoring after revealing an early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis. However, he continues contributing through special projects. His career reflects decades of commitment to credible and impactful journalism.
Bill Ritter’s Career Timeline
| Year | Role / Position | Organization | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Career | Print Journalist | Various outlets | Started journalism in print media before TV transition |
| 1980s–1990s | Reporter / Correspondent | ABC News | Gained national recognition covering major news stories |
| 1990s | TV Correspondent | 20/20 (ABC News) | Reported for the investigative news program |
| 1998 | News Anchor | ABC7 New York (WABC-TV) | Joined Eyewitness News team |
| 1999 | 11 PM Anchor | ABC7 New York | Became anchor of late-night newscast |
| 2001 | Evening Anchor | ABC7 New York | Added 6 PM newscast duties |
| 2000s–2020s | Senior Anchor / Reporter | ABC7 New York | Covered breaking news, investigations, and major events |
| 2016 | Graduate (Degree Completion) | The New School | Completed delayed academic degree |
| 2026 | Reduced On-Air Role | ABC7 New York | Stepped back after early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis |
Bill Ritter Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Bill publicly revealed an early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2026. He shared the update while stepping back from daily anchoring at ABC7 New York. Moreover, he chose transparency to inform viewers and colleagues about his health condition. Following the announcement, Bill Ritter reduced his on-air responsibilities but did not fully retire from journalism. Instead, he planned to continue contributing through special projects and occasional reporting. In addition, he focused on raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. His decision received strong support from colleagues and viewers. Moreover, Ritter continues to inspire many through his openness about Alzheimer’s diagnosis and career transition. Therefore, his legacy in broadcast journalism remains strong despite health challenges.
Bill Ritter’s Awards & Emmy Wins
Bill Ritter has received several awards during his journalism career. He built recognition through decades of reporting at ABC7 New York. Moreover, he earned respect for accuracy, investigative work, and breaking news coverage. Throughout his career, Bill won multiple Emmy Awards for broadcast journalism excellence. In addition, he received industry recognition for both anchoring and field reporting. His work at ABC News and ABC7 strengthened his professional reputation.
Bill Ritter’s major awards include:
- Multiple Emmy Awards for news reporting and anchoring
- Recognition for investigative journalism excellence
- Honors for breaking news coverage and live reporting
Moreover, these awards highlight his long commitment to quality journalism. Therefore, Ritter remains one of the most respected ABC7 New York news anchors.
Bill Ritter Salary
Bill Ritter earns an estimated salary ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 annually at ABC7 New York. Moreover, his long tenure in broadcast journalism influences his overall compensation. At ABC7, Bill Ritter salary reflects his role as a senior news anchor and reporter. In addition, he earns income through decades of experience in television journalism. Therefore, his earnings align with industry standards for major market anchors. He remains a highly respected and well-established ABC7 New York journalist.
Bill Ritter Net Worth
Bill Ritter is estimated to have a net worth of between $3 million and $5 million. Hs long-standing career at ABC7 New York remains the main source of his wealth. Over the years, Bill’s net worth has grown through decades of journalism experience. In addition, he has earned from anchoring major news broadcasts and reporting assignments. Therefore, his financial standing reflects success in a major U.S. media market. He continues to hold a respected position in broadcast journalism today.
