Los Angeles’ KABC7 is losing Ellen Leyva, as the news anchor is retiring from the ABC affiliate after 29 years.
The on-air personality made the news official Monday, addressing viewers during the local 3 p.m. broadcast.
“After much contemplation and introspection, I know I’m ready to make a move on and focus on my next great adventure in life,” Leyva said on air.
Leyva called ABC7 her “home away from home,” adding, “I could not have asked for a more rewarding career with the best people in the best city in the world.”
The decision to leave was something Leyva said she had “been thinking about for a long time” and is “truly excited for what’s next.”
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Leyva noted that she would continue at KABC “for a few more months,” adding, “I’m looking forward to finding as many opportunities to say goodbye to as many of you as possible. I just want to thank you for welcoming me into your living rooms since 1995.”
KABC president and general manager Wendy Granato emailed staff today informing them of Leyva’s decision to leave.
“To say that she has been an invaluable and truly treasured member of our Eyewitness News team is an understatement,” Granato said in the memo.
She continued, “A mainstay in people’s living rooms each night, she is easily one of the most loved and trusted news anchors in Southern California, and I know she will be missed.”
Here’s Levya’s full message to viewers:
“Now, for some personal, bittersweet news for me. I have been at KABC for almost 3 decades, and I have been so fortunate! This station, everyone who works here and all of you are truly my home away from home. I could not have asked for a more rewarding career with the best people in the best city in the world. But, after much contemplation and introspection, I know I’m ready to make a move on and focus on my next great adventure in life. While this isn’t easy, it is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, and I am truly excited for what’s next. I’ll be here for a few more months, so you aren’t getting rid of me just yet. And of course, I’m looking forward to finding as many opportunities to say goodbye to as many of you as possible. I just want to thank you for welcoming me into your living rooms since 1995.”
Here’s Granato’s email to staff:
Team –
I have some bittersweet news to share with you. After 29 incredible years, our beloved Ellen Leyva has decided to retire. This is news Ellen will be sharing with our viewers in her newscasts today, starting with the 3 p.m.
To say that she has been an invaluable and truly treasured member of our Eyewitness News team is an understatement. She joined the KABC family in 1995 as a health reporter before quickly making her way up to the anchor desk. Her reporting has taken her to the greatest heights – flying with the Blue Angels, co-hosting the Oscars red carpet arrivals with the great Roger Ebert, and standing in the OR with Dr. Oz as he performed a double-bypass, just to name a few. Ellen was inducted into the Walter Cronkite School of Broadcast Journalism’s Hall of Fame in 2006 and is the recipient of an Impact Award for Excellence in Television from the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Her contributions to the community are endless. Most notably, serving as ABC7 team leader for AIDS Walk Los Angeles, being front and center of our Pride Parade, advocating for mental health services for underserved communities, and championing to help rescue dogs find their forever homes.
But of course, viewers know her best as the long running co-anchor of our late afternoon and evening newscasts. A mainstay in people’s living rooms each night, she is easily one of the most loved and trusted news anchors in Southern California, and I know she will be missed.
There is so much more to say about her many accomplishments, but Ellen isn’t leaving anytime soon so trust me when I say we will find many opportunities over the next few months to celebrate and honor her.
Again, I can’t say enough about what a pro Ellen is and how much I have enjoyed working with her in the time I’ve been here. And, while this is sad news for us, I know how excited she is to embrace life’s next big adventure. And for that, I’m thrilled for her and wish her Stephen, Charli, Emma and Aubrey much love, laughter and happiness.
Best, Wendy
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