CNN President Jeff Zucker Resigns After Failure to Disclose Relationship with Colleague
Embattled CNN boss Jeff Zucker walked away from the liberal network on Wednesday after failing to disclose a “consensual relationship” with a CNN staffer.
Zucker, 56, announced his departure from the role in a staff memo on Wednesday. The media executive explained that the decision for him to resign was made after he failed to disclose a “consensual relationship” with a colleague.
“As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo‘s tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years,” the statement read, per CNN.
“I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today.”
Zucker did not disclose the colleague’s identity in the memo, but the network confirmed his relationship was with chief marketing officer Allison Gollust. She will continue to remain at the company.
Gollust was appointed as former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s communications director in 2012 before joining Zucker at CNN four months later.
She became close to Zucker during a 15-year tenure at NBC before joining Cuomo administration and was once even floated as a candidate to eventually replace Zucker atop the liberal network.
“I came to CNN on January 28, 2013. Together we had nine great years,” Zucker said. “I certainly wish my tenure here had ended differently. But it was an amazing run. And I loved every minute.”
Zucker added: “I am grateful to the thousands of incredibly talented CNN and Turner Sports employees who helped make this such a joy for me, and such a success for all of us. I wish each of you nothing but the best in the years ahead.”
Jason Kilar, the CEO of CNN parent WarnerMedia, said in an email to employees that he has “accepted Jeff Zucker’s resignation as Chairman of WarnerMedia News and Sports, and President of CNN Worldwide.”
Before becoming president of CNN Worldwide following Jim Walton’s tenure, Zucker served as president and CEO of NBCUniversal.
In his personal life, Zucker was married to Caryn Nathanson from 1996 to 2019. They had four children together.
CNN has been embroiled in scandal as of late. Ahead of Zucker’s resignation, Cuomo, 51, was terminated from his longtime anchor role for his involvement in defending brother Andrew Cuomo amid sexual misconduct allegations.
