Elizabeth Vargas to Leave ABC News After 20 Years

Elizabeth Vargas has announced her decision to leave ABC News after 20 years. The anchor joined the show after a four year run at NBC and has been a fixture ever since. She has anchored on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and 20/20.

According to ABC News President James Goldston, Vargas is leaving her job to “pursue new ventures.” The network has not yet mentioned who might step in to be her replacement when she officially leaves in May. She currently co-anchors alongside David Muir on 20/20.

Vargas released a statement to her coworkers this week detailing her decision to leave, apologizing for the timing of the news right before the holidays.

“I will be leaving ABC News and ’20/20′ at the end of this historic 40th season. It has been a profound privilege to be the anchor of 20/20 for 14 years, and a true honor to work with each and every one of you. I am incredibly lucky to work alongside the very best in the business: the producers, editors, writers on this show, and the enormous team working every week to get our show on the air. I am so very proud of the stories we have told together.”

In addition to her work at the network, Vargas has been respected for her openness about her struggle with alcoholism. In 2016 the anchor wrote a book about it called Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction. She most recently went to rehab in August 2014 after opening up about it on air earlier in the year.

“I am an alcoholic. It took me a long time to admit that to myself. It took me a long time to admit it to my family, but I am. The amount of energy I expended keeping that secret and keeping this problem hidden from view was exhausting.”

Goldston has praised her decisions to be vocal about it, calling her an “inspiration.”