Diane Sawyer to Leave ABC’s World News

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News anchor Diane Sawyer will step down from ABC’s World News this September.

“After wonderful years at “World News” I decided it is time to move to a new full time role at ABC News,” said Sawyer.

Beginning September 2, weekend World News anchor David Muir will assume her position, becoming Anchor and Managing Editor of the program. The World News switch is not the only change—George Stephanopoulos, anchor of GMA, will become Chief Anchor for ABC News.

Congrats to my friends @DavidMuir & @GStephanopoulos – big days and stories ahead for all at @ABC !

— Diane Sawyer (@DianeSawyer) June 25, 2014

Sawyer, who once anchored Good Morning America and Primetime, will continue to appear across ABC platforms, tackling, “big issues and extraordinary interviews,” said ABC.

“I’ll be joined by an incredible team of journalists dedicated to enterprise reporting, innovative approaches to breaking news and new ways of thinking about big issues and events around the world,” Sawyer said. “I can’t wait to continue bringing more of my specials to prime time and appearing on all ABC News broadcasts, as well.”

Diane Sawyer: A Look Back

Diane Sawyer Laughing with Colleagues
Diane Sawyer's first exposure to the public limelight came in 1963 when she won first place at the age of 17 in the annual America's Junior Miss scholarship pageant as a representative from Kentucky.Bettmann/Corbis
Morning
One of her earliest on-air roles was as a co-anchor with Charles Kuralt on the CBS News program Morning in 1981.CBS/Getty Images
60 Minutes
Diane Sawyer became the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes in 1984. Above, she is seen with Ed Bradley, Mike Wallace, Harry Reasoner and Morley Safer.CBS/Getty Images
Portrait of Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer Together
Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters prior to the taping of the 6th annual Television Academy Hall of Fame installation ceremonies on January 7, 1990.Bettmann/Corbis
ABC's Primetime Special Edition: Whitney Houston
Sawyer interviewed Whitney Houston in her Atlanta home in 2002 where the singer said her infamous "crack is whack" line.Ida Mae Astute—ABC/Getty Images
Sesame Workshop's Second Annual Benefit Gala
Oprah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer kiss Elmo during the Sesame Workshop's Second Annual Benefit Gala held at Cipriani 42nd St in New York City on June 2, 2004.Albert Ferreira—Reuters/Corbis
Destiny's Child on "Good Morning America" - November 16, 2004
Diane Sawyer interviews Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland and Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child on Good Morning America, November 16, 2004.Theo Wargo—WireImage/Getty Images
Rita Wilson's Opening Night At 54 Below
Diane Sawyer and Tom Hanks attend Rita Wilson's Opening Night at 54 Below on April 14, 2013 in New York City. Cindy Ord—Getty Images
WORLD NEWS WITH DIANE SAWYER
Diane Sawyer took over as the anchor of ABC News' flaghsip program, ABC World News, in 2009 replacing Charles Gibson.Ida Mae Astute—ABC/Getty Images

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