Jeff Zucker announced Wednesday that he is resigning from his role as president of CNN Worldwide, effective immediately.

What You Need To Know

  • Jeff Zucker announced Wednesday that he is resigning from his role as president of CNN Worldwide, effective immediately

  • Zucker wrote in a memo that he did not disclose a "consensual relationship" with a colleague, identified as Allison Gollust

  • The relationship came to light during the network's investigation into the conduct of former anchor Chris Cuomo

  • In a separate statement, Gollust said that she will remain with the network: "I’m incredibly proud of my time at CNN"

Zucker, who has been with the network for nearly a decade, wrote in a memo to staff that he did not disclose a "consensual relationship" with a colleague, which came to light during the network's investigation into the conduct of former anchor Chris Cuomo.

"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," Zucker wrote. "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."

CNN identified the colleague as Allison Gollust, CNN’s chief marketing officer. In a statement, Gollust said that she will remain with the network.

"Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years,” Gollust wrote. “Recently, our relationship changed during COVID. I regret that we didn’t disclose it at the right time. I’m incredibly proud of my time at CNN and look forward to continuing the great work we do everyday.”

Zucker had long stood by former anchor Chris Cuomo, who was fired in December over questions surrounding the role he played in providing advice to his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as the latter’s administration became engulfed in scandal.

Cuomo, who has contested the terms of his termination from the network, had previously acknowledged being a sounding board for his brother when allegations of sexual harassment first surfaced. Documents released by the state attorney general’s office in late November revealed his involvement was far more extensive than previously known. 

Zucker’s support for Cuomo waned in late December days before he was fired, when a former CNN staffer alleged sexual misconduct years prior by Cuomo, who denies the allegation. 

Zucker boasted a number of high-profile tenures during his multi-decade career in the media industry, including a stint as president and CEO of NBCUniversal in from 2007 - 2010. The 56-year-old joined CNN in January 2013, and was influential in shaping the company’s trajectory in the following decade. 

“Together, we had nine great years,” Zucker wrote in his letter to colleagues. “I certainly wish my tenure here had ended differently. But it was an amazing run. And I loved every minute.”