CBS has announced that Steve Kroft will retire from 60 MINUTES at the end of his 30th season.
The 73-year-old correspondent is currently the newsmagazine’s longest-tenured reporter, having reported nearly 500 60 MINUTES stories. Kroft will announce his plans to step down this Sunday, May 19 after the broadcast’s 51st season finale. 60 MINUTES will celebrate his 50-year career as a journalist with a special tribute broadcast this September.
“Steve Kroft’s reporting for 60 MINUTES has been as important as any correspondent’s in the history of this broadcast,” said 60 MINUTES executive producer Bill Owens. “Steve, with his sharp eye for detail, rich writing and demanding journalism, has set the bar at 60 MINUTES for three decades.”
“From the moment Steve Kroft arrived at CBS News in 1980, he has been shot out of a cannon and wherever he landed his stories broke news, had depth, and a strong sense of humanity,” said Susan Zirinsky, CBS News president and senior executive producer. “From Central America to a tour of duty in London, and back to New York, his destiny was clear – Kroft’s investigative instincts and ability to unravel the most complex stories made him a perfect fit for the 60 MINUTES team.”
Kroft’s last segment this Sunday will be an investigation into bank fraud.
Kroft came to "60 Minutes" in 1989. He covered a wide range of topics, from Pakistan's instability to President Barack Obama and the 2008 recession. "60 Minutes" will celebrate his career as a journalist with a special tribute broadcast this September.
(CBS, The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Deep bow to Steve Kroft who announced his retirement today after 30 years of 60 Minutes. So grateful to Steve for his public service, his compelling writing and illuminating interviews. We head toward our 52nd… https://t.co/4Tw0AV4YZE
— Scott Pelley (@ScottPelley) May 17, 2019
