Kathleen Friery, wife of ABC New York anchor Bill Ritter, described the apprehension she felt when she began noticing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in her husband.
Friery, 63, explained in an interview with People that she was initially hesitant to address her concerns, not wanting to be the one to bring up the sensitive topic. However, upon confronting Ritter, he acknowledged her observations, stating, "Oh, yeah. I’m feeling it."
Ritter, 76, confirmed that he had a sense something was amiss, recalling initial experiences of struggling to recall names. He noted that such instances can be easily dismissed as common occurrences. He publicly disclosed his diagnosis in June, two years after learning of his condition. At that time, he explained that he was receiving treatments to manage the early-stage Alzheimer's but acknowledged there was no guarantee they would be effective long-term due to the lack of a cure.
He also shared that his first noticeable symptom was forgetting people's names and places. Initially, his condition was thought to be mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which can sometimes precede Alzheimer's but is not always an indicator.
Friery, who closely monitored her husband's condition, and Ritter met with additional doctors in the summer of 2025 for further testing. The confirmation of an Alzheimer's diagnosis brought a sense of validation, with Friery recalling, "When we finally heard Alzheimer’s, there was this sense of, ‘Okay, so we’re not crazy. This thing is real.'"
Ritter’s primary concern upon receiving the diagnosis was its impact on his family. He receives a monthly infusion intended to slow the progression of the disease.
Friery expressed immense pride in Ritter's approach to his diagnosis, noting his determination to address the situation rather than dwelling on loss. Ritter has two adult children, Mia, 33, and Owen, 31, from a previous marriage, and a 17-year-old daughter, Ella, with Friery.