For close to two decades, Joan Lunden was the beloved face of Good Morning America, guiding the morning show through some of the most historic moments in history. From reporting on global events to sharing heartwarming stories, Joan’s presence became a staple in millions of households. But in 1997, she shocked viewers by stepping away from the program, leaving many to wonder why she left and who would take her place. Let’s dive into the details and find out what happened next.
Why Did Joan Lunden Leave Good Morning America?
Joan Lunden officially joined the Good Morning America team in 1980, working alongside the seasoned news anchor David Hartman. When David left the series in 1987, the door opened for a new cohost, and that’s when Charles "Charlie" Gibson stepped in. Together, Joan and Charlie became an iconic duo, propelling the show to new heights and capturing the hearts of viewers across the nation.
In a candid interview with Yahoo! Life in December 2022, Joan reflected on her time at GMA. She described the unique bond she formed with viewers during those early morning hours. "That time of morning is so different from any other time of the day when it comes to television," she explained. "It's an intimate time. People aren’t fully dressed, kids are running around, and here we were, part of their morning routine. The connection we built was almost like family. To this day, people still stop me and give me hugs, telling me they loved me in the morning—even though it’s been over two decades since I left!"
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Despite their undeniable chemistry, Joan said goodbye to GMA in September 1997. In a heartfelt press release, she expressed her reasons for stepping down: "After two decades of waking up America with a smile, and having been given incredible opportunities on Good Morning America, I’ve decided to ask the executives at ABC to give me a chance to do something I’ve never done—wake up my own children with a smile while they’re still children.”
Joan, a dedicated mother to a blended family of seven kids and author of Wake-Up Calls, was succeeded by Lisa McRee on GMA. Charlie continued anchoring until 1998, when he was replaced by Kevin Newman. Later, Diane Sawyer joined the team, ushering in a new era for the show. Diane retired from reporting in 2009 but remains close friends with Joan to this day.
What’s Joan Lunden Up To Now?
Years after leaving GMA, Joan opened up about the real reason behind her sudden departure. In a 2013 interview with Parade, she revealed that network executives decided younger anchors were the way to go. "They replaced me and Charlie Gibson with 30-something versions of ourselves," she said. "I agreed to say I was moving on to do other things, and then I did them. They lost about 4 million viewers in a week. It was a calculated risk, and it didn’t pay off."
She also shared an honest conversation she had with network executives after learning her time on the show was coming to an end. "I didn’t talk about it for a long time. I believe in going out with class," Joan explained. "I called the president of the network and told him, 'A year ago, NBC let Jane Pauley go and brought in Deborah Norville. The audience was so upset because it was so obvious you pushed out a woman as she got older to bring in a younger one. Did you guys not learn anything?'”
After leaving GMA, Joan went on to host A&E's Behind Closed Doors and worked as a special correspondent on Today. As a breast cancer survivor, she has become a passionate advocate for cancer research. Diagnosed in 2014, Joan is now cancer-free and uses her experience to inspire others. "When you battle a life-threatening disease and come out the other side, you feel this deep desire to help the next person through," she told Closer in 2020. "You come out of cancer treatment with a newfound appreciation for life and the people who supported you."
