CNN boss Jeff Zucker quits abruptly after failing to disclose a 'consensual relationship' with a colleague

• CNN president Jeff Zucker is stepping down immediately.
• Zucker is resigning after he failed to disclose a relationship with another CNN executive.

CNN President Jeff Zucker is resigning after his relationship with a colleague was uncovered as part of the network's investigation into anchor Chris Cuomo, the media boss said in a statement.

Zucker said the "consensual relationship" was with his "closest colleague" and someone he worked with for 20 years, according to a statement shared to Twitter by CNN's chief media correspondent Brian Stelter.

"I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn't. I was wrong," he wrote.

Zucker added: "As a result, I am resigning today."

The New York Times reported that Zucker was referring to CNN executive vice president and chief marketing officer Allison Gollust.

In a statement to the Times, Gollust said their relationship "changed during Covid."

"I regret that we didn't disclose it at the right time," she wrote. "I'm incredibly proud of my time at CNN and look forward to continuing the great work we do every day." Gollust told the Times that she will continue on in her role at the network.

Zucker, a veteran of the TV news business, joined CNN in 2013. He began his career as a researcher on The Olympics, then rose up the ranks at NBC News — running the "Today" show and later becoming chief executive of NBCUniversal before it was acquired by Comcast. He leaves CNN as it prepares to launch its paid streaming service CNN+, a project seen inside the network as its biggest initiative since the company launched in the 1980s.

"I certainly wish my tenure had ended differently," he wrote in a statement.

Questions about Zucker's relationship emerged during the investigation into CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, who was fired in December after it was found he used his media sources to help his brother, ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, fight off sexual harassment allegations. Chris Cuomo also faced an allegation of sexual misconduct, which he denied.

Zucker initially stood with the former anchor against the allegations that he had used his position to help his brother, though he later rescinded his support.

Zucker's departure marks the latest high-profile domino to tumble amid the fallout from the Andrew Cuomo scandal. In August, the CEO and chairwoman of Time's Up resigned after it was revealed leaders of the nonprofit anti-harassment group had advised former Gov. Cuomo's administration when the misconduct allegations about him first surfaced. A month later, the Human Rights Campaign fired its president over his role advising Cuomo's legal team.

The exit comes ahead of a planned merger between Discovery and CNN's parent company, WarnerMedia, set to close in the spring.

WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced three executives, Michael Bass, Amy Entelis and Ken Jautz, as interim co-heads through the merger. "I have full confidence that Michael, Amy and Ken, as interim heads for News, will provide the leadership this organization needs during this time of transition," Kilar said in a memo to staff seen by Insider.

Additional reporting by Lara O'Reilly.