By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Jeff Zucker, president of CNN Worldwide, announced his resignation from the network on Wednesday after nine years following an investigation that revealed a relationship he had with a co-worker.
“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,” he said in a statement shared by CNN’s Brian Stelter. “I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong.”
In his statement, Zucker did not disclose the name of his co-worker, although CNN identified her as the network’s chief marketing officer, Allison Gollust.
“Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years,” Gollust said in a statement shared by CNN. “Recently, our relationship changed during COVID. I regret that we didn’t disclose it at the right time.”
Zucker began serving as CNN Worldwide president in 2013. Six years later, he was named chairman of WarnerMedia News and Sports.
Jason Kilar, the CEO of CNN parent company WarnerMedia, said in an email Wednesday to CNN staff members that he had accepted Zucker’s resignation from both roles. He thanked Zucker for his contributions to the company.
In a subsequent email, Kilar said three senior executives will lead CNN until WarnerMedia completes a merger with Discovery: Michael Bass, Amy Entelis and Ken Jautz.
“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, according to CNN.
Before joining CNN, Zucker spent more than two decades at NBC Universal, including five years -- from 2007 to 2011 -- as the company’s president and CEO. He has been credited with revamping CNN’s programming, raising the network to become the most-used digital news outlet in the world, according to the company.
In December, CNN fired Cuomo -- then the network’s top-rated anchor -- amid allegations that he had breached journalistic ethics to help his older brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as the elder Cuomo faced allegations of sexual misconduct.
Network officials later said Chris Cuomo was also facing accusations of sexual misconduct himself. He had been with the network since 2013..
Through the years Universal Studios President/CEO Ron Meyer and NBC Universal President/CEO Jeff Zucker arrive to the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Love Happens" on September 15, 2009 in Westwood, Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Caulfield/Getty Images) (Michael Caulfield/Getty Images)
Through the years Jeff Zucker, president and CEO of NBC Universal, participates in a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill February 25, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee is hearing testimony on the proposed Comcast and NBC Universal merger. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Through the years News correspondent Brian Williams, comedian Seth Meyers and President and CEO of NBC Universal Jeff Zucker pose for photos at the 2010 Matrix Awards presented by New York Women in Communications at The Waldorf Astoria on April 19, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) (Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
Through the years President and CEO of NBC Universal Jeff Zucker, creator and executive producer of Saturday Night Live Lorne Michaels and President and CEO of Universal Studios Ron Meyer attend the premiere of "MacGruber" at Landmark's Sunshine Cinema on May 19, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Through the years Jeff Zucker (L), President/CEO of NBC Universal, and Ron Meyer, President/COO of Universal Studios attend the reopening of Universal Studios' back lot on May 27, 2010 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Through the years Jeff Zucker, Natalie Morales, Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford, Meredith Vieira, Al Roker, Jim Bell, Ann Curry and Lester Holt attend the 20th Annual Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame Awards at The Waldorf Astoria on October 27, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Through the years (L-R) American television executive and former President and CEO of NBC Universal Jeff Zucker, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Tishman Speyer CEO Jerry Speyer turn on the lights at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center on November 30, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Through the years Jeffrey "Jeff" Zucker, president of Cable News Network Inc., right, and Caryn Zucker arrive to a state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. first lady Michelle Obama in honor of French President Francois Hollande at the White House on February 11, 2014 in Washington, DC. Obama and Hollande said the U.S. and France are embarking on a new, elevated level of cooperation as they confront global security threats in Syria and Iran, deal with climate change and expand economic cooperation. (Photo by Andrew Harrer-Pool/Getty Images) (Pool/Getty Images)
Through the years Jeff Zucker, president of CNN Worldwide, speaks at the "Sixties" series premiere party at Grand Central Terminal on May 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images) (Rob Kim/Getty Images)
Through the years President of CNN Worldwide Jeff Zucker (L) and Don Lemon attend the CNN The Seventies Launch Party at Marquee on June 9, 2015 in New York City. 25520_172.JPG (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Through the years Caryn Zucker and Jeff Zucker arrive at Lincoln Center's American Songbook Gala Honors Lorne Michaels at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on February 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
Through the years CNN President Jeff Zucker attends CNN Heroes Gala 2016 at the American Museum of Natural History on December 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Turner) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Turner)
Through the years Jeff Zucker, president of CNN speaks onstage at IGNITION: Future of Media at Time Warner Center on November 29, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Through the years Chairman, WarnerMedia Jeff Zucker attends CNN Heroes at American Museum of Natural History on December 08, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for WarnerMedia) (MIKE COPPOLA/Getty Images for WarnerMedia)
Through the years In this screengrab Jeff Zucker and Bob Woodward speak during the CITIZEN by CNN 2020 Conference on September 22, 2020 in UNSPECIFIED, United States. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for CNN) (Getty Images/["Getty Images for CNN"])
Through the years CNN president Jeff Zucker (L) and Larry Fitzgerald meet during Capital One's The Match at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin on July 06, 2021 in Big Sky, Montana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images for The Match) (Stacy Revere/Getty Images for The Match)