Janice Dean cries in emotional Fox & Friends exit amid MS fight
Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean cried through an emotional farewell on Fox & Friends on July 10, 2026, ending 22 years at the network. She is stepping away as multiple sclerosis symptoms worsen, citing early-morning shifts, live-broadcast stress, and doctor-backed health limits after announcing her exit in late June.
The Janice Dean Fox News exit capped a departure viewers had seen coming since Dean posted on X and Facebook in late June that she would leave for health reasons tied to MS. Her final morning appearance quickly became one of the most talked-about moments in recent celebrity breaking news, blending career gratitude with visible grief.
Key Takeaways
- Janice Dean said an emotional goodbye on Fox & Friends on July 10, 2026, after 22 years with Fox News.
- She announced her departure in late June, citing worsening multiple sclerosis symptoms and medical advice to step back.
- Early mornings, long hours on her feet, and live TV stress had become unsustainable triggers for her condition.
- Fox News praised Dean's warmth and resilience and said it fully supports her decision to leave the weather desk.
- Dean told viewers she had "loved every moment" while acknowledging a real grieving period over ending the chapter.
Why did Janice Dean leave Fox News?
Dean revealed in a social media message on June 25 that she could no longer continue in her role as symptoms from multiple sclerosis advanced. She said there is no cure for MS and that, over time, lack of sleep and stress were among her biggest triggers.
According to USA Today, she had been managing the disease while working demanding shifts, including early-morning hours and long periods on her feet, but increasingly felt the limits of what her body could handle. Her doctors agreed that stepping away was necessary for her health.
What happened during Janice Dean's final Fox & Friends appearance?
On July 10, Dean returned to the Fox & Friends set for a last farewell rather than a quiet off-air exit. Fox News video of the moment shows the senior meteorologist breaking down in tears as co-hosts celebrated her two-decade run.
Dean reflected on sharing major life milestones on air, including her engagement, pregnancies, an MS diagnosis about 20 years ago, and her in-laws' deaths during COVID. She spoke about Fox colleagues as a "second family" and said turning the page on this chapter had felt heavy, even as she thanked viewers for supporting her journey.
How has Fox News responded to her departure?
Fox News Media issued a statement praising Dean for inspiring viewers with warmth, resilience, and openness about her personal journey. The network said it fully supports her courageous decision to step away as senior meteorologist on Fox & Friends and expressed gratitude for her contributions.
For Dean, the exit is as much personal as professional. She described a grieving period after leaving a job that shaped her public life, even as she looked ahead to more time with her sons beyond the predawn broadcast schedule that had defined her career for more than two decades.