The CNN executive who’s allegedly been in a secret relationship with Jeff Zucker for years is a longtime public relations specialist who spent her career working in television.
Zucker announced he was retiring from the network Wednesday morning after he failed to disclose his relationship with Allison Gollust to CNN and said it came to light during the station’s probe into Chris Cuomo.
Gollust claimed she and Zucker had long been friends but their relationship changed amid the pandemic — a claim CNN insiders blasted as a “boldfaced lie”. In her statement, Gollust added that she intends to stay at the network.
Gollust said in a statement, “Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years. Recently, our relationship changed during Covid. I regret that we didn’t disclose it at the right time.”
Zucker joined CNN in 2013. Under his leadership, the US news giant broke viewership records in 2020 and saw the most viewers in its history during January 2021.
Zucker said, “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. I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today.”
