Stephanopoulos Reflects on 16 Years at GMA
As Good Morning America celebrated its 50th anniversary on Nov. 3, 2025, anchors past and present gathered to mark the milestone. George Stephanopoulos, 64, who has been a co-anchor for nearly two decades, told PEOPLE that one memory stands out above the rest as his favorite moment on the ABC morning show.
“My favorite moment, if I had to say, was the day that Robin came back from a bone-marrow transplant and said, ‘Good morning, America’ for the first time,” Stephanopoulos shared.
A Joyful and Fulfilling Moment
In August 2012, co-anchor Robin Roberts, 64, took a leave of absence to undergo a bone marrow transplant to treat myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood disorder. She returned to the airwaves nearly five months later, in February 2013.
“For her to come back and greet the audience again — and greet all of us again — it was just a proud moment, a joyful moment,” Stephanopoulos said. “It was a fulfilling moment, and it was a toast to the future.”
He recalls her absence lasting around 184 days, during which she faced a challenging recovery. Her return was a deeply emotional and uplifting moment for both the team and viewers.
From Political Advisor to Morning Anchor
Stephanopoulos joined GMA after serving as a senior advisor to President Bill Clinton. Reflecting on his initial hesitation to join the show, he told PEOPLE:
“When they first came to me with the idea that I should join Robin as a co-anchor, I said, ‘Are you kidding? That’s not what I do.’”
Despite his reluctance, ABC News president David Westin made a persuasive case for him to accept the role. Stephanopoulos eventually agreed, calling it:
“One of the best professional decisions I ever made.”
Celebrating 50 Years of Good Morning America
The anniversary event included appearances by Diane Sawyer, Charlie Gibson, Joan Lunden, Nancy Dussault, Michael Strahan, Robin Roberts, and Stephanopoulos, highlighting the show’s legacy as a staple of American morning television.
Good Morning America airs weekdays on ABC.
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