LONDON — Former television news presenter Jon Snow has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and will share his experience in a documentary airing on 20 June. The program, titled Jon Snow: A Last Big Story, will be broadcast at 8pm.
Snow participated in a clinical trial for Alzheimer's disease. He reported telling his wife, Precious Lunga, that he was late for work 10 months after concluding his role at Channel 4. Snow was the principal anchor for Channel 4 News for 32 years, presenting his final news bulletin in December 2021.
Snow said, "At the beginning I wanted to hide it, there's so much prejudice."
He said, "There are moments when it pops up but it's not an all-day, every-day condition, and that's what I cling on to."
Michelle Dyson, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, commented on Snow's announcement. Dyson said, "Jon's decision to talk publicly about his dementia diagnosis is a real act of courage and his story will resonate with so many." She said, "Despite being the U.K.'s biggest killer, dementia is still not treated with the same urgency as other major health conditions like cancer." Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition that attacks the brain and causes a decline in memory and cognitive function. Snow's mother, Joan, had Alzheimer's disease before her death.
During his broadcasting career, Snow covered events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the release of Nelson Mandela, and the inauguration of Barack Obama. He previously worked as a correspondent for ITN, reporting from Somalia and Vietnam, and served as ITN's Washington correspondent during the middle of Ronald Reagan's presidency.