Valerie Hoff DeCarlo cause of death: What happened to the former CNN anchor?

Valerie Hoff DeCarlo, a former CNN anchor and longtime Atlanta journalist, died at 62 after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer earlier in 2024. Her death was confirmed by family and noted in local reports published in early December.

Hoff DeCarlo’s career once spanned national and local news before a 2017 controversy led to her exit from broadcasting. Her passing has renewed public interest in her life, work, and final years.

How Valerie Hoff DeCarlo died and what was known about her illness

According to her obituary published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hoff DeCarlo received a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis in 2024. Friends told the outlet she tried to maintain a normal routine despite the severity of her condition. They said she continued planning family events, including an upcoming cruise and holiday gatherings.

Her diagnosis came more than a decade after she survived breast cancer in 2013. She had spoken publicly at the time about her treatment and recovery. However, she never discussed her lung cancer diagnosis widely, choosing instead to focus privately on her family.

Hoff DeCarlo’s health declined in the months leading up to her death. Despite this, those close to her said she remained active, optimistic, and determined to stay connected to family life. Her passing marks the end of a long personal and professional journey that once made her a recognizable face in national and Atlanta media.

Her broadcasting career and the controversy that ended it

Hoff DeCarlo first rose to national prominence as a CNN anchor between 1992 and 1999. After leaving the network, she built a significant local career at Atlanta’s NBC affiliate WXIA, where she worked nearly 20 years as a reporter and anchor.

Her career ended abruptly in 2017 following a private message exchange in which she repeated a racial slur originally used by a man in a public post. The man objected to her repeating the term, and screenshots of the exchange spread online. WXIA suspended her, and she resigned soon after.

After leaving journalism, she attempted to revive her voice through a personal blog, though it did not gain traction. She later focused on family life with her husband and two sons.

Legacy, reactions, and the story of her final years

Hoff DeCarlo leaves behind a complicated legacy shaped by professional success, public controversy, and personal resilience. Colleagues from Atlanta’s news community remembered her as a seasoned reporter who helped shape local storytelling during her decades on air.

Friends described her final months as a period focused on family, reflection, and maintaining a sense of normalcy despite illness. Her story remains a reminder of how public careers can shift suddenly and how individuals continue redefining their lives after stepping away from national attention.

Valerie Hoff DeCarlo’s cause of death has renewed interest in her decades-long career, her quiet life after journalism, and the strength she showed while battling cancer.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was Valerie Hoff DeCarlo’s cause of death?

She died from stage 4 lung cancer diagnosed in 2024. Her obituary confirmed the cause.

Q2: When did Valerie Hoff DeCarlo pass away?

She died in late November 2025, according to local reports and family confirmations.

Q3: Why did Valerie Hoff DeCarlo leave journalism?

She left in 2017 after a private message controversy involving a racial slur, which led to her resignation from WXIA.

Q4: Did Valerie Hoff DeCarlo have a history of health issues?

Yes. She survived breast cancer in 2013 and was later diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2024.

Q5: What was Valerie Hoff DeCarlo known for professionally?

She was known for her years as a CNN anchor and her long career as a reporter and anchor for WXIA in Atlanta.