Cynthia Lee through the years
Cynthia Lee (in photo above with Mike Valdes) is exiting her second go-round as 9 p.m. news co-anchor on the Fox affiliate to spend more quality time with her crooner husband, Joe Caruso, and darling little girl Catarina.
Her last day will be May 21, when the latest ratings book wraps up.
She’ll also pursue a new business venture — as a full-time broker for Transwestern, a top real estate brokerage in San Antonio. “Many people may not realize I’m a licensed Realtor,” Lee explained. “I have been juggling two careers and motherhood for quite some time.”
This is the second time Lee has left the anchor post next to Michael Valdes on the Fox affiliate’s signature 9 p.m. news broadcast. Previously, she waved goodbye in 2009, following eight years as co-anchor, to dedicate her time to producing a motivating children’s television show and accompanying website.
Lee returned to KABB in early 2012 for a job as weekend co-anchor. She took over the weekday broadcast after the station lost beloved anchorwoman Karen Martinez to cancer.
“”KABB has been my second family since 1998 and I’m grateful for all the opportunities they’ve given me,” Lee said.
“As much as I enjoy delivering the news nightly,” she added, “this change will allow me to enjoy more of life’s precious moments, like tucking my daughter in bed at night.”
Cynthia and Joe welcomed their first child, Catarina, more than two years ago.
This marks the third major departure announcement at Sinclair-owned sister stations KABB/WOAI over the space of five months. First, chief WOAI anchorwoman Elsa Ramon left to join her husband in California.
Then, this week, WOAI said chief meteorologist John Gerard would be leaving to take a TV post in Miami that would allow him to be with his wife and kids in South Florida. And now, Lee says she’s leaving.
John Seabers, Sinclair group manager and WOAI’s general manager, said he expects decisions on the three replacements for the departing news personalities to be finalized within the next two weeks. Stay tuned.
Photo: KABB