Retired American journalist Ron Claiborne was a long-serving correspondent for ABC News. He served as the contemporary reporter for the weekend edition of Good Morning America.

He also frequently reported and contributed on ABC News' other shows such as Nightline and World News Tonight with David Muir.

Claiborne Left ABC after 32 Years

On September 15, 2018, the veteran journalist took to social media to announce his retirement. He shared that he was stepping down from his role at ABC after serving as the broadcaster for 32 years.

"Sunday, September 16 will be my final day at @GMA Weekend & I’ll be leaving ABC at the end of the month," Claiborne wrote on Twitter. "32 years ABC News. A long, good run. Now it’s time to go."

He further expressed through Facebook that he lived his childhood dream by working 41 years altogether in the news world.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ron Claiborne (@roneclaiborne)

Claiborne was quickly heaped with farewell messages from his fans to the biggest names in the news industry.

"Your honesty and class will be missed! Here’s to a fun adventure in the next chapter of your life," a fan tweeted.

WCVB chief meteorologist also congratulated him on his service and wished him luck for the future. 

Similarly, Matthew Dowd, the chief political analyst at ABC, passed on a congratulatory message and commented about missing him already. Other bigwigs from news business Dave Price, LZ Granderson, Tiffany Kenny, Julia Mcfarlane, and Russ Mitchell also showered him with congratulatory messages on his retirement.

His Farewell Party

The ABC fraternity put on their best efforts to grant him a huge farewell and organized him a goodbye party at the Dakota bar.

The celebration went on until late midnight. The party was attended by James Goldston, Barbara Fedida, Marc Burstein, Diane Sawyer, John Quinones, Dan Harris, Paula Faris, and Sara Haines. All of them had a direct working relationship with the award-winning journalist. 

His colleagues at Good Morning America also compiled a farewell video that consisted of his best moments working with the network, along with messages from all his co-workers.

Claiborne was touched by the gesture and struggled to hide his tears. He thanked everyone for their sweet messages and left saying that he would cherish those 32 years spent with fondness. 

Engaged in Global Volunteer Program after Retirement

After the retirement from his journalism career, Claiborne got associated with philanthropic works. In December 2018, he began working as a global volunteer by teaching English to secondary school students in Tanzania, East Africa.

Ron Claiborne shares an insight into his volunteering journey in Africa

Ron Claiborne shares an insight into his volunteering journey in Africa. (Photo: Ron Claiborne's Facebook)

Besides being a voluntary English teacher, he also worked as a volunteer at the Uganda Wildlife Education Center in Entebbe.

After serving in Africa, he also traveled to different Asia countries, including Cambodia, India, Nepal, and Singapore, to volunteer in various social welfare activities.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ron Claiborne (@roneclaiborne)

He frequently posts updates on all his activities as a global volunteer on his social media handles. His posts also suggest that he is fit and has no signs of illness.

While he posts about his adventurous endeavor and journey, his comment section can be seen filled with good wishes and 'miss you' messages from his viewers. This reflects the good impact he had shed upon his viewers over his years serving as a journalist.

Details about His Personal Life Is Confined

Claiborne likes to keep his personal life confined. Because of that, it is yet to be confirmed if he is currently married to a wife, has a partner, or remains single.

That being said, he was not married as of September 2011.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ron Claiborne (@roneclaiborne)

Back then, the retired journalist connected to one of his viewers via phone call during a show. The caller was interested to know his zodiac sign, and in reply, Claiborne said he was Leo.

The caller then asked if he knew his soul mate should be an Aquarius. Giggles of the co-anchors followed the conversation, and Claiborne replied that he wasn't married, but he was looking for a potential Aquarius partner.

But after that, there has been no revelation about his love life, which also has raised questions on his orientation — asking if he is gay and yet to come out of the closet.

Claiborne's Bio and Net Worth Details

The former ABC News correspondent was born on August 20, 1953, in San Francisco, California.

He is of Southern descent and possesses African-American ethnicity. His parents were from Alabama and South Carolina.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ron Claiborne (@roneclaiborne)

Claiborne graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in psychology and a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

After completing his education, he began his journalism career. He first worked at an independent newspaper based in Richmond, California.  

He later joined ABC News as a general assignment correspondent based in Boston in 1986.

He covered and reported a wide variety of stories for ABC News, including the legalization of gay marriages in Massachusetts, the Boston Catholic Church scandal in 2002, the Elian Gonzales custody battle, the Yugoslavia conflict in Belgrade, and the 2008 U.S. Presidential campaigns.

He was also awarded an Emmy in 2000 for his coverage of the seizure of Elian Gonzales in Miami.

With all his success, Claiborne reportedly has a net worth of $5 million, whereas his salary remains confined.