Valerie Hoff DeCarlo, a well-known television personality who gained prominence as a former CNN anchor before leaving mainstream broadcasting, passed away recently following a private two-decade career in news that culminated in controversy. Her death is reported to be due to lung cancer.

DeCarlo’s professional journey included stints at both CNN and WXIA (the NBC affiliate station). After resigning from WXIA under circumstances related to the use of racial slurs, she retired from professional journalism but continued her work elsewhere. She faced suspension at WXIA after using a highly offensive term in private communication; this incident led to her eventual departure from that role.

Despite these events, DeCarlo is remembered for her journalistic background and later pursuits outside traditional media. She became established as an author with a specific online identity during her time away from major news networks.

The passing of Valerie Hoff DeCarlo has brought attention to the impact of health struggles following her career decisions. Her death marks the end of a journey that included overcoming breast cancer in 2013, which required significant treatment including surgical intervention by Derrick DeCarlo before she was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer this year.

She is survived by her husband, Derrick DeCarlo, and their two sons, Nicholas and Jehnya.