Neil Cavuto Takes Medical Leave Amid Heart Scare and Ongoing Neurological Issues – “This Isn’t a Vacation; It’s a Fight for My Future”
In a candid admission that’s sent ripples through the conservative media landscape, veteran Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto has paused his career to address serious health concerns, revealing a heart scare and worsening neurological symptoms that have left him “fighting for my future.” The 66-year-old host of Your World with Neil Cavuto and Cavuto: Coast to Coast, a 25-year network staple known for his unflinching market analysis and no-nonsense interviews, shared the news in a poignant on-air farewell Friday, his voice steady but eyes betraying the toll. “This isn’t a vacation – it’s a necessary step to get stronger,” he told viewers, fighting back emotion. Support has surged from colleagues, fans, and even political rivals, but insiders whisper the situation is “more delicate than first implied,” with whispers of a potential long-term hiatus that could reshape Fox’s daytime lineup.
Cavuto’s health journey has been public but understated. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1997 at age 38, the condition has progressively impacted his mobility and stamina, forcing him to use a cane and wheelchair intermittently. But the recent heart scare – a mild arrhythmia episode in October during a taping – was the breaking point. “I felt it coming – chest tight, vision blurring – but I pushed through like always,” Cavuto recounted in a People interview post-announcement. “Doctors said no more – rest, reassess, or risk a full collapse.” The arrhythmia, linked to MS-related stress on the cardiovascular system, required a pacemaker implant on November 10, followed by weeks of cardiac rehab. Neurological flares – numbness in his legs and vertigo – have compounded the issue, making the high-pressure demands of live TV unsustainable.
Cavuto, who joined Fox in 1996 as its first business anchor, has been a fixture for over two decades, interviewing titans from Warren Buffett to Vladimir Putin with a blend of fiscal savvy and folksy charm. His shows average 1.8 million viewers, but the toll has mounted. “Neil’s a warrior, but even warriors need timeouts,” Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said in a statement. “We’re family – he’s got our full support.” The network has tapped rotating guests like Charles Payne and Harris Faulkner for his slots, but whispers of a permanent replacement loom if recovery falters.
Fans rallied instantly. #GetWellNeil trended with 1.5 million posts, supporters sharing: “You’ve been our voice of reason – take the time, come back stronger!” Sean Hannity posted: “Brother, we’ve got your back – fight like hell.” Even CNN’s Jake Tapper, a friendly rival, tweeted: “Neil’s class and grit define journalism – prayers up.”
Insiders reveal the situation is “more delicate than first implied.” Cavuto’s MS, an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, has progressed to secondary symptoms including fatigue and cognitive fog, exacerbated by the heart event. “It’s not just physical – the mental strain of 25 years on air is catching up,” a source close to the family told TMZ. Cavuto, married to wife Mary since 1983 with three grown daughters, has leaned on faith and family: “They remind me why I fight – to see my grandkids grow up.”
His candidness aligns with a growing trend of media figures prioritizing health, from Al Roker’s 2020 cancer battle to Robin Roberts’ transparency. “Vulnerability isn’t weakness – it’s wisdom,” Cavuto said. As he steps back, Fox faces a void, but one truth endures: Neil Cavuto’s voice, steady through storms, will return – wiser, perhaps, but unmistakably his.
