Elisabeth Hasselbeck is leaving Fox News at the end of the year to focus on her family, the network announced Monday. She has hosted the "Fox & Friends" show with Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade since September of 2013.
"Oftentimes, the most difficult decisions are between two great things," she said in a statement, according to People magazine today. "Throughout my 14 years working in television, I have never experienced a more positive and thoughtful atmosphere than FOX News Channel, thanks to the strong leadership of (FOX News Chairman & CEO) Roger Ailes, who has created the best working environment a woman and mother could ask for."
"Ailes' understanding, compassion and kindness were exemplified when I shared with him that I am entering into a season where I want to start my day with my children first, and he offered his blessing to do so," she continued.
"With a heart full of gratitude and the peace that God has given me, I am confident that this personal decision is the right one for our family, and we will be joining all of you watching Fox & Friends each morning as we get ready for school together."
Hasselbeck, 38, was a "Survivor" contestant in 2001 and became well-known for her Republican politics as a host of ABC's "The View" from 2003 to 2013. She often clashed with her fellow co-stars Rosie O'Donnell and Whoopi Goldberg, and eventually left the ABC daytime show to go to Fox.
Hasselbeck, 38, has three children: Grace, 10, Taylor, 8, and Isaiah, 6.
On Hasselbeck's Facebook page today Brent Kramer posted: "I just read about you leaving Fox News. You were a role model for all women and your decision to spend time with your children is even greater. I so wish you well and blessings for what you are doing. May God always be with you and your family."
David Maddison also stated, "Sorry to hear you are leaving Fox News, please let us know that maybe in the future when your kids are older that you would consider coming back in some fashion on radio or television. Your voice is needed by this country!!"
Hasselbeck co-hosted Fox News Channel's 2014 New Year's Eve special, "All-American New Year," live from Times Square in New York City alongside Bill Hemmer. During her time on the daytime talk show, "The View," she and her co-hosts were selected by Time Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" and in July 2009 Forbes ranked The View as No. 11 on the list of "30 of the Most Influential Women." Until 2013, she had also been a contributor to ABC's Good Morning America since October 2010.
Hasselbeck was a keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention in both 2004 and 2008. Additionally, as a woman with Celiac Disease, she works closely with the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University to raise awareness about the autoimmune disease and has written two New York Times best-sellers, "The G-Free Diet" and the cookbook, "Deliciously G-Free."
A graduate with a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Boston College, Hasselbeck was honored with the Boston College Distinguished Alumni Award.
