As the anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight, David Muir has become a household name, anchoring the primetime news cycle for over a decade. Yet, despite his immense success and recognition, the 51-year-old journalist is no stranger to the challenges that come with the role. In a recent appearance on LIVE with Kelly and Mark, Muir opened up about navigating a particularly difficult period in his career while maintaining his optimism.

Since taking over the role in September 2014, Muir has led World News Tonight to new heights, and the show recently earned the Outstanding Live News Program award at the 6th Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards for the third consecutive year. On LIVE, hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos couldn’t help but celebrate his success, with Kelly jokingly predicting that Muir would soon be the “Oprah Winfrey of the evening news.”

However, despite the accolades, Muir revealed that the past few years have been particularly tough, acknowledging the weight of the global events he’s covered. “Listen, it’s been a really heavy time, and it hasn’t let up,” Muir shared candidly. “I’ve joked with you guys, I feel like I need to say, ‘Good evening, and I’m sorry,’” he continued, adding, “But we’ll get through it.”

While Muir’s time in the spotlight has been marked by major professional achievements, he also emphasized the importance of teamwork. Though the show’s recent Emmy win was a significant moment, Muir explained that it meant more to him to see his team go up on stage than to receive the individual accolade. “I told the team, it meant more to me to be able to see them go up on the stage, they’re incredible,” he said, reflecting on the 11 years he’s spent working alongside his colleagues.

A Strong Support System: The Person Who Stands By Him

Despite the demands of his job, Muir has one constant source of support: his close friends, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. The trio has shared a long history, with Muir recalling Kelly and Mark’s presence during his first week as anchor when he took over from Diane Sawyer. “They were there for my first week. It’s been a special connection ever since,” he reflected.

Muir’s relationship with Kelly and Mark extends beyond mere professional camaraderie. When discussing the hardships of the past few years, Muir credited his close circle for helping him navigate the emotional toll of covering difficult stories. It’s clear that having such a strong network, particularly in the form of long-time friends who understand the pressures of the job, has been an invaluable resource for Muir.

Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Reporting and Resilience

Though the news cycle continues to present its challenges, Muir’s passion for journalism remains unwavering. He expressed his desire to continue leading World News Tonight as long as he can bring important stories to the public, especially through his international reporting. “As long as I have the ability to travel the world and bring news to the public’s doorsteps, I want to continue doing so,” he said, reinforcing his dedication to the job that has defined his career for over a decade.

Despite the “heavy” times, Muir’s resilience and commitment to the work he does remain evident. With a powerful team by his side, the unwavering support of friends like Kelly and Mark, and an unshakable dedication to his role, David Muir continues to navigate the complexities of journalism with the same professionalism that has made him one of the most respected names in the industry.