Who is Jeff Zucker's GF Allison Gollust? CNN prez RESIGNS over romance with Andrew Cuomo aide
CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker has stepped down from his position and resigned from the global news network, on account of an undisclosed romantic relationship with a colleague. In a memo submitted to the team, the 56-year-old admitted that he was "wrong" in not disclosing his relationship to the management, as workplace protocols mandate. The romance came to light during an internal investigation into Chris Cuomo, the star CNN anchor who was fired last year.
Jeff Zucker, who was previously married to Caryn Zucker for 21 years, has had a consensual relationship with a senior executive at CNN for the past few years. As part of the Chris Cuomo probe, Zucker was inquired about his alleged romance with the executive, when he revealed that their relationship "evolved in the recent years." Without disclosing her identity, Jeff Zucker added that he has been working with the person for the past two decades. "I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn't. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today," he noted.
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While Zucker himself did not name his romantic partner, CNN identified her as Allison Gollust, the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at CNN Worldwide. She presently heads the brand, marketing, and public relations teams for CNN in New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
Gollust herself issued a statement about her relationship with Jeff Zucker, noting, "Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years. Recently, our relationship changed during Covid. I regret that we didn't disclose it at the right time."
Interestingly enough, prior to joining CNN Gollust had served as a communications director in the office of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The ex-governor had stepped down from active duty in August 2021, following a shocking sexual harassment scandal. As many as 11 women came forward with complaints of sexual misconduct and harassment against Andrew Cuomo, which ultimately prompted his resignation.
Meanwhile, Andrew Cuomo's brother Chris, who incidentally happened to be one of the most popular anchors at CNN, came under fire for allegedly shielding his brother in the sexual harassment scandal. Amid a raging controversy, CNN fired Chris Cuomo in December 2021 and launched a probe to assess the allegations against him. It must be noted here that Chris Cuomo himself was slapped with a sexual misconduct complaint by a former colleague, represented by attorney Debra Katz.
As interlinked and bizarre it may seem, it was the Chris Cuomo investigation that ultimately led to the disclosure of Jeff Zucker's relationship with ex-Cuomo aide Allison Gollust. Considered one of the most prominent media executives in the US, Zucker's sudden resignation came as a shock to the liberal media spectrum.
Wall Street Journal reporter Jimmy Vielkind reacted to the news saying, "There really, truly are only six people in the state of New York," as he attempted to connect the dots between the Cuomo brothers, Zucker and Gollust.
"(1) Andrew Cuomo once hired Allison Gollust as comms director"
"(2) Andrew Cuomo felled by sexual harassment allegations"
"(3) Chris Cuomo felled by investigation after helping Andrew grapple with allegations"
"(4) Investigation of Chris Cuomo finds Jeff Zucker relationship w Gollust"
"(5) Not sure if Allison Gollust has a Mario Cuomo connection (probably; don't we all?), but Andrew and Chris are Mario's kids," Vielkind wrote in a Twitter thread.
(1) Andrew Cuomo once hired Allison Gollust as comms director
— Jimmy Vielkind (@JimmyVielkind) February 2, 2022
(2) Andrew Cuomo felled by sexual harassment allegations
(3) Chris Cuomo felled by investigation after helping Andrew grapple with allegations
(4) Investigation of Chris Cuomo finds Jeff Zucker relationship w Gollust