Mary Louise Kelly Signs Off as All Things Considered Host

A farewell on the air

November 7, 2026 · 9:00 a.m. Central

Mary Louise Kelly hosted her final broadcast of NPR’s All Things Considered on Friday, closing a run on the afternoon news program while preparing to continue contributing interviews to the network.

Her co-hosts marked the departure in an on-air farewell, looking back at her work as an editor, national security reporter and host. Kelly told listeners thank you at the close of the segment.

She is stepping away from the hosting role, not disappearing from NPR’s airwaves, her colleagues said.

From editor to host

Kelly’s association with All Things Considered began as an editor in 2001, according to the program’s farewell. She edited the show for three years before returning to reporting and developing NPR’s intelligence beat.

A 2018 KQED program guide announced her selection as a host of the program following Robert Siegel’s departure. Her work on the broadcast brought interviews and reporting on national security, international affairs and other stories to a daily audience.

What comes next

In an October 2 post, Kelly said she was stepping down as host of both All Things Considered and the national security podcast Sources & Methods. She said she would continue to contribute interviews to NPR.

The farewell did not identify a successor or give a schedule for future contributions. NPR listeners can still hear the program with its remaining hosts.

A career in dates

2001: Kelly joined All Things Considered as an editor, according to NPR’s farewell.
2018: KQED’s program guide announced her selection as a host.
October 2, 2026: Kelly announced her planned departure from the hosting roles.
November 6, 2026: Kelly hosted her final All Things Considered broadcast.