Anchor Jorge Ramos, one of the original founding members of Telemundo 47’s news operations in New York, today announced he is leaving the station where he has worked for almost 40 years.

Ramos announced his retirement earlier tonight to his colleagues who were gathered inside the Telemundo 47 newsroom.

He’ll anchor his final newscast on Friday, September 21, putting an end to an award-winning journalism career that spanned nearly five decades.

Winner of seven Emmys, the Puerto Rico native has been a fixture and one of the most recognizable faces in New York’s television news scene who has helped Telemundo 47 achieve many milestones, including historic ratings. In July, the 11 pm edition of Noticiero 47 Telemundo anchored by Ramos was ranked as the most-watched local newscast in the entire New York market, regardless of language, according to Nielsen.

Ramos began his career in the media in 1972, working at the radio station WKVM in Santurce, Puerto Rico.

He joined Telemundo 47 in 1979 as the station’s first field reporter. That same year, he was named anchor of Telemundo 47’s original news program “El Informador,” alongside his mentor, Eusebio Valls. Soon after, he succeeded Valls as the station’s lead news anchor, a position he has held ever since.

Since 1992, Ramos’ “Crímenes sin Resolver” segments led to the arrest of several suspects wanted for criminal acts. In 2003, the New York City Police Department and the Crime Stoppers program honored him for his assistance in resolving a 10-year-old crime.

“I want to thank Telemundo 47’s management for the trust they extended me throughout my many years at this wonderful station. I also will be forever thankful to my colleagues – the producers, writers, engineers, directors, reporters and especially my 6 pm and 11 pm anchor team,” Ramos said in a statement. “While the time has come to step away from the anchor desk and prepare for my next chapter of service to the community, I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving our viewers in a different but equally personal way. I look forward to sharing those plans soon.”

Telemundo 47 will celebrate Ramos’ career with a series of special segments airing during the evening newscasts throughout the week of September 17.

Edgardo Del Villar, who anchors Noticiero 47 Telemundo at 5 pm since October 2017, will replace Ramos.

He’ll start anchoring the 6 and 11 pm newscasts on Monday, September 24.

Del Villar previously worked for Telemundo network as a weekend anchor and correspondent.