Maria Menounos Steps Down from E! News to Battle Brain Tumor

The entertainment news anchor underwent major surgery to remove golf ball-sized tumor.

July 3, 2017 11:46 am
TV host Maria Menounos arrives to the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Promise' at TCL Chinese Theatre.
TV host Maria Menounos arrives to the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Promise' at TCL Chinese Theatre.(Tara Ziemba/Getty Images)

Maria Menounos, an anchor at E! News, is stepping down from her role at the network as she faces treatment for a brain tumor.

She was diagnosed with a tumor in April, according to Variety, and underwent a recent seven-hour surgery to remove the growth, which was about the size of a golf ball.

Menounos told People that her face is still numb from the surgery.

“I am so grateful for the past three years at E!, I had such an amazing time co-hosting with Jason Kennedy and working everyday with the wonderful roster of talent on the show including producers, staff and crew,” said Menounos in a statement. “It was such a special, good-hearted group and one I’ll always consider family.”

Menounos has been with E! News since 2014 and worked as a correspondent for “Access Hollywood” and “Today” before becoming a co-anchor on the newsmagazine “Extra.”

She has also been active on the digital front with her personal newsletter and her daily “Conversations with Maria Menounos” series on SiriusXM.

It is unclear if she will continue to host her SiriusXM series.

Menounos mother, Litsa Menounos, is also battling brain cancer.

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