Sawyer Cries in GMA Sendoff

“And for one more time, good morning America,” Diane Sawyer proclaimed this morning, in her emotional final appearance on ABC’s morning show. Sawyer said she’d try to rein in the emotion, but co-host Robin Roberts warned the audience to “put on some waterproof mascara, because we will share the joys of happiness and appreciation for the queen of morning television.”

“My heart is smiling,” Sawyer told the audience. “The privilege of sharing my mornings with all of you has been more than I can say.” From there the show went into a highlight reel of Sawyer’s best moments, notes the Daily News. In the final hour, friends and well-wishers poured into the studio, including 25 children whose parents had died on 9/11. Sawyer had covered them at the time, when they were infants. “Can we have a giant group hug?” asked Sawyer as the show ended. (More Diane Sawyer leaving Good Morning America stories.)