Leigh Sales, who has been in the position for almost 12 years, signed off for the final time at 7.30.
After announcing her shocking resignation earlier this year, the longtime presenter of ABC’s flagship current affairs program will take six months off to spend quality time with her two young sons.
The night of ABC’s 90th birthday celebrations also featured Sales’ goodbye.
Prior to spending several hours in the hair and makeup chair on her final day, she started the morning with a Krispy Kreme donut and coffee from 7-11.
Before the broadcast, she was seen having a celebration with friends, family, and coworkers at ABC’s Sydney offices. She briefly went outside to meet and embrace her sons.
At the beginning of Thursday night’s show, a composed Sales introduced the first section right away, which was about the 1994 fatal bombing of the National Crime Authority’s Adelaide headquarters.
She didn’t announce her leaving until the final three minutes of the show, when she was fighting to stay composed and hold back tears.
Sales said, “Tonight is my final edition of 7:30 as anchor.”
“A special episode of 7:30 will air tomorrow night, looking back over the many, many years.
“I have enjoyed every second.” It has truly been a privilege.
I appreciate your presence, good night.
Sales made the decision to forgo wearing the Member of the Order of Australia pin she typically wears for important interviews and events, such as her shocking resignation and her last interview with former prime minister Scott Morrison before the most recent election.
As some of Sales’ interview subjects paid tribute, a select group of her friends, coworkers, and family gathered at ABC’s Ultimo studios on Thursday night for a farewell celebration that would begin after the cameras stopped rolling.
Leigh Sales is a tenacious journalist who is intelligent, thorough, kind, and persistent. Leigh, thank you for your many years of grueling interviews on 70; your pursuit of the truth has improved Australians’ understanding of both our nation and the wider world. Tanya Plibersek, the federal environment minister, tweeted, “All the best for what’s ahead.”
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers continued, “Leigh Sales has been a feisty, formidable, and classy inquisitor for a dozen years on @730 and earlier on Lateline.
Being interviewed by her was a big deal (and frequently a relief when it was finished!). A true professional and legend in every sense. Leigh, best wishes.
Media industry colleagues also paid tribute.
“Goodbye, Leigh Sales. Journalist Kate McClymont tweeted, “A true professional and a class act always.”
Sales’ understated exit from the show left some viewers feeling let down.
Leigh Sales received a very mediocre send-off at 7.30. No flowers even
Because “nothing amazing ever happens on your last day,” Sales started her last day by purchasing an early morning donut and coffee from 7-11 while wearing no makeup and wearing casual clothing.
Later, she shared a picture of her orange dress hanging in the closet as well as many videos of her joking around with her longtime stylist and makeup artist Christopher Sall while getting her hair done.
We’re trying to do something even though this is simply another day, she says.
In fact, we were channeling advice you might have heard in the past, such “don’t make a fool of yourself.”
It’s amusing since nowadays nobody cares about creating a spectacle. Look at us now; we’re already being made a spectacle of.
‘As usual, we’ve had a few chuckles chatting gibberish.
Being the host of ABC’s 7:30, originally The 7:30 Report, is regarded as one of the most difficult and prominent television jobs in Australia.
The long-time anchor startled fans earlier this year when she abruptly announced her departure from the position, citing her “two lovely little boys’” desire to spend more time with their mother as the driving force for her choice.
James and Daniel, now 8 and 11 years old, have always known that their mother works four evenings a week.
I started my new position on December 3, 2010. I’ve been in this position for 12 years.
It’s been five prime ministers since then. Sales remarked to viewers at the time, “It seems like so long ago when Donald Trump was simply a man with a horrible orange hairdo hosting The Apprentice.
There is nothing wrong other than the fact that I have a strong want to hand the race’s baton to the following competitor and take a rest.
It seems like a decent moment to start something new at the ABC after an election cycle.
“I didn’t have kids when I initially started,” she said. I currently have two boys, ages 10 and 8. They have only ever known their mother four evenings a week while she was at work.
They want me to bring them home before 8.30 p.m., which I don’t think is too much to ask of two little boys—especially when you consider how adorable they are.
According to her, she had “tried to shut down and call out bull****, hold powerful people accountable, expose lies, incompetence, and exaggeration in all political parties and all topics, and reveal facts even when they’re unpopular or uncomfortable.”
On Friday night, an ABC show about Sales will premiere.