Watch Megyn Kelly’s Emotional Fox News Farewell: ‘This Was a Tough Decision’ (Video)

“I’ve grown up here and been given every chance a young reporter could have ever asked for,” the “Kelly Files” host says as she departs for NBC News

To close out her first show after announcing that she is departing Fox News for NBC News, Megyn Kelly had a very special message for her millions of viewers.

“Finally tonight, a personal and professional note, from me to you. After more than a dozen years at Fox News, I have decided to pursue a new challenge,” the “Kelly Files” host said Tuesday night. “This was a tough decision for me because I love this show, our staff, my crew, my colleagues here at Fox — and you, all of you,” she said.

“Those who write me the lovely hand-written notes asking about my kids, and even those who very rarely complain on Twitter about our coverage after a show or a presidential debate,” Kelly quipped referring to her run-ins with President-Elect Donald Trump.

The network veteran shared the news of her impending career move in a Facebook post earlier Tuesday, revealing that she will leave Fox News at the end of the week for a new position with NBC News.

Referencing the importance of the human connection, “the truth is I need more of that in my life,” she explained. “In particular when it comes to my children, who are 7, 5 and 3.”

“So I’ll be leaving Fox News at the week’s end and starting a new adventure, joining the journalists at NBC News, who I deeply admire,” Kelly, 46, said, detailing how she will anchor a daytime show and a Sunday night news magazine.

“I am very grateful for NBC for this opportunity — and I am deeply thankful to Fox News for the wonderful 12 years I’ve had here,” she said. “I’ve grown up here and been given every chance a young reporter could have ever asked for. The Murdoch family has been kind and good to me at every turn,” she continued.

“I will miss them, and this show and you — and hope our human connection continues.”

NBCUniversal News Group chairman Andrew Lack announced earlier Tuesday that Kelly would join NBC News later this year. Details about both of Kelly’s news programs will be unveiled in the coming months, according to NBC.

Kelly has been a Fox News star for several years, but emerged as a household name when she feuded with President-elect Donald Trump during the 2015-16 GOP primary. It was a one-sided dispute, as Trump attacked Kelly on Twitter because he did not like a question she asked regarding his treatment of women during a Republican primary debate on Fox News in August 2015.

Kelly did not publicly fight back, but former Fox News boss Roger Ailes defended her throughout the ordeal.

Since landing her prime-time gig in 2003, the anchor and host built “The Kelly File” into a ratings darling, finishing 2016 as the second-highest rated show in cable news, behind only her lead-in, “The O’Reilly Factor.”

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