Dagmar Midcap puts in her notice at WGCL-TV
Dagmar Midcap in 2008. CREDIT: Hyosub Shin/AJC
Dagmar Midcap, the popular weather reader on CBS affiliate WGCL-TV, turned in her notice with the TV station this morning.
Her bosses weren’t there so she’s not sure when her last day will be. Reached Friday afternoon, Steve Schwaid, WGCL-TV news director, said she is still under contract and had no other comment.
Midcap, who arrived at WGCL in 2007, said the death of her boyfriend, who took his own life in July 2009, precipitated this departure. (For respect for the family, she requested we not release his name.)
She has been meeting with a grief counselor and therapists to grapple with her loss. She has nightmares and has been unable to sleep soundly. She said she takes medication and sleep aids.
“I can’t keep doing that,” she said. “It’s starting to affect me on the air. I can’t think on the air.”
She said she also may have some stress-related vocal cord damage she’s worried might be permanent.
“Doctors told me my body is breaking down,” she said in an emotional interview at the Silver Skillet in Midtown Friday just minutes after she had handed in her resignation. “I can’t stay here. It’s too difficult for me to move forward.”
She said WGCL has been a wonderful opportunity, but she said she can’t cope with being in the city where she fell in love, where everything reminds her of her late boyfriend.
In March 31, 2008, just a year after arriving at the station, she signed a four-year contract through 2012. (She said the station wanted her to stay five.) The station and viewers embraced her. After moving her to evenings, management plastered her face on billboards.
“My job has been to make people happy,” she said. The notes she’s gotten, from the 100-year-old man to the 20-year-old woman, say “I gave them joy at the end of the day, a smile. That was my job.” After his death, “it was difficult to find that joy.”
She said she has been negotiating the past few months to get out of her contract early but had been unable to come up with a date both sides could mutually agree on.
Midcap met her boyfriend in 2007 soon after she arrived. He was a neighbor. They fell in love almost immediately. Their first date was Martinis & Imax at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. They visited Stone Mountain Park, a favorite spot for him.
“We were inseparable,” she said. “He was everything to me. He was my best friend.”
But she sensed his fragility and tried to open up his world. They traveled to Charleston, S.C., Asheville, N.C., Seaside, Fla, and the North Georgia mountains. She bought a home just outside Decatur in hopes he would join her.
The last time she saw him, she said, he had arrived at her home, flowers and an apple pie from Whole Foods in hand. He apologized to her for his negativity and promised they’d always be together. “I thought he was making a breakthrough,” she said. “I didn’t understand what he was really saying.”
Midcap found out about his death July 2009, during the 4 p.m. newscast in her news director’s office. She collapsed in shock. She stayed off air for 11 days.
Coming back, she said, was incredibly difficult. But she put on a happy face and viewers hardly noticed until six months later. “I had one bad night. I wasn’t as perky. I was on the verge of tears on the air,” she said.
Colleagues, though, noticed her withdrawn behavior off air. She’d sometimes cry at her desk, she said.
Two weeks ago, she visited R. Thomas, a restaurant she and her boyfriend enjoyed. It was an attempt to try to get past the pain, she said. Instead, she got sick.
She isn’t sure what her plans are next. She said she has no job in hand and isn’t sure where she is going, though the West Coast is likely. She had worked in Los Angeles and her hometown of Vancouver before coming to Atlanta.
“I have no manager,” she said. “I’ve got nothing.”
Later, in a moment of humor, she added, “I may be picking grapefruits out there. But I’ll do what I need to do that’s right for me. I have to take my health into account.”
One thing she knows she’ll do is work with animals. “They have no malice,” she said, her face lighting up momentarily. “They need our help. They do what they do.”
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304 comments Add your comment
aldga2010
September 4th, 2010
9:05 am
Dagmar, look up! God can give you the peace that you need. Just seek Him!
LAKIEL
September 4th, 2010
9:07 am
awww, and i just started watching cbs. Ive said this was the best darn weather reporter ive see. I like your spirit , I can tell that you are a very good person. Get WELL
HENRY
September 4th, 2010
9:45 am
I TEARED UP WHEN I READ THIS AND I’M AN OLD MAN. I WISH HER THE BEST. THANKS FOR THE TIME WE HAD HER.
Vick=Dog killing Thug
September 4th, 2010
10:02 am
What a sad story and great person Dagmar seems to be. I’m so touched by this. Good move working with animals. They so need our help. I’ve helped out at many a dog shelter and nothing makes you feel more useful.
All the best to you Dagmar…
james
September 4th, 2010
10:04 am
o god you will be miss
james
September 4th, 2010
10:07 am
you will be miss so much good luck
Jan M
September 4th, 2010
10:19 am
Dagmar has been a joyful presence on air. I am so sorry for this sadness to come into your life. I pray that you are able to take the time you need. God bless.
Linda Moore
September 4th, 2010
10:20 am
Dagmar, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I lost my husband in a car accident and had to move out of Atlanta because I just wasn’t healing with all the reminders of him everywhere. So I completely understand that you need to start over somewhere else. You will heal, trust me, but it takes time and you can’t put a time limit on grief. Where ever you go seek out professionals that can help you and just take your time and heal at your own pace, but just know that you will heal. I’m so sorry that, that on top of everything else, you’ve had to deal with a very insensitive employer. I know they will lose viewers over this. You will come out on top, just do it at your own pace. God bless you and I wish you tons of happiness in the future.
Cynthia
September 4th, 2010
10:48 am
This is truly a touching story of Dagmar Midcap. I am confident in saying that the Atlanta viewers will Miss You. Take care and best wishes on a fresh start!
Truth
September 4th, 2010
10:52 am
wow, looked like she had the perfect life and would have been the best girl friend. then her boyfriend kills himself. life isn’t what it seems.
Regina
September 4th, 2010
11:02 am
Take care of yourself. You are in my prayers. My sympathies for your loss.
Carol
September 4th, 2010
11:11 am
You will be missed. I hope you are able to surround yourself with family and friends to help you heal from your loss. A new start may be best where you already have loving roots.
james chapman
September 4th, 2010
11:14 am
Being followers of Jesus Christ, my wife and I have a great marriage…one in which we are able to see the beauty in all of Gods creation including people and animals. Dagmar you brought joy and laughter and beauty into our lives. You will truly be missed. Also as I am a vegan and my wife and I are both animal lovers we appreciate your natural approach to eating and living. Having seen the beauty of Alberta and British Columbia we knew that only a place like Atlanta could attract someone such as yourself. As you struggle with your loss we want to encourage you to seek the One True God Who appeared with Daniel in the lions den and brought him through safely and securely. Just as you know that God provides healing and prevention through whole vegan diets so too The Creator of them is a Healer of our whole being. And always remember that your loved one is not forever lost because as the Word says in I Timothy 4: 10-11..We rely on the Living God Who is the Saviour of ALL…….In the end God WILL RAISE HIM UP TO A BEAUTIFUL LIFE EVERLASTING! Please know that you are in our prayers and we hope you will grace us with joy unspeakable in the future… Love in Christ, James and Sharon Chapman
Ron
September 4th, 2010
11:14 am
You were my favorite and watched you every day. Not only a beautiful woman but a senitive and caring human being. Time will heal. Wish you the best.
Margaret
September 4th, 2010
11:22 am
Be strong, Dagmar. As the old general once said, this is not the hill you want to die on.
Buckeye
September 4th, 2010
11:26 am
Dagmar, You are the only reason I watched the News!!! Your smile on nightly news was my “night cap”! I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope you find peace.
Claude
September 4th, 2010
11:28 am
Dagmar, you have brought a ray of sunshine into our lives with every broadcast. You will be greatly missed.
David P
September 4th, 2010
11:35 am
Dagmar, what else can be said that hasn’t already been said? My heart and my prayers are with you as you go through this valley in your life. With all sincerity I want to wish you well wherever you go. You are and will continue to be a very lovely and dear person to me and to all Georgians who have had the privilege of seeing you on tv. You are truly loved and will always have a warm spot in our hearts. May God Bless you.
Garry Owen
September 4th, 2010
11:52 am
We will miss you. We pray you will find peace once again.
KEL
September 4th, 2010
12:16 pm
So sorry to hear of Dagmar’s situation. I hope she finds the right kind of care to help her through this. She certainly brightened my day, I will miss her smile and her winking at me through the TV.
Jack
September 4th, 2010
12:21 pm
Best of luck to you, Dagmar. You’ll be in thoughts and prayers of many Atlantans who watched you on air and now, thanks to Rodney with this article, know of this tragedy and are deeply moved by your grace and kind soul.
Shane
September 4th, 2010
12:33 pm
I can only wish her the best and tell her she will be missed. God bless you Dagmar.
Mimi
September 4th, 2010
12:37 pm
Dagmar, like everyone else has said, you ARE the best in many, many ways. You have been and probably always will be the BEST person that Atlanta TV and radio has ever had. I suffered through a 4 year severe depression and I could not hide it. You were strong to have covered it so well but in doing that you were hurting yourself. Revealing your story is a great beginning to your healing. Now that everyone knows and you know how much you are loved and respected here, I truly believe it will help you heal. It is always better to share a burden. With God’s love and Atlanta’s love, I hope you will find some peace. You bring such joy to so many people and losing you is like losing a loved one. I pray that CBS46 will do whatever is necessary to keep you until you are ready to be back on the air. May GOD Bless you always!
Eve
September 4th, 2010
1:16 pm
I had no idea that she was going through all of this pain. I just returned to the area a few months ago. So sorry to hear this, Dagmar. I always thought that you were such a beautiful person – both inside and outside. I will miss your broadcast; however, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do. Keep up your good work with animals because they need an advocate like you. I pray for the best for you, your family, and your true love’s family. God bless!
Fellow Atlantan
September 4th, 2010
1:40 pm
Dagmar, God can heal your pain. Seek him and he will show you what to do.
Charles Emory
September 4th, 2010
1:43 pm
My dear lady, I’m sure many besides me share your hurt. There is no greater pain than that which you are having to bear – the pain caused by a tragic turn of events which you neither caused nor had control over. His permanent solution to whatever his internal problem might have been – only God knows – left others reeling into a state of mental anguish from which no one ever fully recovers but with which one must eventually cope and go on with life. I feel sympathy, yea empathy, toward you and his family, but I feel anger toward his mental illness – perhaps him too but that is not a judgment I can make inasmuch as I never knew him. Yet, life goes on for those who are left to cope with the internal consequences of a terrible error of judgment. BUT, your healing process will one day, sooner I hope rather than later, will include coming to terms with your anger toward him – healthy anger which of healing necessity MUST occur – and finally your forgiveness of him for what he has put you and his family through! One day you will come to realize that HE is responsible for his actions and that HE did this dastardly deed to himself and that HE made you a victim of his momentary insanity. Once this process transpires, you will be freed from the pit of despair he has thrown you into and will resume your life as it was meant to be. Until then, our prayers will be for your healing and awareness that we really do care!
Arlene
September 4th, 2010
2:24 pm
A big loss to Atlanta media, but I think something bigger and better awaits Ms. Midcap whenever she’s ready. And I do think she will be after a sabbatical to take care of herself. Reading this story, I was reminded of a short biography I once read about Betty White — always an animal lover, she became even more so after the death of her beloved husband. White’s public persona has always been of cheerfulness, but I think the fullness of spirit she displays now is one reason she’s become so popular recently. I see that outcome for Dagmar too, at some point. My advice? Godspeed to you, and when you’re ready to once again be in the public eye, Dagmar … go big!
Sonya
September 4th, 2010
2:35 pm
I commend her for taking the steps to begin to take care of herself. She obviously did not take leaving the station lightly. It never ceases to amaze me, when corporations fail to recognize their employees are REAL people beyond the smile and revenue. In making this non-optional decision to care for her own health, mentally and emotionally as well as physically she should be encouraged and
supported! Mental illness, stress and depression are not to be taken lightly! Come on, do the right thing CBS 46! It makes me wonder how this organization treats other ee’s with less of a spotlight. I wish her much success on her journey…
marie
September 4th, 2010
2:39 pm
I’m so sorry..God bless you
OUM
September 4th, 2010
4:06 pm
Well shoot, sorry to hear of all this. She will be missed, and I hope she finds her way in the world!
/..
Tim
September 4th, 2010
4:42 pm
Peace, stay strong and thank you.
Hal
September 4th, 2010
7:31 pm
Dagmar – you will certainly be missed. May I politely take issue with you saying “I have nothing?” You have brains, beauty, a fabulous sense of humor and the ability to bring joy to others. You have a gift and talent. Good luck to you in whatever you choose next.
RHB
September 4th, 2010
8:17 pm
This is Atlanta’s loss. I’m sorry to hear the circumstances of your departure. You were the only reason to watch 46 news and now you are gone. Now the weather will only be the weather. I’m bummed.
cnash
September 4th, 2010
9:22 pm
dagmar, good luck you did make me smile. be free and find your way god has great plans for you.
Don H
September 4th, 2010
10:47 pm
This is all so sad and I can’t imagine the pain she is going thru. Dagmar has such a great heart and really is a wonderful person. I contacted her a couple of years ago when a very good friend of mine from Richmond B.C. was having his birthday. I asked her for a autographed picture for him and for a donation to the local SPCA she would send me one. The picture arrived and besides that she called him from Atlanta to wish him the best on his birthday. My friend had a difficult time at first believing it was Dagmar and still thinks that was so cool. She is special and I really wish the VERY best for her.
A Friend
September 4th, 2010
11:43 pm
I feel sorry for Dagmar, and I love her too.
Neil Millman
September 5th, 2010
12:15 am
Kudos to Dagmar for having the courage to admit that things are not well in her life. One hopes that she gets the help she needs so she can move forward. Once she is better I hope she will relate her experience to help others who are facing depression. I will be checking grapefruits for weather forecasts.
GBJ
September 5th, 2010
10:43 am
Dagmar has the outward beauty to make mountains crumble. What makes her special is she’s prettier on the inside. Face your fears Dagmar.
dianne
September 5th, 2010
12:31 pm
We are so sad to hear about your leaving Dagmar. We always looked forward to your happy smile. Now knowing the circumstances, we understand your pain, in having to put on those smiles daily.
We will keep you in our prayers, that you find a “peaceful” place to live, and can one day move forward, hopefully by continuing your counselling.
Working with animals is a wonderful way to overcome your sadness. They love unconditionally, and always make you feel like smiling.
God Bless you Dagmar, and good luck in your new adventure.
This too shall pass !
September 5th, 2010
1:45 pm
Dagmar, your beauty and wonderful spirit shines through every WGCL-TV broadcast. You are a true professional. My prayers are with you during this transitional period of your life and the life of your love one. You are a precious jewel and I see only a bright future ahead for you. Keep your head up and keep smiling.
darcy
September 5th, 2010
8:40 pm
Dagmar, I really miss seeing your happy face on Ch 46 news. I love to watch you do the weather. You actually make it interesting to watch. I’m so sorry to hear of your lost. I pray that God will bring you through and to the other bright side of things.What you need is time to mourn and it seems from the story above you have not yet done that, so my advice is to take that time to mourn so you may move on to that better place. They pain of it may soften but the memories will remain for you and only you to deal with the way you need to deal with it.
God Bless You
Brad
September 5th, 2010
10:05 pm
Dagmar, your idea about working with the animals is right on track. The animals will love your pain away, little by little. We love you and want you to be whole.
tore
September 5th, 2010
11:09 pm
Dagmar I will miss your beautiful spirit here in Atlanta. Please be strong and get your health back to where it needs to be. We all love you and wish you the best.
Virginia Connor
September 6th, 2010
12:50 am
I will pray for you, even though I can’t imagine what I’d do in your case. The Lord will heal you in time and you’ll be happy again one of these days. I’ll miss you and wonder if the next weatherperson will be as exuberant as you!
Eric
September 6th, 2010
3:21 am
Dagmar, I’m sorry to hear that you’re leaving us… and I’m sorry to hear about what you’ve been going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and friends.
Even though I never met you or knew you… Your personality is larger than life. I enjoyed seeing your weather forecasts, the Better Wheels segments, and your passion for animals. I pray that the Good Lord upstairs in Heaven will heal you, and make you whole again. I pray that you’ll find peace and happiness in whatever the future may hold for you.
Love you and Godspeed, Dagmar.
maryline
September 6th, 2010
9:49 am
Dagmar. You said textually..I have nothing…… No matter if life is hard at times, you belong to yourself. You have the power to make your life happier everyday..or, you decide to be unhappy. Dagmar, take a year vacation, make special reports in Europe or around the world so you will be away buy keep your energy up, fly and go up. Your mind and your pofessional life are very important, take time, get relief and keep your smile. Life is good. Make your decision, he had everything with you and made his own decision. Your decision should be moving on and be happy.
sr cirtizen dawg
September 6th, 2010
11:03 am
May God Bless and comfort you and may you find the strength and love you need and deserve. You have made a lot of viewers happy with your performance and you will be missed.
William:)
September 6th, 2010
11:54 am
Dagmar,
My wife and I could be doing some mundane chores such as paying the bills, house work, … and then you would grace our t.v. screen and make the stresses go away. Really, we would just stop to hear your voice and realize that the world outside of us was not as important as the life inside our home. We have never met, but you definitely have a gift. May God bless you because he/she has blessed us in giving you to us for brief segments of time. I truly believe that you have a higher calling than t.v. news. Many are called, but few are chosen.
Bazinga
September 6th, 2010
12:32 pm
Dagmar, my prayers are with you during this difficult time in your life.
Your smile and uplifting personality were the reasons I watched that channel. I will miss you.
However, God is with you and will take good care of you.
Dana
September 6th, 2010
2:31 pm
Wow she put up a great front. I wish her the very best but I hope that she learns to except that none of us our here forever and our expiration date is unknown. God’s plan for you was not predicated on your boyfriends existance. You are very talented and a bright spirit keep living and count your blessings.