Barbara Walters announced tonight that she is retiring next summer. She told ABC News, “I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead both on ‘The View’ and with ABC News. I created ‘The View’ and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.†Then when she talked about what she will be doing after she says goodbye to television, “I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain,†Then she added, “I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women — and OK, some men too — who will be taking my place.â€
But before she says her goodbye, we will still be able to see her anchor and report for ABC News, appear on The View and anchor specials throughout the year including a 20 Years of 10 Most Fascinating People in December, an Oscars special, and a May career retrospective.
With all of that coming up, I am not sure if I will miss her yet. But what I do know, is what an amazing career the 83 year old has had. One any newsperson would dream to have.
UPDATE: Here is Barbara Walters talking about her retirement on The View:
