Barbara Walters to Retire From TV Journalism in 2014

The ABC veteran journalist will announce her
retirement on her show 'The View' on Monday.
Barbara Walters is
looking forward to
more relaxing days
next year. The 83-
year-old author
and television
personality has
told ABC News
that she will leave
TV journalism in
summer 2014.
"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,"
she says. "I created 'The View ' and am
delighted it will last beyond my leaving it."
ABC News President Ben Sherwood responds to
Walter's decision, "There's only one Barbara
Walters. And we look forward to making her
final year on television as remarkable, path-
breaking and news-making as Barbara herself.
Barbara will always have a home at ABC News
and we look forward to a year befitting her
brilliant career, filled with exclusive
interviews, great adventures and indelible
memories."
Walters will announce her retirement on "The
View" when the show airs Monday, May 13.
She will continue appearing on the talk show,
reporting for ABC News and serving as anchors
for ABC's specials throughout the year,
including a "20 Years of 10 Most Fascinating
People" special in December, an Oscars
special, and a May career retrospective.
The former host of "20/20" will still be
credited as an executive producer of "The
View" even after her retirement. She reveals
her plan after leaving TV journalism, "I do not
want to appear on another program or climb
another mountain. 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."
Rumor of Walters' retirement had sparked in
March this year, but she didn't confirm it.
"There were many reports last week that I was
retiring from ABC and there was an assumption
that I would be making an announcement
today. The paparazzi were outside my home
today... however, here I am, and I have no
announcement to make," she said on "The
View" at the time.
"The View" will also soon bid farewell to
another of its original hosts, Joy Behar, who is
set to leave the show at the end of the season.