Barbara Walters confirms 2014 retirement on The View

Barbara Walters has announced she will retire in 2014.

The ABC network said Barbara Walters, 83, has confirmed the plans on Monday’s edition of The View, the all-female daytime talk show she created in 1997.

Since her career began in 1961, Barbara Walters has interviewed Michael Jackson, Cuba’s Fidel Castro and every US president and first lady since Richard Nixon.

Barbara Walters was the first woman to anchor a daily network television news show in 1976.

“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,” Barbara Walters said in a statement.

“I created The View and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.

“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.”

Barbara Walters’ career in TV journalism began at NBC’s morning news and entertainment programme, The Today Show, which she co-hosted for 15 years before moving to rival network ABC to co-host the Evening News, a first for a female journalist.

ABC said in March Barbara Walters planned to retire in May 2014 after more than five decades as a prominent figure on US television.

On Sunday, ABC News president Ben Sherwood said: “There is only one Barbara Walters.”

“We look forward to making her final year on television as remarkable, path-breaking and news-making as Barbara herself,” he added.

Barbara Walters suffered periods of ill health over the past three years, including open heart surgery in 2010.

In January 2013, Barbara Walters suffered concussion after a fall, and was then diagnosed with chicken pox, causing her to miss more than a month of work.

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