Barbara Walters Announces Retirement From The View

For a long time now there’s been rumors that Barbara Walters was on the verge of retiring from her role as a co-host on The View, and she finally came out and confirmed the rumors as true.

The 83-year-old Walters announced to fans that she plans on retiring from her gig in the Summer of 2014 to move to ABC News on Sunday night, which Walters linked to in a Twitter post, writing, “Big news – and I want to tell you first… (Looking forward to one more great year!)”

“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,” said Walters, who created the morning talk show in 1997. “I created ‘The View’ and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.”

ABC News also mentioned that Walters will remain on The View as a producer, even though she will no longer be a host.

“I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain,” she said. “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.’

I.M.