Barbara Walters To Announce Retirement

Walters 1970

Veteran ABC News journalist Barbara Walters will be announcing on The View today (May 13th) that she'll be retiring next summer, with ABC saying late last night that until then, Walters will continue to anchor and report for the network, anchor specials, and appear on The View. She will also remain executive producer of the weekday talk show.

The 83-year-old Walters said, "I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead. 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."

Walters spent 37 years at ABC News, joining the network in 1976 when she become the first female co-anchor on an evening news program. Before than, she spent 15 years at NBC News, where she was a co-host of the Today show.

Tom's Take: A broadcast pro, Barbara Walters waited until the May sweeps to confirm her retirement.