Truth rating: 10
10:13 pm, May 12th, 2013
(GettyImages.com)
Barbara Walters has officially announced her retirement.
The journalist revealed late Sunday that she plans to leave TV news behind next year.
That will give her one more season on “The View” — where she will remain an executive producer after her on-air exit — and with ABC.
“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,” Walters says. “I created ‘The View’ and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.”
She adds, “I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain,” she says. “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’ retirement was rumored earlier this year, but in April, she shot down speculation that an announcement was imminent.
She was sidelined from her duties for a number of weeks in January and February, after suffering a serious head injury in a fall, and later contracting chicken pox.
Walters storied career began at the “Today Show” in 1961, and she went on to join ABC’s “Evening News” in 1976.
The broadcaster later became a “20/20″ co-host, and launched “The View” in 1997.
Gossip Cop will have updates.
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