Barbara Walters, the iconic journalist, knew when it was time to step away from the limelight. During her 16th season on “The View,” she had a fateful lunch with ABC executive Anne Sweeney. Cryptically, Walters asked Sweeney to write down the year 2014 on a piece of paper. It was March 2013, and Walters had just returned to the talk show after battling health setbacks. The paper held the key to her retirement plan.
The network, understandably, was afraid of losing Walters, the trailblazing newswoman who had created and co-hosted “The View” since 1997. But as the year progressed, Walters’ health continued to decline. It became evident that the 84-year-old couldn’t go on working.
One day, after the show ended, Walters collapsed into the arms of a stage manager. Paramedics were called, and she was taken to the greenroom. She was worried about this incident making headlines, but ultimately agreed to see a doctor. And true to her dedication, she was back on set the very next morning.
As Walters’ retirement drew near, it was a time of celebration and reflection. ABC aired a two-hour primetime special honoring her remarkable career. The network renamed their Upper West Side headquarters the Barbara Walters Building. Original “View” co-hosts, including Meredith Vieira and Star Jones, returned to the show to commemorate Walters’ 17th and final season.
In May 2014, Barbara Walters bid farewell to her audience with a star-studded final episode. Hillary Clinton, Michael Douglas, and Oprah Winfrey were among her special guests on this momentous occasion. As she said her goodbyes, Walters expressed her excitement about taking a deep breath and truly enjoying her well-deserved retirement.
However, Walters didn’t fade away for long. She made occasional appearances as a guest co-host in 2014 and 2015 before settling into her new life as a retiree. Her legacy as a pioneer in journalism and broadcasting continued to inspire and captivate audiences.
On Friday, the legendary Barbara Walters peacefully passed away at her home in New York at the age of 93. She leaves behind a profound impact on the world of journalism and a trail of inspiration for future generations.
