In 2014, after a remarkable career in broadcast journalism, Barbara Walters made the difficult decision to retire. At the age of 84, Walters knew it was time to step away from “The View,” the talk show she had co-created and co-hosted since 1997. But this decision was not an easy one for her or for the network.
Walters had faced numerous health setbacks, including a fall and a bout with chicken pox, which caused her to take a break from the show. During her absence, Walters asked ABC executive Anne Sweeney to write down the year 2014 on a piece of paper while they were having lunch together. When she returned a few months later, Walters informed Sweeney that 2014 was the year she planned to retire.
At first, the network was worried about losing Walters, who had been a trailblazer in the field of news journalism. She had created a successful and often controversial show with “The View.” But as time went on, it became clear that Walters’ health was deteriorating, and she could no longer continue working.
One day, after the show had ended, Walters collapsed into the arms of a stage manager. She had to be taken to the greenroom, where paramedics were called. Walters was concerned about the media seeing her on a stretcher, but she eventually agreed to see a doctor. The next morning, she was back on set, acting like it was business as usual.
As Walters’ retirement drew near, there was a lot of fanfare. ABC aired a special two-hour primetime show that chronicled her career. The network even renamed its headquarters the Barbara Walters Building to honor her contributions. Original “View” co-hosts, including Meredith Vieira and Star Jones, returned to celebrate Walters’ final season.
Walters’ last episode aired in May 2014, and it was filled with special guests like Hillary Clinton, Michael Douglas, and Oprah Winfrey. As she bid farewell to the audience, she expressed her excitement about taking a deep breath and enjoying her view.
But retirement didn’t keep Walters out of the spotlight for long. She returned as a guest co-host in the following years, making appearances throughout 2014 and 2015. Eventually, she settled into life as a retiree, enjoying a well-deserved rest.
Barbara Walters passed away on Friday at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking journalism and trailblazing in television. Her retirement marked the end of an era, but her impact on the industry will always be remembered.
