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"After a groundbreaking, half-century-long career in TV journalism, Barbara Walters, 83, has decided to retire from the industry that made her a household name. Sunday night, the legendary news anchor announced that she&amp;#039;ll be hanging up her proverbial hat next summer, but not before spending one final year with ABC News and The View. In a story posted last night on ABCNews.Go.com, Walters said, &amp;quot;I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead\u2026 I created The View and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.&amp;quot; Barbara Walters has paved the way for women in television, beginning her illustrious career in 1961 as a reporter, writer and panel member on NBC&amp;#039;s Today show. In 1976, she made the switch to ABC, and that same year, became the first woman to host an evening newscast, alongside Harry Reasoner, on the ABC Evening News. In the following years, Walters launched The Barbara Walters Specials and 10 Most Fascinating People. Over the decades, she has interviewed countless celebrities and people of interest, including every US president and first lady since Richard and Pat Nixon. Walters has maintained mostly optimal health, although she did undergo surgery three years ago to repair a heart valve. She also experienced a minor health scare in January, after tripping on a stair at the British ambassador&amp;#039;s residence in Washington, DC. However, Walters&amp;#039;s decision to retire isn&amp;#039;t health-related, but instead, strictly for her own personal peace. &amp;quot;I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain,&amp;quot; Walters explained. &amp;quot;I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women\u2014and OK, some men, too\u2014who will be taking my place.&amp;quot; What will you miss most about watching Walters on TV? Comment below. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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