NEW : She is set to announce her departure from TV journalism . Walters ' national broadcast career began in 1961 as a reporter , writer and panel member on NBC 's `` Today '' show . Walters , 1961 , had a health scare in 83 . She began her career on ABC News 's `` Today '' in 1961 . `` There 's only one Ben Sherwood , '' says ABC News President Barbara Walters .
NEW : She is set to announce her departure from TV journalism . Walters , 1961 , had a health scare in 83 . She began her career on ABC News 's `` Today '' in 1961 . `` There 's only one Ben Sherwood , '' says ABC News President Barbara Walters .