ABC News veteran Barbara Walters is poised to officially announce her plans to retire in May 2014, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
“The View” co-creator will stay on the show through next season while it goes through the transition of replacing hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, sources say.
Ms. Walters, 84, fell and hit her head after contracting chicken pox, keeping her off the air for several weeks. A source assures the New York Daily News that her health has nothing to do with her decision to reitre.
ABC is reportedly planning a huge sendoff for Ms. Walters, with several primetime specials and retrospectives marking her career, a source close to the situation told the Daily News.
ABC News has declined comment on the matter, according to The Reporter.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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