This is what I want to do," Walters told her audience, which in the studio included Disney CEO (and therefore head of ABC) Bob Iger – who suggested once he also retires that both he and Walters go on Dancing with the Stars.Fellow Bostonian Michael Bloomberg – who now happens to be Mayor of New York City – also showed up, and told Walters she is his hero. Text Size - 
 
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 “I’m perfectly healthy, this is my decision,” Walters, 83, said. She’ll continue to be a co-executive producer of the show and will be involved in selecting new co-hosts to replace Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I want instead to sit in a sunny field and admire the very gifted women, and, okay, some men, too, who will be taking my place.” 
 
 “I’ve had an amazing career — beyond anything I could have imagined,” she added. “Well this guy fought his way into the building, we couldn’t find any other way not to let him come out and say a few things. “You always — it always annoyed me, you talk about you want to interview the people that really made a difference, and you are one of those that did make a difference, everybody should be interviewing you.” 
 
 “I love you,” Walters replied. “Even if you don’t like very tall soft drinks.” 
 
 Bloomberg then highlighted Walters’ groundbreaking career, praising her for redefining the way television journalism is now done. Three years later, she became a co-host of ABC's 20/20 newsmagazine.Before coming to ABC, she spent 15 years at NBC News, where she was a co-host of the Today show – after first only being hired for 13 weeks, she pointed out on Monday's The View.After that, she interviewed world leaders, movie stars from Bette Davis to Angelina Jolie and every President and First Lady from the Nixons to the Obamas. I created The View and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.” 
 
 ABC News president Ben Sherwood added: "There's only one Barbara Walters. I remember reaching toward him at the end of one broadcast, in a friendly manner, just to touch him on the arm. Hasselbeck has yet to confirm that she’s leaving the show.
– As expected, Barbara Walters today announced the end of a broadcasting career that began during the Truman administration, People reports. "Let me just say I have been on television continuously for over 50 years," Walters said on The View today, adding that she is "perfectly healthy" and this is her decision and she's "very happy" with it. The veteran journalist, who has been at ABC for nearly 40 years and will be 84 this fall, plans to step down from The View next summer, but will stay on as executive producer and will be involved in selecting new co-hosts after Joy Behar leaves the show, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Rumors of Walters' retirement began in March following health scares including a fall at the British ambassador's residence and a bout of chicken pox. "I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead both on The View and with ABC News," she said in a statement issued by the network. "I created The View and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it." New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg made an appearance on The View today, telling Walters she is his hero. As for what she'll do next? She might make occasional appearances on TV, Politico reports, but mostly, she said today, "I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women—and, OK, some men, too—who will be taking my place."