By DYLAN BYERS, POLITICO – Barbara Walters, the veteran newscaster and television personality, will retire next summer, ABC News announced late Sunday night.

Walters, who has spent almost four decades in television journalism, will announce the news on “The View” on Monday. The announcement confirms recent reports from several entertainment news outlets, and comes on the heels of a six-week break Walters took due to illness.

“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,” Walters said in a statement. “I created ‘The View’ and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.”

Walters began her career at NBC’s “Today Show” in 1961 and joined ABC “Evening News” fifteen years later, becoming the first woman to anchor an evening newscast. She became a co-host of “20/20” in 1979; she created “The View” in 1997.

Walters will remain Executive Producer of “The View.” For the next year, she will continue to anchor and report for ABC News, appear on “The View,” and anchor specials.

via Barbara Walters to retire in 2014 – POLITICO.com.