Walters Announces Her Retirement on 'The View'

Pioneering TV news veteran Barbara Walters is telling viewers she is retiring in another year following a television career that began in 1961.

She wiped away tears on ABC's "The View" on Monday after a taped piece summarizing her career.

Walters said she wanted to leave while people are still saying "why is she leaving?" instead of "why doesn't she leave?'" Walters is 83 years old.

She joined ABC News in 1976 to become the first female co-anchor on an evening network news program.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg visited the set for Walters' announcement, along with a host of top ABC and Disney executives.