ABC Announces Barbara Walters' Last Day, Week-Long Series of Events to Honor Her

Barbara Walters will officially vacate her chair on The View on Friday, May 16, ABC has announced.

As part of her final scheduled appearance, the network has planned a week-long series of events. Following her last day as co-host, ABC will air a two-hour special (May 16 at 9/8c), ABC: A Barbara Celebration, honoring the broadcasting icon and trailblazer. Finally, ABC News Headquarters in New York City will be named in her honor during a dedication ceremony.

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"In this business there are legends, there are icons, and then there is Barbara Walters," Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive of The Walt Disney Company, said. "She's a dear friend and colleague as well as someone I deeply admire, and it's impossible to fully convey her impact and influence on television. She broke barriers, defied convention, made history and set the standard for journalistic excellence for more than 50 years.  It's hard to imagine television without her."

Walters began her career as a writer and then on-air reporter for Today in 1961. In 1974, she became the show's first female co-host. She later joined ABC News in 1976.

Will you miss Barbara on TV?