What Barbara Walters Was Doing In Her Final Years

Barbara Walters ended her historic career on her own terms when she announced her retirement in 2014. She said at the time (via NBC News), "I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain. 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." ABC, which had been her home for so many decades, honored the journalist by dedicating its news building to her (via "Good Morning America"). At the dedication ceremony, she recalled that she first met Bob Iger, now chief executive of The Walt Disney Company again, when he was just a page at ABC. "And I am so glad that I was nice to him, otherwise they would be naming a loading dock after me," Walters joked.

In September 2021, the hosts of "The View" paid tribute to Walters' 92nd birthday, sharing memories and thanking her for creating the all-woman forum (per People). Insiders also told Radar Online that Walters allegedly wanted to throw a birthday party for herself at the time and invite some of her closest friends. "Barbara had a burst of energy and wanted to make plans, but by the next day, it was forgotten," a source told the outlet. The reason behind those canceled plans is a sad one indeed.