Barbara Walters, who has most famously presented the yearly "Most Fascinating People" segment and host on "The View" is retiring from television after a long and influential career in journalism. Walters, 84, will make her final appearance on her talk show "The View" on May 16. The May 16 show will be part of a daylong retirement celebration during which ABC News will name its New York headquarters after Walters. Walters will also be honored with an ABC News two-hour primetime news special as part of her official retirement. Walters officially announced her retirement last year and told ABC News at the time that she was excited "to find out if there's something I can do besides television." After her retirement from television in May, Walters will remain an executive producer of "The View," which she helped to launch in 1997.

Barbara Walters joined the ABC network in 1976 as the first female anchor on an evening news program. Three years later, she was named co-host of the program "20/20."

Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive of The Walt Disney Company said about Walters, "In this business there are legends, there are icons, and then there is Barbara Walters. 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."

Anne Sweeney, president of the Disney/ABC Television Group stated, "Barbara Walters was one of the first people I met as an ABC page almost 38 years ago. She was fiercely intelligent, impressive and inspiring then, and remains so to this day. I am honored that I've had the rare opportunity to work, and learn, from her all these years. Her influence on television, and American culture, will resonate for decades to come."