13 May 2013

Barbara Walters announces retirement

8:25 pm on 13 May 2013

Barbara Walters is to retire from television journalism next year.

The 83-year-old veteran American news journalist began her on-screen career 52 years ago.

In 1976, she became the first female anchor on an evening news programme, the BBC reports.

Her many exclusives included the first joint interview with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

In a statement, Ms Walters she said no one was more surprised by her on-screen success than herself, adding that she wasn't beautiful like many of the women on TV.