Barbara Walters, the legendary journalist and host of “The View,” knew when it was time to retire. In 2013, during her 16th season on the show, Walters asked ABC executive Anne Sweeney to write down the year 2014 on a piece of paper while they were having lunch together. It was her way of signaling that she planned to retire from her illustrious broadcast career.

Walters had faced numerous health setbacks, including a fall and a bout with chicken pox, but she was determined to continue working. However, as the year went on, her health started to deteriorate. One day, after the show ended, she collapsed into the arms of a stage manager and had to be rushed to the greenroom. Paramedics were called, and although Walters was concerned about the incident making headlines, she agreed to see a doctor.

As her retirement approached, there were celebrations and tributes to honor Walters’ remarkable career. ABC aired a two-hour special chronicling her accomplishments, the network renamed its headquarters in her honor, and her former co-hosts returned to “The View” to celebrate her final season. In May 2014, Walters bid farewell to the audience with a star-studded episode featuring Hillary Clinton, Michael Douglas, and Oprah Winfrey.

But retirement didn’t mean fading into the background for Walters. She made guest appearances on “The View” in the following years before finally settling into life as a retiree. She continued to leave her mark on the television industry, reminding us of her influence and impact.

Barbara Walters, the trailblazing journalist and pioneering host, left an indelible legacy. On Friday, she peacefully passed away at the age of 93 in her New York home. Her contributions to the world of journalism will always be remembered.