Barbara Walters to Undergo Heart Valve Surgery

By PopEater Staff Posted May 10th 2010 12:36PM

During Monday's episode of 'The View,' Barbara Walters announced that she will soon undergo heart surgery. "Later this week, I'm going to have surgery to replace one faulty heart valve," Walters, 80, said.

She admitted she had only revealed the news to her 'View' co-hosts that morning. "You kept it secret very well, Barbara," Joy Behar said, and Walters explained, "I thought it best not to talk about it too far in advance."

Recovery can be anywhere from a month to three months, she said.

"You know how healthy I have been -- never missed a day's work," Walters said before noting that she has "known of this condition for a while now."

"Lot of people have done this and I have known about this condition for a while now. My doctors and I have decided that this is the best time to do the surgery," said Walters. "And since the summer is coming up, I can take a nice vacation. Earlier this morning, I told my wonderful and supportive pals here. And you kept it a secret until this very minute."

Whoopi Goldberg then asked if Walters was scared. "Nobody wants to have this kind of surgery," Walters replied.

"It's not elective, like getting your face lifted. But it's an operation that's done so often and I have very good doctors and the support and love of my daughter. I'm glad it's going to be over with. It's going to be taken care of," she added.

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Barbara Walters

Barbara Walters attends the Roundabout Theatre Company's 2010 Spring Gala at Studio 54 on March 22, 2010 in New York. More photos >>

John Lamparski/WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Barbara Walters Snapshots

In this Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 photo released by ABC, ABC's Barbara Walters is seen at a New York City hotel. Walters announced Monday, May 10, 2010 that she will have surgery later this week to replace a faulty heart valve. The television legend made the announcement Monday on ABC's "The View." (AP Photo/ABC, Steve Fenn, File) ** MAGS OUT; NO SALES **

Barbara Walters Snapshots

Barbara Walters attends the Roundabout Theatre Company?s 2010 Spring Gala at Studio 54 on March 22, 2010 in New York City. Roundabout Theatre Company�s 2010 Spring Gala Studio 54 New York, NY United States March 22, 2010 Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage.com To license this image (59982712), contact WireImage.com

Barbara Walters Snapshots

NEW YORK - MARCH 18: Media personalities Judge Judy Sheindlin and Barbara Walters attend the opening night of "All About Me" on Broadway at Henry Miller's Theatre on March 18, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Judy Sheindlin;Barbara Walters

Barbara Walters Snapshots

NEW YORK - MARCH 18: Media personality Barbara Walters attends the opening night of "All About Me" on Broadway at Henry Miller's Theatre on March 18, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Barbara Walters

Barbara Walters Snapshots

Daily Beast Editor Tina Brown and Barbara Walters attend day 2 of the "Women In The World: Stories and Solutions" Summit at Hudson Theatre on March 13, 2010 in New York City. "Women In The World: Stories And Solutions" Summit - Day 2 Hudson Theatre New York, NY United States March 13, 2010 Photo by Marc Bryan-Brown/WireImage.com To license this image (59903429), contact WireImage.com

Barbara Walters Snapshots

NEW YORK - MARCH 12: Journalist Barbara Walters attends the "Women In The World: Stories and Solutions" global summit at Hudson Theatre on March 12, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Barbara Walters

Barbara Walters Snapshots

© BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Journalist Barbara Walters is escorted out of "The Late Show with David Letterman" by a security guard holding an oversized umbrella. NON-EXCLUSIVE March 3, 2010 Job: 100303M5 New York, New York www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Barbara Walters Snapshots

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Comments

(57)

Monday 10 May

By themeeker

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I hope she gets better, but who even knew she HAD a heart?

By Deirdre

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

That was mean....

By shirley rasmussen

Where is your heart? Do you have one?

By travis

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@themeeker: I hope you are not a mean gay. I don't really get this whole hatred against Walters like she's Anna Wintour or something. You've been listening to your god Kathy Griffin way too much when this byotch fabricates a lot of stuff for her "reality" and stand-up material. Some true, most of it hearsay.

Best of health to you Ms. Barbara.

Tuesday 11 May

By BTDT

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Having been through open heart surgery, I can tell you it's no small thing.
I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Not even themeeker.

By mydownthere

It is a very painful surgery, and the recovery time is very tough. At her age, it will be even worse. I hope Barbara recovers without problems, and I really hope Elisabeth doesn't go to visit her at the hospital. She might just kill the 80 year-old.

By Chris

Whir you're there, why don't you have your "down there" sewn shut, so you stop speaking out of it.

By Bill Mandeville

Barbara,
My neighbor is going in for the same procedure July 19th......... positive thoughts and prayers to both.

By Lindi

best wishes to Barbara Walters, let us know how you are doing while recovering, Barbara.

By Bonbon

Time to retire after this one, she has been acting strange lately, she is just too old to do the show anymore, good luck Barbara but it is time to stay home and take care!

By S. Helene Lessuk

I loved Lena Horne and Martin and Nat King Cole were can I get the copy of the songs film etc Thank you

By Silv

Have you tried E-bay?

By Patty Morton

Barbara,
I wish you the very best and fast heeling. God is looking over you. I wish you a speedy recover. Enjoy your time off! I think you work way too hard. Maybe it's time you slowed down just a tad bit. I know....that's like talking to a brick wall. LOL

By Kathie S

She sure doesn't look 80 GOOD LUCK BARBARA !

By brooks

i wish her the best. had it done 4yrs ago and it changed my life for the better,....... it can be a good thing.

By johnny

what you say she never misses a day at work - please the woman works 2 days a week for an hour each day - give me a break and truthfully its time to give someone younger your job barbara - you should have retired years ago thats why they call it retirement for senior citizens

By quita

She needs to leave the View and let the younger ones continue that show. She has the shakes and often sounds confused. Too old to be on TV anymore!

By ManicD

Actually quita you're right she DOES need to leave the view. AND TAKE THE REST OF THOSE LEFT WING YENTAS WITH HER. There about as interesting as watching cement harden AND EVEN THAT HAS MORE SIDES TO IT THAN THAT ULTRA-LIBERAL COFFEE CLACH. YEAH, AND I DON'T CARE IF I SPELLED IT WRONG.

By dorisenow

Ok it's not that big of a news.....old people do get heart valve replacement by the thousands per day. It is kind of nice, for her to take a break and give us a break. I am sure she has the best doctors, either at Cleveland Clinic, that advice she probably didn't take, and she probably doesn't need or want Obama care even though she pushed the Obamas on the view. It's time to retire , please give us a break.......those girls on the view were asking you all kinds of questions, but what were they really thinking? hmmmm.....ok take care...

By Junette Hodge

Best wishes for a successful surgery. I had an aortic valve replacement 10 years ago and all went very well. It's a blessing you are having it done before the health care bill takes effect. At this stage of life, it might be more difficult to qualify for this procedure. My prayer for you is that all will go well and you will feel 100% better.

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