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 ExitAll

Vote down Vote up Report this

By KATHRYN

I AM NOT CRAZY ABOUT BARBARA WALTERS AND WILL NOT WASTE MY TIME WATCHING THE VEIW. TO BAD ITS NOT JOY HAVING HER ANNOYING MOUTH SEWN SHUT. HOPE SHE DOES WEEL AND SHE NEEDS TO RETIRE.

By Jade

Good luck Barbara. You hang tough. My mom had this replacement. She is doing well now, so will you,dear.

By Joe

I wonder which of the four valves she will have replaced? From the way she looks it does not look like it would be the Aortic valve. Of course it is impossible to tell watching her on TV and with the make-up they could cover up the grey ashen color. I don't know if I would want to go through that at her age. If she has had this going on for a while and it has not really stopped her from doing her every day events, I would think it too risky. Although they stated in the article it was not elective, then that would mean urgent and since it has been going on for quite a while now, I wonder how urgent it is. I hope you had more than one opnion Barbara. Good luck to you.

By Bill

Nice lady I wish her all the best.

Sunday 16 May

By Margaret Newman

Barbara, Here's to a speedy and successful surgery. You are an amazing lady who has survived all the negatives said about you. You paved the way for all the "on camera jouralists" we now see routinely who might not be here, if it weren't for Barbara Walters.

Best Wishes

By Diane

Barbara, you will be just fine.. Your the best,
and my prayers will be with you and you will
also be on our church prayer list.
Now you can have a great summer vacation.
Take caare and be strong!
Diane in warren michigan

By Elaine Capodilupo

dear barbara, wishing you a speedy recovery, i will miss you i watch the view every day love everyone most of all you and whoopi.so get well and return, to do what you love best, i for one have never missed any thing you have done,ofcause i read your book love it,i will see you back on tv soon. love ya barbara, elaine

By Loni

We will be waiting for your return to TV. You are an inspiration to women. Bless you, Barbara Walters.

By Donna

Dearest Barbara,

I wish you blessing and a speedy recovery with your surgery. You have been an inspiration to me and to many as a women and a person with honor. You are spirited and down to earth and I have enjoyed watching and listening to you over the years and look forward to more from you.
Be well in love and light,

Donna

By pat

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

my prayers are with you. stay positive and God will see you trough. Take your time with recovery but hurry back to the view.An avid view viewer.

Tuesday 11 May

By John

Who is she? Never heard of The View. I don't have time for fluff TV.

By Doris Devoney

Best of luck to you Barbara. I know God will take good care of you as you are a very wonderful person. Do not listen to all of the negative words from other people. Good Luck and take your time to recover.

By Janie Brackin

Barbara Walters to me is a real American ! She shows love and care for our Country. I like her a lot and wish her the very best of wishes and prayers as she has her surgery.

By Paul

I kinda like the old dear, but she really isn't a very empathetic person now is she? She droons on and on in the same monotone voice, so Babs time to retire.
I wish her well but every biatch has its day.

Wednesday 12 May

By mrswp1

Please fire whoopi before you leave, she is an embrasment to all women black and white!

Friday 28 May

By nancy

Regardless of how anyone feels about Barbara Walters, she looks and acts incredibly good and well for an octogenarian. And I find it pitiful that she does not get the accolades she would get if whe were and eighty year old MAN. Way to go girl - you set high standards for women everywhere. THANKS!!!!!!

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