Barbara Walters says she will have surgery to replace a faulty heart valve later this week and take the summer off from 'The View' to recuperate.
"Later this week, I'm going to have surgery to replace one faulty heart valve," Walters said, opening the show with news.
"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."
"I have known of this condition for a while now and my doctors and I have decided that this is the best time to do the surgery," she said. "I told my wonderful and supportive pals here. And you kept it a secret until this very minute."
"Since the summer is coming up, I can take a nice vacation."
"I will be calling in from time to time, but this is the time to do it," said Walters, "and then I will be roaring back."
After Whoopi Goldberg asked if she was scared Walters admitted, "Nobody wants to have this kind surgery. It's not elective like a face lift. 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 don't think I’m scared. I'm glad it's going to be over with. It's going to be taken care of."
Barbara Walters expects to return to 'The View' in time for its 14th season premiere in September.
Barbara Walters says she will have surgery to replace a faulty heart valve later this week and take the summer off from 'The View' to recuperate.
