Barbara Walters hospitalized after fall

Barbara Walters attends the Time 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center April 24, 2012, in New York. / AFP/Getty Images

NEW YORK Veteran ABC newswoman Barbara Walters has fallen at an inauguration party at an ambassador's home in Washington and has been hospitalized.

Walters, 83, fell Saturday night on a step at the residence of Britain's ambassador to the United States, Peter Westmacott, ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said. The fall left Walters with a cut on her forehead, he said.

Walters, out of an abundance of caution, went to a hospital for treatment of the cut and for a full examination, Schneider said Sunday. She was alert and "telling everyone what to do, which we all take as a very positive sign," he said.

It was unclear when Walters might be released from the hospital, which ABC didn't identify.

Walters was TV news' first female superstar, making headlines in 1976 as a network anchor with an unprecedented $1 million annual salary. During more than three decades at ABC, and before that at NBC, her exclusive interviews with rulers, royalty and entertainers have brought her celebrity status. In 1997, she created "The View," a live weekday talk show that became an unexpected hit.

Walters had heart surgery in May 2010 but returned to active duty on "The View" that September, declaring, "I'm fine!"

Even in her ninth decade, Walters continues to keep a busy schedule, including appearances on "The View," prime-time interviews and her annual special, "10 Most Fascinating People," on which, in December, she asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie if he considered himself fit enough to be president someday. (Christie, although acknowledging he is "more than a little" overweight, replied he would be up to the job.)

Last June, Walters apologized for trying to help a former aide to Syrian President Bashar Assad land a job or get into college in the United States. She acknowledged the conflict in trying to help Sheherazad Jaafari, daughter of the Syrian ambassador to the United States and a one-time press aide to Assad. Jaafari helped Walters land an interview with the Syrian president that aired in December 2011.

Walters said she realized the help she offered Jaafari was a conflict and said, "I regret that."

[HobartSchmenge]

Get well soon, Baba Wawa.

[Martha12345]

Just keeping up with the Clintons.............

[nohater]

didn't know she was that old, good for her. most people don't make it to that age. as for the program, the view, have never seen it but willing to bet like most talk shows the audience is nearly 100% female when the camera pans the audience. often wonder why only females are in the audience, don't they have jobs? don't females have better things to do then attend talk shows? always wondered. or are the females in the audience paid to attend the various shows? occasionally tune in talk shows on day off or day of illness.

[skeezix06]

Two Americas. Two American healthcare systems.

[nohater]

what?

[catisnew]

I too used to love the view. It has some rationality to it. I have not watched it in over a year. I have tried, but Whoopie and Joy and having a blast in their hate fest. I used to love Whoopi as well. Watched every movie and TV show I could. I loved her, and never thought about race or anything like that. But, she and other Black Americans have made it impossible to think the same way about them since they now have a president who is not a good man in office. It has created a group of hateful, mean, and spiteful people who just happen to have darker skin. I don't get it. Be nice Whoopi. What has happened to you? Joy you are so offensive to me on every level. And Barbara, I loved you as well in the past. You have shown your bias, and it is not only inaccurate, it amazes me and shames me. You are jewish and should know better than to allow a communist man who is bent on destroying white America. You are exactly what Isaiah was talking about when he spoke about those who have forgotten. You could be doing so much real good in the world, and you choose the side of craziness and not goodness. I have a deepness in my heart for you however, and believe you are a good person deep down inside of that bias. I hope you come around and do what your little kernel of light teaches you. The reason the jews have flourished is because you knew and gave us Abraham and Christ. Do not turn your back on that. We all owe Isreal our lives for their contribution to civilized people. And shut Whoopi up so I can watch again.

[skeezix06]

Whoopi says what she thinks. I don't always agree with her but I admire that. Joy is somewhat acidic. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Elizabeth is an airhead. I have no idea why she's on the show.

Barbara's okay. I hope she gets sprung from the hospital today.

Obama a communist bent on destroying white America? He's devoted his first term to passing republican policies. Does that mean the republican party is a communist party bent on destroying America?

[catisnew]

I said white America Skeez. Whoopi can say what she thinks, that's fine, rude, and uncalled for, so I choose not to watch. Barbara used to make sense. Now I wonder who she really is. That's all. I wonder how this happened. Obama has said many times and many ways, he despised his mother's race. Hmmm? What does that mean, and why is he our president. Oh ya, the rest of you despise his mother's race as well.

[Type_Z]

She is a liberal propaganda machine. I used to love Barbara. She, and the ladies of the View spew such BS it is impossible to watch anymore. They are clueless, yet they believe their own lies.

[Type_Z]

Was-waa.

[Liaraco21]

I just want to wish you a speedy recovery, much blessings from me and family.

[sjohnson307]

I truly do hate that she fell and hope she recovers well. As for the comments, and the article....she's 83, how could she be in her ninth decade of reporting?? lol. I also read a comment about her "having one too many drinks", having a drink was never mentioned in the article. She could have just arrived for all we know. Fell better soon Barbra, we all love you !! <3

[sjohnson307]

Don't know why it posted my comment twice, I do not know how to remove one of them !! lol.

[Bick61]

The article is referring to her being in her ninth decade age-wise, not her ninth decade of reporting.

[sjohnson307]

I truly do hate that she fell and hope she recovers well. As for the comments, and the article....she's 83, how could she be in her ninth decade of reporting?? lol. I also read a comment about her "having one too many drinks", having a drink was never mentioned in the article. She could have just arrived for all we know. Fell better soon Barbra, we all love you !! <3