THE View fans are concerned about the reclusive Barbara Walters after Whoopi Goldberg has given a rare update on the show creator.
Barbara has mainly stayed out of the spotlight since retiring from the talk show in 2014.
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At the start of Monday’s episode, Whoopi gave the creator and original co-host a big shout-out.
As a sweet, smiling photo of Barbara appeared on the screen, the moderator said: “To the one and only Barbara Walters, who had a birthday yesterday, we wanna say, 27 never looked so good!”
The TV host, who was born in Boston in 1929, turned 93 years old on Sunday.
After Whoopi brought up Barbara, fans quickly rushed to social media to both wish the retired star a happy birthday, as well as to express their concern for her.
One fan told her: “Happy 93rd birthday Barbara Walters. Thank you for all you’ve done to encourage women to follow their dreams.”
A second tweeted: “Happy Birthday Ms. Barbara!”
Meanwhile, a another asked how she’s doing as they “never hear about her” anymore.
A second agreed, writing: “I’m wondering the same thing, haven’t seen her since 2017 I believe.”
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“I wish she were still able to be on #TheView,” a third shared.
The View creator and original co-host Barbara led the show until her retirement in 2014, and Whoopi, who joined in 2007, is now the program’s moderator.
Barbara has kept to herself since retiring and has not had a public appearance since 2016, only adding to fans’ concerns.
The 93-year-old was noticeably absent from all of The View’s 25th-anniversary celebrations earlier this year, as well.
In 1997, The View premiered with five women leading the show – Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Joy Behar, Debbie Matenopoulos, and Barbara.
Over the years, a slew of hosts have come and gone, with Joy currently the only original member still on the program.
Meredith Vieira was on from 1997 to 2006, as was Star, and Debbie Matenopoulos hosted from 1997 to 1999.
To celebrate the milestone, the original hosts had a big reunion at New York’s Essex House, where they first auditioned.
In the pre-recorded special, they spent time catching up with one another and reminiscing about their time working together.
Though, not all of them took part in the festivities, as Barbara, who created the show and was responsible for putting the original team together, was not present.
Viewers were excited to see the OG hosts reunite but became concerned after seeing that the she was not there for it.
One worried fan tweeted: “So.. we always talk about Barbara but have no real information of what’s going on with her?”
Another wrote: “I don’t think the show has been the same since Barbara left. By the way is she still alive?”
A third begged, “I want to see Barbara!!,” and added a crying emoji.
Along with a big reunion event with former hosts in June, The View also celebrated its anniversary with a luxury Bahamas vacation.
Despite the lengthy commemoration, Barbara was not part of any of it.
Fans blasted the show for not finding a way to include the 93-year-old, who was responsible for putting the daytime program together in the first place.
One slammed: “A shame Barbara isn’t there!”
They added that it would’ve been nice to hear her “explain HER side of” putting together The View all those years ago.
“As the show celebrates it 25 years, will we see Barbara Walters,” a second asked.
A third wondered: “When do we get to see Barbara Walters?”
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