"Later this week I'm going to have surgery to replace a faulty heart valve," she said. "My doctors and I have decided this is the best time to do the surgery."
She intends to recuperate over the summer, and said she plans to come "roaring back in September."
Walters said she had not felt any symptoms from the narrowing of the heart valve, which can worsen and restrict the flow of blood to the heart.
She is one of the best-known personalities in television news. She began on the "Today" show, was the first woman to anchor a network evening news program, then was one of the toughest competitors in the fierce game of landing sought-after interviews.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
