Barbara Walters to have heart surgery

New York — Barbara Walters said she will have surgery to replace a faulty heart valve later this week and take the summer off from “The View” to recuperate.

The television legend made the announcement on the air Monday. She said she’s known about her condition for a while, and decided with her doctors that this is the best time to have the heart surgery done.

Walters, 80, 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. There are four heart valves, and they can be surgically replaced by a mechanical valve, an animal valve or human organ from a donor.

Walters said recovery generally takes one to three months, mostly involving regaining strength.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush and comic Robin Williams had heart valve replacement surgery last year.

Whoopi Goldberg, her co-host on “The View,” asked if she was scared.

She said no and pointed to how it has become more commonplace, but said, “Look, nobody wants to have this kind of surgery.”

NYC’s Apollo Theater unveils Walk of Fame

New York — Smokey Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown were among the music legends being honored on the Apollo Theater’s new Walk of Fame in New York City.

Workers on Monday began installing sidewalk plaques in front of the storied Harlem theater celebrating some of the artists who have performed there. Others include Little Richard, Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight and the Pips.

“For me to have a plaque honoring me in front of the Apollo theater is one of the proudest achievements in my life,” Robinson said. “I started out at the Apollo and it will always be a home to me.”

Robinson said he first performed at the Apollo with the Miracles in 1959, and he’s been back countless times since.

He told The Associated Press, “I always say, if they tear down 125th Street and everything on it, please leave the Apollo standing.”

The Apollo’s marquee on Monday also paid tribute to singer and actress Lena Horne, who died Sunday at age 92.