Barbara Walters returns to 'The View' after seven week absence

Barbara Walters has been absent from the hosts' table on "The View" for seven weeks, but the news veteran announced today that she'll return to the ABC daytime show on March 4. Watch her announcement in the player above.

Walters was hospitalized in late January after a fall resulting in six stitches to her head. She was then diagnosed with chicken pox and required to remain on bed rest.

Walters created "The View" and has been a co-host since its debut in 1997. The current hosting panel includes Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd.