After speculation back in March that Elisabeth Hasselbeck would be fired from ABC’s “The View,” she said goodbye to the show on Wednesday.

Hasselbeck’s sudden departure came as a bit of surprise, despite the rumors earlier in the year. When Hasselbeck and Walters came on the show, Walters had tears in her eyes and said, “It was reported last night that our Elisabeth is leaving us to join the Fox network.”  Walters was obviously shaken up by the news, and the panelists spent the length of the show remembering the good times and saying goodbye to Hasselbeck.

The former “Survivor” contestant has been with “The View” since 2003.  Hasselbeck has had her share of ups and downs on the show, including being fact checked by President Obama and engaging in a number of verbal clashes with former panelist Rosie O’Donnell.

Fans of Hasselbeck will be able to catch her on “Fox & Friends” in September as Gretchen Carlson’s replacement, a move that isn’t too surprising since there have been many complaints of her conservative views. Whether or not it is true that ABC wanted to part ways with her because of her political views, Hasselbeck will fit right in on Fox News.  Hasselbeck made an appearance on Fox News previously on Sean Hannity’s show to discuss her widely criticized interview with President Obama, so she does have some prior experience with the network.

Even though Hasselbeck’s popularity with the ABC execs may be in question, she received a standing ovation from the audience when the show ended.  While Walters seemed very sad to see Hasselbeck go, she told her, “You know I always want what’s best for you. You know how I feel about you,” in an emotional moment.  The other panelists teared up during the show as well, including co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd, who both had kind words for Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck thanked her fellow panelists for all that she has learned from them over the years and even said that she stayed up the night before doing the math on how many hours she had spent working with Walters.   “I have over 3,000 days working by your side…I have attended the Barbara Walters school of broadcasting journalism,” Hasselbeck said.

“The View” will be undergoing some major hosting changes throughout 2013 and 2014.  Joy Behar announced that she is leaving the show after the current season wraps up, and Barbara Walters confirmed that she will retire in 2014.