Barbara Walters names 2013's 'Most Fascinating People'

Dec. 2 (UPI) -- It's that time of year again, when veteran journalist Barbara Walters reveals her choices for the year's most captivating entertainers, politicians, athletes and public figures. This year will mark the end of the annual tradition, with the 84-year-old Walters set to retire in 2014.

So far, we know that the list includes some of the year's most-discussed pop culture figures, including tongue-wagging Miley Cyrus, chatty Catching Fire star Jennifer Lawrence and the camo-clad cast of Duck Dynasty.

New parents Kanye West and Kim Kardashian will also feature in the special, with interest in their baby North eclipsed only by Britain's future monarch, Prince George (also on the list).

Pope Francis, 64-year-old swimmer Diana Nyad, whistleblower Edward Snowden and Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts also made the list.

As usual, Walters and ABC only named nine out of 10 picks ahead of the special's Dec. 18 air-date, so media observers will be left to speculate her no. 1 most fascinating person.

Notably absent from the group so far is 16-year-old education activist Malala Yousafzai, who recovered from an attempted assassination by the Taliban and was nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

[ABC News]