Vieira joined 60 Minutes in 1989 following the birth of her first child. Don Hewitt, executive producer of 60 Minutes, allowed her to work part-time for two seasons so she could care for her child. After that, she would work full-time. But after two years, she became pregnant again and asked to continue the part-time arrangement. Hewitt declined her request, deciding instead to hire someone who would work full-time. Her departure from the show garnered headlines, as a national debate started to take place about whether women could balance both family and career. She also turned down opportunities to co-host The Early Show on CBS, and ABC's Good Morning America when her children were young.

Vieira talks about her family and career decisions in the book Divided Lives: The Public and Private Struggles of Three American Women by Elsa Walsh.