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Lawley said she wanted to pursue "other aspects of broadcasting and maybe a bit of business too".
She has occupied the presenter's chair since 1987 and is only the third presenter in the show's 64-year history.
Her last programme will be on August 27.
Lawley, 59, said: "It is one of the best jobs in broadcasting. But it has dominated my professional life and I feel the time has come to concentrate on other aspects of broadcasting and maybe a bit of business too.
"I've had more than 18 very happy years and have talked to some extraordinary people as they revealed themselves through their choice of music."
Over the years Lawley has interviewed some of the biggest names in politics, the arts, literature and sport.
Highest ratings since 1999
The Sunday show is currently enjoying its highest ratings since 1999.
Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer said: "I tried hard to persuade Sue to change her mind but to no avail.
"She started her career as a journalist and is still a journalist at heart.
"She also has an enormous interest in people. Put these two attributes together and you end up with fascinating and entertaining interviews that are now the hallmark of Desert Island Discs. She will be a tough act to follow."
The programme was devised in 1942 by Roy Plomley, who presented the show until his death in 1985. Michael Parkinson succeeded him and Lawley took over in 1987.
There have been more than 2,600 guests since the programme began and Lawley has interviewed 750 of them.
The format is simple: each week a guest is invited to choose the eight records they would take with them to a desert island.
Lawley's recent interviewees include Jarvis Cocker, Sir Menzies Campbell, Kelly Holmes, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Irons.
One of the BBC's best known presenters, she started out on Nationwide in the 1970s before moving on to host the Nine O'Clock News and Six O'Clock News bulletins.
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Yes, give her a second chance