Barbara Walters was a renowned American broadcast journalist and television personality born on September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts.
2. What Was Her Early Career Like?
Walters began her career in 1951 after earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Sarah Lawrence College. She initially worked in an advertising firm and later as the publicity directors assistant at an NBC-affiliated television station in New York City.
3. What Shows Did She Host?
Barbara Walters hosted numerous television programs, including Today , ABC Evening News , 20/20 , and The View . She was the first woman to co-host Today and the first female co-anchor of a network evening news program.
4. What Made Her Interviews So Popular?
Walters' interviewing style was known for its probing yet casual approach, which often caught her subjects off guard and revealed uncommon candor. She interviewed every sitting U.S. president and first lady from Richard and Pat Nixon to Barack and Michelle Obama.
5. What Awards Did She Receive?
Barbara Walters received multiple awards and more than 30 Emmys throughout her career. She was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1989 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2000.
6. How Did She Pioneer Women in Broadcasting?
Walters paved the path for other women in broadcasting by becoming the first female co-anchor of a network evening news program. Her success created career opportunities for future female network anchors, including Jane Pauley, Katie Couric, and Diane Sawyer.
7. What Was Her Role in Creating 'The View'?
Barbara Walters co-created and co-hosted The View , which premiered on August 11, 1997. The show featured unique perspectives from five women on politics, family, careers, and general public-interest topics.
8. How Did She Impact Television News?
Walters expanded the big TV interview and dominated the genre by interviewing a wide range of famous and infamous individuals. Her interviews often exposed the intimate relations between power and influence, both personal and political.
9. What Was Her Personal Life Like?
Barbara Walters married three different men four times. Her first husband was Robert Henry Katz, followed by Lee Guber, and then Merv Adelson. She also adopted a daughter named Jacqueline Dena Guber in 1968.
10. When Did She Retire?
Barbara Walters retired from ABC News in 2015 after making one last appearance on the network. She continued to host several special reports and documentary series until her final public appearance in 2016.
11. What Legacy Does She Leave Behind?
Barbara Walters left behind a legacy as a groundbreaking journalist and television personality. Her impact on television news and her ability to break down barriers for women in broadcasting continue to inspire new generations of journalists.
