• Biography

Early Life

Barbara Walters was born on September 25, 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Dena and Louis “Lou” Walters, who was a nightclub owner and Broadway producer. Walters was raised in a Jewish household and attended the Birch Wathen Lenox School in New York City. She then went on to attend Sarah Lawrence College, where she graduated with a degree in English in 1953.

Career

Walters began her career in television in 1961 as a writer for NBC’s Today show. She quickly rose to prominence as a news anchor and interviewer, becoming the first female co-host of the show in 1974. She went on to become the first female co-anchor of ABC’s 20/20 in 1976.

Walters was known for her hard-hitting interviews with celebrities and world leaders, including Fidel Castro, Margaret Thatcher, and Michael Jackson. She also hosted the popular daytime talk show The View from 1997 to 2014.

In addition to her television work, Walters wrote several books, including her autobiography Audition: A Memoir (2008). She was also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation in 2009.

Legacy

Walters was a trailblazer in the world of television news and talk shows. She was the first female co-host of a major network news program and the first female co-anchor of a primetime news magazine. She was also the first female to receive a salary of over one million dollars for her work on television.

Walters’ legacy is one of breaking down barriers and paving the way for other women in the media. She was an inspiration to many and a role model for generations of women. Her work has been recognized and celebrated by many, including the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

Walters passed away on May 16, 2021 at the age of 91. She will be remembered for her groundbreaking work in television and her commitment to empowering women in the media.

Date modified: Apr 3, 2023
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