Barbara Walters, legendary broadcaster and creator behind The View, is dead at 93
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Pioneering journalist and TV personality Barbara Walters PEOPLE confirms that she has died. She was 93.
“Barbara Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones,” her representative Cindi Berger tells PEOPLE.
“She lived her whole life without regrets. She was an inspiration not only to female journalists but to all women.
Walters was born in Boston on Sept. 25, 1929. She grew up in New York with celebrity friends, including Lou Walters, a nightclub owner and Broadway producer. She received a degree from Sarah Lawrence College in English.
Walters began her TV news career with NBC after a brief stint working as a reporter for CBS News. Today In 1961, she was hired to be a reporter and writer for the television show. Gradually rising in the ranks, she began reporting the weather and covering feature assignments. She eventually became a reporter at large and was the show’s first female host, along with Frank McGee, Hugh Downs, and Frank McGee.
In Walters’ 2008 autobiography, AuditionIn her confession, she revealed that she was having an affair with the U.S. In the 1970s, Senator Edward Brooke was her boyfriend. She was also acquainted with Alan Greenspan (Federal Reserve Chairman) at the same time.
J Barry O’Rourke / Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Barbara Walters 1976
RELATED: Meredith Vieira Says Former Boss Barbara Walters Was ‘Very Kind and Generous’ and ‘Tough as Nails’
Walters left NBC and became a co-anchor for the television network. ABC Evening News Joined the network’s news program in 1976 20/20 Three years later. Co-hosting the conference was another way she proved her poise, whether it was with political leaders or pop culture icons. 20/20 Her list of famous subjects spanned from 2004 to now Vladimir Putin, Richard Nixon, Michael Jackson Monica Lewinsky. She was also a moderator for presidential debates.
Walters started her talk show on daytime in 1997. The ViewFrom when she was a regular co-host, to, retiring The program was available in 2014.
Her beloved year-end Most Fascinating People ABC aired specials every year from 1993 to 2015, with the exception of 2000/2001.
She has received many accolades and awards, including three Emmy Awards, a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards from New York Women’s Agenda and News and Documentary Emmy Awards.
ABC/STEVE FEN The View panel in 2007.
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The iconic icon spoke out about her experience with sexism during her career.
“The so called hard news, a man couldn’t do that,” Walters stated in 2015. Walters stated in 2015 that the audience would not accept her voice. Oprah’s Master Class video. “She couldn’t go into war zones and she couldn’t ask the hard questions.”
Walters claimed that she did not back down.
“Some people loved it. Walters added that some people thought it was very charming. It made me more valuable, but it also gave me the reputation of being pushy. “There goes that pushy cookie.”
Taylor Hill/Getty Images Barbara Walters
Walters was 92 years old in September. The View Season 25 cohosts Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines Guest panelist Ana Navarro The creator’s landmark birthday was marked. (The current moderator. Whoopi Goldberg(The show was hosted by.
Also, September is also available View Alum Meredith Vieira PEOPLE interviewed Walters about the role of first moderator on the show.
“It was a dream to have the chance to work alongside her. She hesitated to hire me, I believe, because she didn’t know that I was funny. Barbara was willing to take a chance with me. She said that it wasn’t the job I was interested in and I didn’t know what to do until I auditioned. “And then, I realized, I don’t understand why I would really enjoy this, however, I do.
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Vieira said that Barbara is a complicated person once you have worked with her. “On the other hand, she’s very kind and generousOn the one hand, she was a true taskmaster and tough as nails. That is why she managed to succeed in this industry at a time where there were few women. She was not only smart, but also had real determination.
To celebrate The ViewPEOPLE recently interviewed many of Walters’ former co-hosts about her remarkable career and the profound influence she had on them.
“I have always thought of…” [The View] Barbara was the adult while the rest were in the sandbox. It was great to have Barbara there as that solid piece that would never change, Goldberg stated. “She was an amazing source of information, and she was always there to help. She knew everyone, and she talked to everyone. It was a blessing that she was here. People wanted to see her and wanted to meet her. … We had the chance to listen to the truth about someone. It was an amazing opportunity.
Behar stated, “I miss [her presence] actually on the show right this moment.” Yes, I do. It would be nice to see her back there.
“No matter what anyone may say, it was the greatest honor of my life to have worked with Barbara Walters. Lisa Ling stated that it was clear to me that I wouldn’t be doing what my doing if not for the fights that Barbara and other women had to win when they were starting out in the business. “She was tough on all of us because she expected the best — and I tried my hardest to deliver for her because she believed in me. Barbara taught me a lot and I will never forget her advice.
Debbie Matenopoulos referred to Walters as “the Grande Dame,” and added, “Whatever her words went, as they should have, because the show was Bill Geddie’s brainchild.” She was also a pioneer in journalism, and had paved the way to many other women. She did her part and was able to do things her own way. She was tough. She expected nothing less than the best and that is why she gave it all. Many people use the term “boss” these days, but she was the ultimate definition. Barbara Walters will always be the only Barbara Walters.”
Hostin, the current co-host of The Tonight Show, said Walters was “very much a teacher” as well as “very much a mentor for her.”
Sherri Shepherd will host her own fall show. She shared that she learned how to ask questions and be curious about others from Sherri Shepherd. Barbara taught me to speak out.
Walters never married again after she divorced her third husband, Merv Adlson in 1992. Jacqueline (“Jackie”) Danforth, her daughter, is now her survivor, along with Lee Guber, her ex-husband.