Before Barbara Walters welcomed her daughter, Jackie, into her life, she believed she had everything. But it wasn't until Jackie arrived in June 1968 that Barbara truly understood the depth of love a parent can feel for their child. In this heartfelt story, we’ll explore the life of Barbara’s only child and the bond they share. Keep reading to uncover the challenges and triumphs that shaped their relationship.

Meet Jackie: The Daughter Who Stole Barbara Walters' Heart

“I adore my daughter,” Barbara gushed during an episode of Oprah’s Master Class, her voice brimming with emotion. “To know that you can have this kind of love that I feel for her—it’s overwhelming.” Barbara often found herself lost in thought about her daughter, who brought a warmth and joy to her life that no career achievement ever could. “I’m laughing because my daughter said to me recently, ‘Mom, when you have Alzheimer’s, you can come down and live next to me. Not if you have Alzheimer’s, but, Mom, when you have Alzheimer’s,’” she recalled, smiling fondly. “I take that as a very loving compliment.”

barbara walters and her daughter — Shutterstock

As Jackie grew up, she faced unique challenges being the daughter of one of the most famous TV journalists in the world. For Jackie, the spotlight was less of a blessing and more of a burden. “Jackie has found it difficult, all her life, because she wants to be anonymous,” Barbara explained in her 2014 news special, Barbara Walters: Her Story. “She may be the only one in the world who doesn’t like to be a celebrity.” Despite Barbara’s best efforts to shield Jackie from the public eye, her demanding career sometimes made it hard to strike a balance. “I was so busy with my career. It’s the age-old problem,” Barbara admitted. “And, you know, on your deathbed, are you going to say, ‘I wish I spent more time in the office?’ No. You’ll say, ‘I wish I spent more time with my family,’ and I do feel that way. I wish I had spent more time with my Jackie.”