Barbara Walters was the ultimate conversationalist, a woman who could connect with anyone, no matter their status or background. Over the course of her illustrious career, which spanned from 1976 to 2015, she sat down with world leaders, including ten sitting American presidents, as well as some of the brightest stars in Hollywood—like Lucille Ball, Barbra Streisand, and John Wayne. But one of her most memorable interviews was with Monica Lewinsky, an interview that captivated an audience of 74 million viewers. It wasn’t just her ability to ask the tough questions that set her apart; she had a knack for making people open up, even to the point of tears. “She was charming, witty, and unforgettable,” Monica Lewinsky reflected years later.
Her Personal Journey Amidst Fame
Even as Barbara Walters broke barriers and paved the way for future generations in journalism, she faced challenges that many of us can relate to—finding that elusive balance between a thriving career and personal life. Despite being married four times to three different men, Barbara always put her career first. She was a trailblazer, but it wasn’t without sacrifice. When she passed away on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93, her legacy lived on through her daughter, Jacqueline Danforth, whom she adopted in 1968. “Barbara adored her daughter,” a close friend of the family told Closer. “They weren’t always in agreement, but Jackie was there for her mother when it mattered most.”
Barbara often attributed her drive and ambition to her challenging childhood. Born into a family where financial stability was as unpredictable as the stock market, she grew up in a world of extremes—sometimes living in run-down apartments, other times in luxurious penthouses, all depending on the fluctuating fortunes of her father, a supper club impresario. Her older sister, also named Jacqueline, had a mental disability, which added another layer of responsibility to Barbara's young life. “I felt like I had to be the rock for my family,” she wrote in her memoir Audition. This sense of responsibility stayed with her into adulthood, fueling her relentless work ethic. “I would eat lunch at my desk and rarely took a day off,” she confessed, a habit that began when she transitioned from acting and public relations into writing for Today.
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Her Gift for Empathy and Connection
Beyond her ambition, Barbara was known for her deep empathy—a trait she credited to her late sister Jacqueline, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 1985. “She taught me the value of compassion and understanding,” Barbara often said. These lessons were evident in her interviewing style, which she honed while chatting with icons like Judy Garland, Truman Capote, and Rose Kennedy during her early years at Today. Her ability to connect with people on a personal level set her apart from her peers and helped her break through barriers in the male-dominated world of journalism.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Barbara wasn’t just a great interviewer; she was a fierce competitor. When she became the first female co-anchor of the evening news with a groundbreaking salary of $1 million a year, she faced hostility from some of her male colleagues, including her deskmate Harry Reasoner. “He was really tough on me, both on and off the air,” she admitted. But instead of backing down, she dug in deeper, proving her worth time and again. Over the years, she became a mainstay on ABC Evening News, a contributor to 20/20, and the host of the annual Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People specials. In 1997, she created The View, a groundbreaking daytime talk show that featured a diverse panel of women, further cementing her legacy in television history.
Though her personal life was filled with ups and downs, including four marriages to three different men and romances with notable figures like Clint Eastwood, Barbara always prioritized her career. “I turned down dinner with Clint because I had to work,” she once joked. But despite her professional triumphs, her greatest love was her daughter, Jacqueline. “After three miscarriages, adopting Jackie with my second husband was the best decision I ever made,” she said. Yet, the relationship wasn’t always smooth sailing. “I was so consumed by my career that I didn’t spend enough time with her,” Barbara admitted, reflecting on the growing pains they experienced as mother and daughter.
As time went on, Barbara and Jacqueline grew closer, especially in the years leading up to Barbara’s retirement in 2015. In her later years, diagnosed with dementia, Barbara lived quietly in her New York City apartment with stunning views of Central Park. “I want to be remembered as a loving mother, a loyal friend, and a good newswoman,” she said. “More than anything, I hope I’ve inspired younger women to aim high and achieve their dreams.”
