Barbara Walters

About

Barbara Walters is a prominent American television personality, known for her pioneering role in broadcast journalism. Born on September 25, 1929, she achieved fame as the first female co-anchor of a network evening news broadcast on ABC Evening News in 1976. She's famed for her exceptionally effective interviewing style with her work on popular shows like Today, 20/20, and The View. Over her career, she interviewed big names from politics to entertainment, including every sitting U.S. president from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama. Walters retired in 2014, and her contributions to the field continue to be lauded.

Associated With

Barbara Walters has an extensive set of connections within the media industry through her long and respected career as a journalist. She started her career by working with famous figures such as Garry Moore and Hugh Downs on television shows. She rose to prominence in the industry with her roles at NBC's "Today Show" and ABC's "20/20", where she worked with respected journalist Hugh Downs and conducted interviews with high-profile individuals. With respect to relationships, Walters was married four times to three men in the industry: Robert Henry Katz, a business executive, Lee Guber, a theater producer, and Merv Adelson, the CEO of Lorimar-Telepictures. Moreover, as a co-creator and co-host of the talk show "The View", she worked closely with various personalities including Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, and Meredith Vieira. Additionally, her famous interview subjects, ranging from politicians to global superstars, have drawn connections to figures such as Richard Nixon, Fidel Castro, and the infamous Monica Lewinsky.

Career Highlights

• 1951: Barbara Walters starts her media career at NBC's WPIX in New York as a writer and producerA key figure responsible for managing the production of a film, TV show, or album, including financi... of women's programming.
• 1961: After a decade in local TV, Walters graduates to NBC's The Today Show as a writer and researcher.
• 1965: Walters becomes The Today Show's first female co-host, breaking barriers for women in broadcast journalism.
• 1974: Walters joins Harry Reasoner as the first woman co-anchor of ABC Evening News, signing a historic contractA legally binding agreement between two or more parties that is enforceable by law. that makes her one of the highest-paid journalists of the time.
• 1976: Winning her first Emmy Award for Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Talk, Service or Variety Series for her work on Today.
• 1979: Walters becomes the anchor and editorIn film or television, an editor assembles various shots into a coherent sequence to create the fina... of ABC News and launches the highly successful 20/20 show, which she would co-anchor until 2004.
• 1999: Walters creates and co-hosts the popular daytime talk show "The View", also acting as its executive producerOften a financier or major decision-maker, this role oversees the overall project management, financ....
• 2000: Walters wins the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy AwardsRecognizing outstanding achievement in daytime television programming, the awards are given by the N....
• 2007: Another Emmy Award in the category for Best Talk Show for "The View".
• 2013: Walters officially retires but continues to make special appearances until 2015.
• 2014: Walters receives the Disney Legends Award for her outstanding contribution to the television industry.
• 2017: Walters is inducted into The Television Academy Hall of Fame for her influential career in television journalism.
• This illustrious career spanning over half a century has made Barbara Walters an icon in American media, paving the way for future generations of female journalists.

Notable Awards

• Barbara Walters is an esteemed journalist and media personality who has won multiple awards over her career. Some of her most notable awards include:
• Daytime Emmy Awards: She and the team of "The View" won for "Outstanding Talk Show" in 2003. She also won for "Outstanding Talk Show Host" shared with the co-hosts in 2009.
• News & DocumentaryA non-fiction genre that documents reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or... Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Programming.
• A Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2000.
• A Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women's Project & Productions in 2003.
• Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame inductee.
• Television Academy Hall of Fame inductee.
• The Overseas Press Club Award: For her interview with Libya's Muammar Gaddafi.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Barbara Walters Movie/TV Show?

Barbara Walters is best known for her interviews and journalism rather than a specific movie or TV show. However, one of her most notable roles was as a co-host for ABC's "The View," a popular daytime talk show running since 1997. Walters co-created the show and her tenure lasted from 1997 to 2014, making her a significant and highly recognizable fixture on American television. Her insightful commentary and noteworthy interviews on "The View" have garnered widespread acclaim and popular recognition.

How Did Barbara Walters Get Famous?

Barbara Walters gained fame through her groundbreaking work in journalism, particularly on American television. She began her career as a writer and segment producer for women-interest stories on "The Today Show" in the early 1960s. Walters's captivating interview style and commitment to journalistic integrity quickly made her a beloved figure among viewers. Her rise to fame was solidified in 1974 when she became the show's first female co-host. Later, she would co-host the ABC Evening News and create, co-host, and produce the popular talk show "The View". Exhibiting dedication and excellence, Walters broke through many gender barriers in the industry and conducted compelling interviews with many prominent figures worldwide, effectively paving the way for aspiring female journalists everywhere.