BARBARA WALTERS

Barbara Jill Walters was born on September 25, 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts. Walters attended Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, graduating in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in English. After a brief stint as a secretary, she landed her first job in journalism as the assistant to publicity director and Republican activist Tex McCary of WRCA-TV. After sharpening her writing and producing skills at the NBC affiliate, Walters moved to CBS, where she wrote material for the network’s Morning Show. In 1961, NBC hired Walters to work as a researcher and writer for its popular Today show. By 1964, Walters became a staple of the Today show—starring alongside Hugh Downs and, later, Frank McGee. Although serving as a co-host, she wasn’t given that official billing until 1974. Walters remained on the show for 11 years, during which time she honed her trademark probing-yet-casual interviewing technique. In 1975, she won her first Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award for best host in a talk series. Walters accepted a job at ABC in 1976 as the first woman co-anchor of a network evening news program. She became known for her deftly maneuvered questions, often catching her subjects off guard and revealing uncommon candor. In 1979, Walters became a part-time correspondent for the ABC news show 20/20. By fall 1981, she was a regular contributor to the program. She, along with former Today show partner Hugh Downs, was elevated to co-host in 1984. Downs retired in 1999, and Walters continued to co-host the show. In September 2000, Walters renewed her contract with ABC News for five more years. Her reported $12 million yearly salary made her the highest-paid news host in history. Walters stepped down as co-host of 20/20 in 2004. In 1997, Walters premiered a mid-morning talk show called The View, for which she was co-executive producer and co-host. In May 2013, Walters announced her retirement from television journalism. Walters was married to three different men and had several high profile relationships. Walters died On December 30, 2022.