Barbara Walters was the first woman to co-anchor the evening news—then became TV royalty. She passed in 2022, but her trailblazing legacy lives on.

Barbara Walters was the first woman to co-anchor the evening news—then became TV royalty. She passed in 2022, but her trailblazing legacy lives on.


July 23, 2025 | Jesse Singer

Barbara Walters was the first woman to co-anchor the evening news—then became TV royalty. She passed in 2022, but her trailblazing legacy lives on.


A Journalist Who Changed the Game

Barbara Walters didn’t just report the news—she made history

From her early days writing for The Today Show to becoming the first female co-anchor of a nightly network newscast, Walters broke barriers in journalism and blazed trails for generations of women to follow.

Barbara Walters MsnBreaking the Boys’ Club

Advertisement

Walters was ABC's first female co-anchor of a network evening news program in 1976. However, the journey there wasn't without its challenges. She set a new benchmark for what women could accomplish in the field despite encountering sexism and skepticism from her male peers.

Gettyimages - 517285146, Portrait of Barbara WaltersBettmann, Getty Images

That Famous $1 Million Contract

When she signed her groundbreaking contract with ABC, it came with a then-unheard-of $1 million salary. It made headlines—but it also made her a target. Walters pushed through the noise though—and proved she was worth every penny with her smart, sharp journalism.

Gettyimages - 3200838, Barbara WaltersRaymond Borea, Getty Images

Advertisement

Her Interviews Became Iconic

Barbara Walters wasn’t just a reporter—she was a master interviewer. She spoke with presidents, dictators, celebrities, and icons. From Fidel Castro to Oprah Winfrey to Monica Lewinsky, her interviews often made history themselves.

  Gettyimages - 73959964, Barbara Walters of ABC Interviews Fidel CastroSven Creutzmann/Mambo Photo, Getty Images

Advertisement

She Humanized the Headlines

One of Walters’ greatest gifts was her ability to humanize public figures. Her questions were direct but empathetic, often revealing vulnerable sides of her subjects that had never been seen before. She asked what others were afraid to—and she almost always got answers.

File:Barbara Walters (1976 ABC press photo).jpgABC Television, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

The Birth of "The View"

In 1997, Walters co-created The View, bringing together women of different ages and backgrounds to discuss current events. It was groundbreaking daytime TV—and a new space for women’s voices in media. Walters herself remained on the show into her 80s.

Barbara WaltersHow Barbara Walters was honored during her last day on ‘The View’, ABC News

Advertisement

A Mentor to Many

Behind the scenes, Barbara Walters was known for mentoring countless young journalists—especially women—who looked up to her. Her advice, encouragement, and example shaped an entire generation of reporters and anchors.

File:Barbara Walters ©Lynn Gilbert.gifLynn Gilbert, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Fearless in the Face of Criticism

Throughout her career, Walters was often the subject of parody (Baba Wawa anyone?) and critique. But she never let the jokes get in the way of her ambition. Resilience was a quality this amazing woman had in spades.

Gettyimages - 515113492, Portrait of Commentator Barbara WaltersBettmann, Getty Images

Advertisement

Not Afraid to Get Personal

Walters wasn’t shy about sharing parts of her own life in interviews or in her bestselling memoir, Audition. Her honesty about her childhood, her romantic relationships, and her ambitions made her story even more powerful.

Gettyimages - 515114228, Barbara Walters Anchoring Today ShowBettmann, Getty Images

Advertisement

A Voice in Every Living Room

By the 1980s and ’90s, Barbara Walters had become a staple of American television. Her annual specials—like The 10 Most Fascinating People—were must-watch events that became instantly pop-culture quotable. She had a rare mix of gravitas and warmth that made us all tune in.

Barbara WaltersJennifer Lawrence Talks About Tackling Fame, ABC News

Advertisement

Her 9/11 Interview with George W. Bush

One of her most memorable interviews came just 10 days after 9/11, when she sat down with President George W. Bush. It was a delicate moment in history, and Walters asked the hard questions with her signature grace and steadiness.

Barbara Walters20/20 (ABC News) Interview of George W. Bush - December 5th, 2001, VHS Explorers

Advertisement

Recognized Across the Globe

Barbara Walters wasn’t just a household name in her home country—she was known, and respected, worldwide. Her interviews often aired globally, and international leaders were also quick to recognized her as a journalistic force to be reconned with.

Gettyimages - 515426448, Barbara Walters Interviewing Richard NixonBettmann, Getty Images

Advertisement

She Never Really Retired

Even after officially retiring from The View in 2014, Walters stayed quite active behind the scenes. Her influence continued to be felt across ABC News and in public conversations about politics, gender, and celebrity.

File:Barbara Walters 2011.jpgJoella Marano at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ellasportfolio, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

A Private Woman with a Public Legacy

Though very public in her work, Walters remained relatively private in her personal life. She adopted a daughter, Jacqueline, and guarded their relationship fiercely.

Gettyimages - 136170071, Sixth Annual Television Academy Hall of Fame Induction CeremonyRon Galella, Ltd., Getty Images

Advertisement

The “Barbara Walters Specials”

Her prime-time interview specials became legendary. Whether it was Michael Jackson, Katharine Hepburn, or Vladimir Putin, Walters had a knack for asking the questions everyone else tiptoed around—without losing compassion.

File:Vladimir Putin with Barbara Walters-2.jpgPresidential Press and Information Office, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

She Inspired Generations

From Oprah to Diane Sawyer to Hoda Kotb, many of today’s most prominent journalists cite Barbara Walters as a major influence. She showed that you could be tough and tender, smart and stylish—all while holding power to account.

File:Hoda Kotb (8241564420).jpgPeabody Awards, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Her Final Interview

One of her last major interviews was with Peter Rodger, father of the Isla Vista killer, in 2014. It was a raw, emotional moment—and showed that even near the end of her career, Walters could still cut to the core of a painful story with empathy and skill.

Barbara WaltersEliot Rodger: Santa Barbara Shooting Suspect's Father Peter Rodger Interview, ABC News

Advertisement

Tributes Poured In After Her Death

When Barbara Walters passed away on December 30, 2022, tributes came from every corner of the world—from presidents to actors to everyday fans. Everyone had a Walters memory or moment that moved them (and us).

File:Barbara Walters 2004.jpgJohn Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

A Legacy of Courage

What Barbara Walters leaves behind isn’t just her interviews or accolades—it’s the courage to ask the hard questions, to demand space in male-dominated rooms, and to never apologize for wanting more.

Gettyimages - 2208125221, Lescoulie, Paar, Blair, Walters, & Downs On 'Today Show' SetRaimondo Borea, Getty Images

Advertisement

She Made History—And Then Reported It

Walters didn’t just document history—she was part of it. From the White House to Hollywood to war zones, she reported from every corner of the globe, often paving the way for women and journalists who came after her.

Gettyimages - 615302006, The Carters Interviewed by Barbara WaltersHistorical, Getty Images

Advertisement

Her Work Still Resonates

Whether watching old interviews on YouTube or seeing her influence in today’s newsroom diversity, Barbara Walters’ impact is still visible. Her style, her empathy, and her strength are woven into the fabric of modern media.

Barbara WaltersBarbara Walters's biggest interviews, Washington Post

Advertisement

A Royal Spot in TV History

There’s no question—Barbara Walters became TV royalty. She earned every honor, every Emmy, and every standing ovation. And though she’s gone, her voice still echoes every time a woman steps behind a news desk.

Gettyimages - 91015806, 30th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards - PortraitsMarc Bryan-Brown, Getty Images

Advertisement

You Might Also Like:

The Side Of David Letterman No One Talks About

Judy Garland's Life Was A Never-Ending Nightmare

Popular Actors Who Were Never Supposed To Be Famous

Sources:  123


READ MORE

Worst Movie Posters Int
August 31, 2025 Jesse Singer

The Worst Movie Posters Ever Made

From big-budget blockbusters to straight-to-DVD disasters, here are the worst movie posters ever made. Prepare to cringe, laugh, and question the marketing decisions of entire studios.
August 31, 2025 Jesse Singer

Recast, Replaced, and Ruined: TV Swaps That Threw Off The Whole Show

TV casting swaps can be risky—but some go totally off the rails. From awkward recasts to vanishing characters and wild tone shifts, these are the role changes that confused fans, killed momentum, and sometimes even wrecked the whole show.
Rick James Facts
August 31, 2025 Marlon Wright

Rick James Really Was A Super Freak

Rick James worked, fought, and partied with almost every icon in the 70s and the 80s, and he kept taking it up a notch until it finally destroyed him.
August 30, 2025 Jesse Singer

The Best Sci-Fi Shows That Still Hold Up

From spaceship shenanigans to mind-bending dystopias, these series didn’t just entertain—they changed the game. Whether you’re rewatching as a nostalgic fan or diving in for the very first time—Here’s a lineup of the best sci-fi shows that still hold up,
August 30, 2025 Jesse Singer

Songs That Instantly Take You Back To High School

From jukebox slow dances to mixtape anthems, burned CD bangers or super Spotify playlists, these tracks instantly bring back pep rallies, crushes, and late-night hangs. No matter your graduation year, these hits will transport you straight back to homeroom.
August 30, 2025 Jane O'Shea

Gone With The Wind’s Forgotten Horror Story

Ona Munson began her career as a promising young actress on Broadway, but she's most famous for her controversial role in the mega-hit Gone with the Wind. But despite her professional success and glamour, Munson's tragic personal life told a very different story.