At once a serious and entertaining force, she changed the face of news in America
ABC News announced on Friday Evening that Barbara Walter’s has died. She was 93. The cause of death was not provided in the announcement. Barbara Walters was a pioneering journalist and television personality who has had a long and successful career in the media industry, a career that seems larger than life now, to many looking back.
She was born on September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her parents, Lou and Dena Seaman, were both Russian immigrants, and her father owned a jewelry store.
As a child, Walters showed an early interest in journalism and writing. She attended Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where she wrote for the school newspaper and participated in drama productions. After graduating from high school, she attended Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 1951.
After college, Walters began her career in journalism as a researcher and writer for NBC News. She quickly worked her way up the ranks, eventually becoming a producer and correspondent for the network.
In 1961, she became the first woman to co-host the Today show, alongside Hugh Downs. She remained with the show for more than 10 years, becoming a household name and paving the way for other women in television news.
In 1976, Walters left the Today show to co-host the ABC news magazine 20/20 with Hugh Downs. She remained with the show for over 25 years, becoming known for her in-depth interviews with world leaders, celebrities, and other notable figures.
She was also a frequent contributor to other ABC news programs, including Good Morning America and World News Tonight.
In addition to her work on 20/20, Walters also hosted a number of specials and television events, including the Academy Awards and the Miss America pageant. She became the first woman to solo host the Oscars in 1984, and she continued to co-host the awards show for several years.
Throughout her career, Walters has interviewed countless high-profile figures, including presidents, world leaders, and celebrities.
She was known for her ability to ask tough questions and get her subjects to open up, and she has been recognized for her contributions to journalism with numerous awards and honors. In 1989, she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, and in 2008, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Challenges to face and overcome
Despite her many accolades, Walters faced her share of challenges and controversies over the course of her career. She faced criticism for her involvement in the Miss America pageant, which was seen as out of step with the feminist movement of the time.
She also faced backlash for her interviews with controversial figures, including former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Despite these controversies, Walters has remained a respected and influential figure in the media industry. She retired from full-time television work in 2014. She is widely regarded as a trailblazer and role model for women in the media industry, and her work has had a lasting impact on the way television news is produced and consumed.
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