My family loved Barbara Walters. From as early as I can remember she was common topic of conversation in our home. In fact, my mother was interested in a career in radio when I was a kid, and the programmer told her that she could become a Barbara Walters someday. We loved that comparison. She was a pioneering journalist and television personality who had a long and successful career in the media industry. She was born on September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in a household where education and intellectual curiosity were valued.
After attending Sarah Lawrence College, Walters began her career as a writer and researcher at NBC News. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a producer and eventually a news anchor. In 1976, she became the first woman to co-anchor the evening news on a major network, joining Harry Reasoner on the ABC News program "20/20." We lived in East, Texas and only had one station which was channel 7 (ABC). I remember when that happened, and we were always around the television listening to that voice.
Throughout her career, Walters was known for her incisive interviews and her ability to get people to open up and reveal their true feelings. Who didn't love those interviews with the biggest stars of the day? The interviews included a wide range of people, including heads of state, celebrities, and ordinary people who had experienced extraordinary circumstances. She also hosted her own annual special, "The Barbara Walters Special," which featured interviews with high-profile individuals. If you had a chance to watch them you knew two things could potentially happen. People would be brought to tears. And we were going to learn some of the most intimate details about the individual.
In addition to her work as a journalist, Walters was also the creator and co-host of the popular daytime talk show "The View," which premiered in 1997. The show featured a panel of women discussing current events and hot topics, and it quickly became a hit.
Despite her many accomplishments, Walters remained humble and gracious throughout her career. She was a true trailblazer, and her contributions to the media industry will not be forgotten. She will be missed.
