BARBARA WALTERS By: Amanda Belt

Who is Barbara Walters?  Barbara Walters is a well known television journalist. Throughout Barbara’s life, she has wrote for the Morning Show, Today Show, and has premiered on the View.  In 1955, Barbara married business executive Robert Henry Katz. However in 1958, the two divorced.  In 1963, Barbara married theatrical producer Lee Guber. Jacqueline Dena, was the name of their adopted daughter. She was named after Walter’s sister and mother. This marriage ended badly as well, as they divorced in 1976.

Family and Hometown  Barbara was born September 25, 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts. Barbara’s parents are Dena (Seletsky) Walters and Lou Walters. Barbara had two siblings, which both died. Her older sister Jacqueline died in 1985, she was mentally disabled. Burton, her brother, died of pneumonia in 1932.

School Education and First Few Jobs  Barbara went to school at Fieldston and Birch Wathen private schools in New York City. She graduated from Miami Beach High School in Her hometowns were Boston Massachusetts, and Miami Florida.  Barbara attended Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. In 1953, Barbara graduated, she had a bachelor's degree in English.  Barbara’s first job was in journalism as the assistant to publicity director and Republican activist at WRCA-TV.  After working at NBC, Barbara moved to CBS. There she wrote material for the Morning Show.

Television Career  Barbara worked as a researcher and writer for the Today show in Her first few works were more focused towards female viewers.  Barbara’s first “big break” was on a story about Jacqueline Kennedy. It was about a trip to India and Pakistan.  Barbara earned the nickname “Today girl” after joining the Today show in There she served as a co-host.  In 1976 Barbara accepted a job at ABC as the first woman co- anchor of a network evening news program.  The first series of Barbara Walters Specials were launched in This series included interviews with famous people such as Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter.  In September 2000, Barbara renewed her contract with ABC News for five more years.

Accomplishments  In 1972, Barbara was chosen to be part of the press corps that accompanied President Nixon on his trip to China.  Barbara won her first Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award for best host in a talk series in  In 1976, she was chosen to moderate the final presidential debate between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.  Barbara got an interview with a former president Richard Nixon in The first interview since he had resigned.  Barbara’s $12 million salary made her the highest- paid news host in history.  Barbara has interviewed “world leaders” such as the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Margaret Thatcher, and Boris Yeltsin.  Barbara received the Overseas Press Club’s highest award, and the President’s award in  In 1990 she was indicted into the Academy of Television Arts and Science Hall of Fame.  In 1991 she was granted the Lowell Thomas Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Accomplishments Part 2  In 1997, Barbara was granted the Muse Award from New York Women in film and television.  In 2000 the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was given to Barbara.  Barbara was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007, as well as 34 daytime and primetime Emmy awards.  Barbara has been given honorary doctoral degrees from multiple universities.

Films related to Barbara  “Biography: Barbara Walters: A Driving Force” is a movie loosely based on Barbara’s life.  Barbara has been on the Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, and See Arnold Run.  On Saturday Night Live, Barbara was impersonated by Gilda Radner and Cheri Oteri.

Best Known For  Barbara is best known for; Being on the Today show for eleven years. Being the first woman to co-anchor a network on ABC evening news program. Getting the “first” interview for her shows. Marriages/ divorces Having a lot of face lifts

Secrets  In 2006, Barbara visited The Oprah Winfrey Show. On the show Barbara revealed to millions of viewers “secrets” from her memoir Audition. Barbara told people about her affair with U.S. senator Edward Brooke in the 1970’s. In Audition, Barbara also talked about Star Jones, and about his weight loss and departure from the View.

Strengths of Journalistic Style  Barbara was known for throwing “softball” questions. She came up with questions that would throw her viewers, and the person being interviewed off guard.  Barbara always got the first interview. People knew they should listen to her if they wanted answers.  Barbara wasn’t afraid to confront the people she was interviewing. She would ask anything, no matter how sensitive the topic.

Interesting Facts  Barbara was born Jewish, however her parents were not ones to follow that religion.  Barbara’s second cousin, Nancy Shevell, was engaged to Paul McCartney.  Barbara has her own highly popular talk show o NBC Radio called “Not for Woman Only”.  Barbara is 5’5”  Barbara only wears one contact lens while working, if she wore two, she wouldn’t be able to see her notes.  Barbara has interviewed every US president since Richard Nixon.  Barbara is a vegetarian.  Barbara does not like to be photographed from her right side.

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