Barbara Walters Net Worth

Barbara Walters: A Look at Her Life, Career, and Net Worth

Introduction

Barbara Walters, a name synonymous with broadcast journalism and captivating interviews, left an indelible mark on the world of television. This article delves into the life and legacy of Barbara Walters, examining her impressive net worth, her groundbreaking career, and her lasting influence on journalism. From her early days as a writer to her iconic roles on shows like “The Today Show,” “20/20,” and “The View,” we’ll explore the key moments that defined her career. We’ll also uncover details about her personal life, relationships, and the accolades she received throughout her illustrious journey. In addition, we will reveal details about her NYC mansion.

Early Life and Family Background

Barbara Jill Walters was born on September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her parents, Dena and Louis Walters, were both of Jewish heritage. Louis Walters had a colorful career, managing the Latin Quarter nightclub in Boston before opening a chain of nightclubs. He also worked as a Broadway producer and entertainment director at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. This upbringing exposed Barbara to the world of entertainment and celebrities from a young age. She had an older sister, Jacqueline, who had mental disabilities and died from ovarian cancer in 1985, and a brother, Burton, who died of pneumonia in 1932. Growing up, the family moved a few times, and Barbara attended several schools, including Lawrence School in Brookline, Massachusetts, Ethical Culture Fieldston School and Birch Wathen School in New York City, and Miami Beach High School, where she graduated in 1947. She then went on to attend Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1951.

Career: Television Pioneer and Trailblazer

Barbara Walters’ career in television spanned several decades, marked by innovation and breaking barriers. She began her career in 1961 at NBC’s “The Today Show,” initially working as a writer and researcher. She quickly advanced, covering lighter-fare stories and weather reports as the show’s “Today Girl.” Walters distinguished herself, developing, writing, and editing her own interviews and reports. She made history in 1974 as the first female co-host of “The Today Show,” a significant milestone in American television. Further expanding her influence, from 1971 to 1976, she hosted “Not for Women Only,” which aired on a local NBC affiliate. Walters’ pioneering spirit continued as she became the first woman to co-anchor a network evening news program on the “ABC Evening News” from 1976 to 1978.

During her time at ABC News, Walters worked with a number of co-hosts and colleagues. She later joined “20/20” in 1979 and reunited with Hugh Downs, solidifying her place as a prominent figure in investigative journalism.

“The View” and Other Ventures

In August 1997, Barbara Walters created and launched the daytime talk show “The View.” This show, a unique format, featured a panel of women discussing various topics from their perspectives. The original co-hosts included Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Debbie Matenopoulos, and Joy Behar. Over the years, “The View” has seen many co-hosts come and go, including Lisa Ling, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Rosie O’Donnell, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, and Jenny McCarthy. The show has been a success, winning the Daytime Emmy for Best Talk Show in 2003. Walters, Behar, Goldberg, Hasselbeck, and Shepherd shared the award for Best Talk Show Host in 2009. Barbara retired from “The View” on May 15, 2014, but she occasionally returned as a guest host through 2015.

Interviews with World Leaders and Celebrities

Barbara Walters was renowned for her insightful interviews with influential figures worldwide. She interviewed numerous world leaders, including Anwar Al Sadat, Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin, Margaret Thatcher, and Fidel Castro. She also conducted interviews with several U.S. presidents. Her interview style was direct and engaging, which made her a sought-after interviewer for celebrities. She interviewed Michael Jackson, Katharine Hepburn, and Sir Laurence Olivier, among others. Her 1999 interview with Monica Lewinsky was a television event, drawing in 74 million viewers and becoming the second-most-watched interview in television history. Even after her retirement, Walters continued to interview prominent figures, including Donald and Melania Trump, Mary Kay Letourneau, and Peter Rodger. She also hosted “American Scandals” on Investigation Discovery in 2015 and continued her “10 Most Fascinating People” specials in 2014 and 2015.

(Photo by Clarence Elie-Rivera/Getty Images)

Personal Life, Relationships, and Health

Barbara Walters was married four times. Her first marriage was to business executive Robert Henry Katz in 1955, but it was annulled in 1957 after just 11 months. She married theatrical producer Lee Guber in 1963, and they divorced in 1976. In 1968, they adopted a daughter, Jacqueline. Her third marriage was to Lorimar Television CEO Merv Adelson, whom she married in 1981, divorced in 1984, remarried in 1986, and divorced in 1992. In her earlier years, she dated lawyer Roy Cohn, and in the 1970s, she had a relationship with Alan Greenspan, who later became U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman. In the 1990s, Walters dated Senator John Warner. She also dated Pulitzer Prize-winning gerontologist Robert Neil Butler in 2007. In 2010, she underwent successful open-heart surgery to replace a faulty aortic valve, and she returned to her shows after a six-month recovery period.

Barbara Walters passed away on December 30, 2022, at her home in Manhattan, at the age of 93, after struggling with dementia in her later years.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her extensive career, Barbara Walters received numerous awards and accolades. She was honored with the Overseas Press Club’s highest award, the President’s Award, and the Lowell Thomas Award for her excellence in journalism. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation and the Muse Award from New York Women in Film and Television. Walters won a Primetime Emmy Award, 3 Daytime Emmy Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000), 7 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, a GLAAD Media Award, and a Television Critics Association Award. She was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2007, she was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and “TV Guide” ranked her at #34 on their 1996 list of the “50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.” In January 2023, ABC aired the special “Our Barbara” as a tribute to the late broadcaster.

NYC Mansion

For three decades, Barbara Walters lived in a co-op NYC building located at 944 Fifth Avenue. Her apartment was an 11-room unit, including a library, formal dining room, dressing room, and large living room that directly overlooks Central Park. Barbara’s estate listed her longtime apartment for sale in April 2023 for $19.75 million. The asking price was lowered to $17 million in early 2024.

Conclusion

Barbara Walters’ legacy as a pioneering journalist and interviewer remains significant. Her insightful interviews, her groundbreaking roles, and her contributions to television have left an enduring mark. Her career is a testament to the power of perseverance, talent, and a commitment to journalistic integrity, ensuring her place in television history. Her influence continues to inspire generations of journalists and media professionals.