What Happened to Barbara Jill Walters?
Barbara Walters was a groundbreaking American broadcast journalist and television personality who shattered barriers for women in media. Known for her incisive interviews with world leaders and celebrities, she hosted iconic programs like 'Today,' '20/20,' and created 'The View,' retiring from regular broadcasting in 2014. Walters passed away on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93, leaving behind an indelible legacy in journalism.
Quick Answer
Barbara Walters, a trailblazing American broadcast journalist, passed away on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93, in her Manhattan home. She had been suffering from dementia in her later years, with her death attributed to natural causes and complications from health challenges, including pneumonia and a heart condition. Her enduring legacy as a pioneer for women in journalism and her iconic interviewing style continue to be celebrated, notably with the publication of a high-profile biography in 2024, which keeps her impact in public discussion as of August 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Born in Boston, Massachusetts
Barbara Jill Walters was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Dena and Louis Walters.
Joined NBC's 'Today' Show
Walters began her career at NBC's 'Today' show as a writer and reporter, initially focusing on 'women's interest stories.'
Became First Female Co-Host of 'Today'
After years of gaining prominence, Barbara Walters was formally named the first female co-host of NBC's 'Today' show.
Became First Female Co-Anchor of Network Evening News
Walters made history by joining ABC News as the first woman to co-anchor a network evening news program, the 'ABC Evening News,' with a then-unprecedented $1 million annual salary.
Joined '20/20'
She left the evening news to become a co-host and producer for the ABC newsmagazine '20/20,' where she conducted many of her most famous interviews.
Inducted into Television Hall of Fame
Barbara Walters was recognized for her significant contributions to television by being inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Created and Co-Hosted 'The View'
Walters launched 'The View,' a successful daytime talk show featuring an all-female panel, which she co-hosted for many years.
Underwent Open-Heart Surgery
At age 81, Walters underwent successful open-heart surgery for aortic stenosis.
Retired from 'The View' and Regular Broadcasting
Barbara Walters officially retired from her role as co-host of 'The View' and from regular television news broadcasting, though she remained an executive producer.
Last Known Public Appearance
Walters made her final public appearance at the New York premiere of 'Cafe Society.'
Passed Away at Age 93
Barbara Walters died peacefully at her home in Manhattan at the age of 93, having suffered from dementia in her later years.
Biography 'The Rulebreaker' Published
Journalist Susan Page published a high-profile biography titled 'The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters,' further cementing her legacy.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Barbara Jill Walters, born on September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts, rose to become one of the most influential and recognizable figures in American broadcast journalism. Her career, spanning over five decades, was marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements that paved the way for women in a male-dominated industry.
Walters began her television career in the early 1960s, joining NBC's 'Today' show in 1961 as a writer and reporter, focusing on what were then considered 'women's interest stories.' Her exceptional interviewing skills and on-screen presence quickly earned her more airtime, leading to her historic promotion in 1974 as the first female co-host of 'Today.' This role established her as a prominent national figure and a serious journalist.
In 1976, Walters made headlines again by signing an unprecedented five-year, $1 million contract with ABC, becoming the first woman to co-anchor a network evening news program, the 'ABC Evening News.' While her pairing with Harry Reasoner faced initial challenges, she soon transitioned to '20/20' in 1979, where she became a co-host and producer, solidifying her reputation for securing exclusive and revealing interviews with a wide array of global figures, from heads of state like Fidel Castro and Vladimir Putin to celebrities such as Katharine Hepburn and Monica Lewinsky.
A significant turning point in her later career was the creation of 'The View' in 1997, a daytime talk show featuring an all-female panel. Walters co-hosted the show for 16 seasons, providing a platform for diverse opinions and further cementing her status as a media innovator. She continued to host her annual 'Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People' specials until 2015.
Walters retired from regular television news broadcasting and 'The View' in May 2014, though she remained an executive producer for the show and made occasional appearances. In her final years, she reportedly suffered from dementia and experienced various health challenges, including pneumonia and a heart condition that required surgery in 2010. Her last known public appearance was in 2016.
Barbara Walters passed away peacefully at her home in Manhattan on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93. Her death was widely mourned, with tributes pouring in from across the media and political landscape, acknowledging her immense contributions and trailblazing spirit. As of August 2026, her legacy continues to be celebrated, notably highlighted by the 2024 publication of Susan Page's high-profile biography, 'The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters,' which delves into her personal and professional journey and reinforces her lasting impact on journalism and women in media.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Barbara Jill Walters made different choices?