barbara walters dead© Photo: Getty Images

Trailblazing US news anchor Barbara Walters dies at 93

The star inspired generations of women

US Deputy Editor
December 31, 2022

Barbara Walters has died at the age of 93 following a trailbazing career which saw her become the first female anchor in evening news.

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A statement from her publicist, Cindi Berger, was released on Friday and read: "Barbara Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones. She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists, but for all women."

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Barbara joined ABC news in 1976 and forged an impressive and expansive career. she became the co-host of 20/20 in 1979 and launched The View in 1997 where she co-hosted until 2014.

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Barbara went on to win 12 Emmy Awards and interviewed every US president from Richard Nixon to Donald Trump, as well as a multitude of celebrities, who have begun to pay tribute to her. 

© Photo: Getty Images

Barbara was the first female evening news anchor 

"I have been blessed with a life I never expected," she said back in 2000 as she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Barbara was a booking agent's daughter and began her career in journalism with NBC in 1961.

She rose through the ranks of a male dominated industry and was not only the first female co-host of a US news program but also the first female network news anchor on an evening bulletin. 

At the time, her $1million salary with ABC made her a media superstar. She retired from screens in 2014.

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