NATIONAL —Barbara Walters, one of the most renowned and respected journalists of our time, passed away Friday, at the age of 93, according to a statement from her spokesperson.
“Barbara Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones,” the statement said. “She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists but for all women.”
Walters began her career in the early 1960s and quickly rose to prominence, making history in the mid-1970s as the first woman to anchor a national nightly news program. Throughout her decades-long career, she interviewed an impressive array of celebrities, world leaders, and other high-profile figures, including Monica Lewinsky in 1999 and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in 2001.
Her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft were recognized with numerous Emmy awards, and she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. In addition, Walters was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The loss of Barbara Walters is a great one for the journalism community and the world at large. Her pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment will be missed by many.
Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger had this to say about Walters’s passing, “Barbara was a true legend, a pioneer not just for women in journalism but for journalism itself. She was a one-of-a-kind reporter who landed many of the most important interviews of our time, from heads of state and leaders of regimes to the biggest celebrities and sports icons. I had the pleasure of calling Barbara a colleague for more than three decades, but more importantly, I was able to call her a dear friend. She will be missed by all of us at The Walt Disney Company, and we send our deepest condolences to her daughter, Jacqueline.”