Barbara Walters Net Worth

Barbara Walters (September 25, 1929 – December 30, 2022) was a prominent American broadcast journalist and television personality known for her interviewing skills and popularity with viewers. She hosted several TV programs, including Today, the ABC Evening News, 20/20, and The View, and was a pioneer for women in broadcasting.

Walters interviewed numerous influential figures, including U.S. presidents and first ladies, as well as international leaders. She was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1989 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NATAS in 2000.

Barbara Walters had a net worth of $170 million at the time of her death. She lived in a co-op building at 944 Fifth Avenue in New York City for three decades.

Her apartment, listed for sale in April 2023 for $19.75 million, features 11 rooms, including a library, formal dining room, dressing room, and a large living room with a direct view of Central Park. The asking price was later reduced to $17 million in early 2024.

Early life

Barbara Jill Walters was born in Boston, to Dena and Lou Walters, both children of Russian Jewish immigrants. Lou managed the Latin Quarter nightclub in Boston and later opened the renowned New York location. He also produced Broadway shows and worked as the entertainment director for a Las Vegas casino.

Barbara’s family faced financial ups and downs in show business. She attended Lawrence School in Brookline, Massachusetts, before moving to Miami Beach and then New York City for her education, eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Sarah Lawrence College in 1951.

Career

Barbara Jill Walters began her career at NBC’s flagship station WNBT-TV (now WNBC), working in publicity and writing press releases. She produced a children’s program called Ask the Camera in 1953 and worked with TV host Igor Cassini before leaving due to his advances. She then produced the Eloise McElhone Show at WPIX, which was canceled in 1954.

Walters joined CBS’s The Morning Show in 1955 before moving to NBC’s The Today Show in 1961 as a writer and researcher, eventually becoming a reporter-at-large. In 1974, she became the first female co-host of a U.S. news program when she was named co-host of The Today Show. She later co-anchored the ABC Evening News with Harry Reasoner from 1976 to 1978, becoming the first U.S. female network news anchor.

Walters joined ABC’s 20/20 in 1979 as a correspondent and became co-host in 1984, staying until her retirement in 2004. She was known for her “personality journalism” and high-profile interviews, including with world leaders and celebrities. Walters also created and co-hosted The View, a daytime talk show, from 1997 to 2014.

Personal life

Barbara Walters was married four times to three different men. Her first marriage to Robert Henry Katz was annulled after eleven months. She then married Lee Guber in 1963, with whom she adopted a daughter named Jacqueline Dena Guber.

Walters’ third marriage was to Merv Adelson, CEO of Lorimar Television, first in 1981 and then again in 1986, both ending in divorce. Walters dated lawyer Roy Cohn in college and testified as a character witness at his disbarment trial. She also had relationships with Alan Greenspan, John Warner, Edward Brooke, and Robert Neil Butler.

What happened to Barbara Walters?

In May 2010, Barbara Walters announced that she would undergo open-heart surgery to replace a faulty aortic valve, despite being symptom-free. The operation was successful, and she returned to her shows, The View and Here’s Barbara, in September 2010.

Walters retired from both shows in 2014. She passed away at her Manhattan home on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93, after suffering from dementia in her later years. Her gravestone bears her final words, “No regrets – I had a great life.”

Conclusion

Barbara Walters was more than just a journalist; she was an era in herself. Her legacy, marked by groundbreaking interviews and a connection with the masses, will remain unparalleled. While her net worth speaks volumes about her success, her impact on the world of journalism and beyond is truly immeasurable.

FAQs about Barbara Walters Net Worth

When did Barbara Walters retire?
- Walters retired in 2014.
How many times was Walters married?
- Barbara Walters was married four times to three different men.
Was Barbara Walters the first female anchor for a network evening news show?
- Yes, she was the first woman to take on that role.
How did Barbara Walters contribute to history?
- Among many achievements, her 1977 interview with the leaders of Israel and Egypt foreshadowed their peace treaty.
What is a notable quote from Walters?
- One of the most touching was her final words, “No regrets — I had a great life.”