Barbara Walters, a pioneering television journalist at the age 93, has died

Barbara Walters, pioneering television journalist and first woman to anchor an evening newscast, has passed away at the age of 93.

Walters, who was a cultural icon over her 40-year tenure at ABC TV, passed away Friday at her New York residence, according to the Associated Press. tweetFriday Evening by Robert Iger (CEO of The Walt Disney Company’s parent company, ABC).

Iger stated in a statement that Barbara was a true pioneer for women journalism and journalism. “She was a rare reporter, who conducted many of the most important interviews in our time, including those with heads of states and the biggest celebrities and sports stars.”

“Barbara Walters, her beloved mother, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded with her loved ones. She lived her life with no regrets. Cindy Berger, publisher, stated that she was a pioneer not just for women journalists but all women.

ABC, the network for whom she worked for nearly 40 years, also announced her passing late Friday. Walters has also been a celebrity for her interviews with heads of state, elected officials, and Hollywood entertainers. Apart from hosting NBC’s Today, ABC’s 20/20 news shows, Walters was also well-known for her recurring specials like her annual Top 10 Show.

Walters started her career in broadcast TV in 1961 as a researcher on NBC’s “Today”, before becoming co-host in 1973. Her 1976 move to ABC was a major news story. She was the first female anchor for the network. for the women’s network. Her five-year contract earned her an unprecedented $1million salary.

She was well-known for asking probing questions to her guests, often causing them to become emotional and start crying on camera. She has interviewed every US President from Richard Nixon through Barack Obama. Lucille Ball, Grace Kelly, and John Wayne – his final television interview prior to his death three months later.

She was also famous for her lisp. It was a speech impediment that made her an icon in culture. In 1970s sketch on Saturday Night Live, Gilda Radner portrayed her as Baba Wawa.

Walters retired in 2014 from The View, her morning talk show on television that she started in 1997. This was the end of a 53-year career as a broadcast journalist that brought her 12 Emmy Awards.