Barbara Walters Interview: Shattering Glass Ceilings in the Newsroom

Gloria Steinem interviews Barbara Walters. They discuss various aspects of women's progress and challenges in society. Walters recalls her experiences as a pioneering female journalist, reflects on the challenges she faced, and examines the complex factors that contribute to an individual's resilience and success in the face of societal barriers. Barbara Jill Walters was born on September 25, 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts. Walters attended Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, graduating in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in English. After a brief stint as a secretary, she landed her first job in journalism as the assistant to publicity director and Republican activist Tex McCary of WRCA-TV. After sharpening her writing and producing skills at the NBC affiliate, Walters moved to CBS, where she wrote material for the network’s Morning Show. In 1961, NBC hired Walters to work as a researcher and writer for its popular Today show. By 1964, Walters became a staple of the Today show—starring alongside Hugh Downs and, later, Frank McGee. Although serving as a co-host, she wasn’t given that official billing until 1974. Walters remained on the show for 11 years, during which time she honed her trademark probing-yet-casual interviewing technique. In 1975, she won her first Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award for best host in a talk series. Walters accepted a job at ABC in 1976 as the first woman co-anchor of a network evening news program. She became known for her deftly maneuvered questions, often catching her subjects off guard and revealing uncommon candor. In 1979, Walters became a part-time correspondent for the ABC news show 20/20. By fall 1981, she was a regular contributor to the program. She, along with former Today show partner Hugh Downs, was elevated to co-host in 1984. Downs retired in 1999, and Walters continued to co-host the show. In September 2000, Walters renewed her contract with ABC News for five more years. Her reported $12 million yearly salary made her the highest-paid news host in history. Walters stepped down as co-host of 20/20 in 2004. In 1997, Walters premiered a mid-morning talk show called The View, for which she was co-executive producer and co-host. In May 2013, Walters announced her retirement from television journalism. Walters was married to three different men and had several high profile relationships. Walters died On December 30, 2022. From the 2013 PBS Documentary “Makers: Women Who Make America”, examines how women have helped shape America over the past 150 years, striving for a full and fair share of political power and economic opportunity. Subscribe for access to interviews, series, films, and educational materials that address issues of social justice, history, politics, the arts, and culture by spotlighting relatable human stories of purpose and meaning. Learn about our work and how to support our mission here: https://www.lifestories.org/. For extended versions of these interviews and more, visit: @lifestoriesinterviewarchive Follow us on Instagram: Instagram: lifestoriesdotorg Barbara Walters, Broadcast Journalist 00:00 Intro 00:08 Becoming Barbara Walters 04:04 The Today Show 07:38 Problems with Frank McGee 09:23 Landing big interviews 10:38 Courage under fire 15:09 Women at NBC News 16:50 Alone at ABC News 20:54 Million dollar baby 22:36 Letters of encouragement 25:47 Oprah 26:19 SNL 27:39 Confidence with age 29:20 Not For Women Only 30:02 The View 32:06 The women’s movement 37:13 Problems with Peter Jennings 39:31 Source of strength ©Kunhardt Productions & McGee Media. All rights reserved. #BarbaraWalters #kunhardtfilmfoundation