Trailblazing broadcaster Barbara Walters (September 25, 1929-December 30, 2022) forged a path for women in an industry that was dominated by men, so much so that, when she was hired as a writer for NBC’s “Today” in 1961, she was only allowed to write for women. Writing for male correspondents would become only one of many glass ceilings she would break.
She began making on-air appearances with light, offbeat stories, for which she once wore bunny ears to report on the life of a Playboy bunny. In addition to “Today,” she also hosted the syndicated morning show “Not for Women Only.”
Walters would become the co-host of “Today,” only to be lured away by ABC News in 1976, becoming the first woman to anchor an evening network newscast, earning an unprecedented $1 million salary.
But co-anchoring with Harry Reasoner proved disastrous, and ABC News president Roone Arledge moved her into special projects, with primetime interview specials and contributions to the newsmagazine “20/20,” a show she would eventually co-host. And in 1997, she created “The View,” an all-female live talk show that tackled any and every topic.
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