Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Emily Foster

Barbara Walters is a renowned American broadcast journalist, television personality, and author with a net worth of approximately $170 million.
She has left an indelible mark on the world of journalism. With a career spanning decades, her contributions have been groundbreaking, reflecting her success and longevity in the industry.
In this article, we will explore her worth, delve into some interesting facts about her life and career, and provide answers to common questions about this iconic figure.
Bio Table for Barbara Walters
Attribute | Detail |
---|---|
Profession | Journalist, Television Producer, Author, Presenter, Screenwriter, Actor, Talk Show Host |
Net Worth | $170 Million |
Birthdate | September 25, 1929 |
Date of Death | December 30, 2022 |
Age at Death | 93 years old |
Birthplace | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
Gender | Female |
Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.65 m) |
Nationality | United States of America |
Education | Sarah Lawrence College (Bachelor of Arts in English, 1951) |
Marital Status | Married four times; last marriage ended in divorce in 2013 |
Children | One daughter, Jacqueline Dena Guber (adopted in 1968) |
Notable Works | The Today Show, ABC Evening News, 20/20, The View, Audition: A Memoir |
Awards and Honors | Multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Induction into the Television Hall of Fame |
Legacy | Pioneering female journalist, known for breaking barriers in the field and conducting iconic interviews; contributions to journalism and philanthropy continue to inspire future generations |
Philanthropic Efforts | Supported causes related to education, health, and women’s empowerment; donated time and resources to various charitable organizations |
Barbara Walters’ Net Worth
She was a broadcast journalist, author, and television personality who left an indelible mark on American journalism.
Barbara Walters With a net worth estimated at $170 million at the time of her death on December 30, 2022, Walters’ legacy is not only measured in monetary terms but also in the trail she blazed for female journalists.
Her career spanned several decades, during which she hosted and produced iconic television shows such as 20/20,
The View, and the ABC Evening News.
As the first woman to co-host an American news program in 1974 and later as the co-anchor of a network evening news program in 1976, Walters broke barriers and set new standards in broadcast journalism.
Walters’ net worth was a cumulative reflection of her iconic contributions to broadcast journalism, her appearances on shows like The Today Show, which she joined as a writer and researcher in 1961, and later became its co-host.
She was also the co-creator of The View, a show that has become a staple in American daytime television.
Beyond her work on television, Walters published several books, including How to Talk with Practically Anybody about Practically Anything in 1970 and Audition:
A Memoir in 2008. Her annual specials, Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People, were highly anticipated and added to her financial success.
Walters’ legacy is not only in the groundbreaking stories and interviews she conducted but also in the barriers she broke for women in journalism.
Her net worth is a testament to her illustrious career and the impact she had on the world of TV shows and news
What did Barbara Walters earn from Today?
Barbara Walters’ stint on Today marked a significant chapter in her illustrious career.
Before joining the show, she was hired as a writer and researcher for CBS The Morning Show and later became an occasional correspondent and Today girl in 1962.
Walters also produced the NBC New York Affiliate show, Not For Women Only, which was later renamed For Women Only in 1964. As a co-host of Today, her role came with a salary of $700,000 per year, which is equivalent to about $6.7 million in today’s standards, considering inflation.
Despite being both loved and hated, she was undoubtedly watched by millions, as noted by Stuart Schulberg, a Today producer, in an interview with The New York Times in 1977.
In addition to her earnings from Today, Walters made a substantial amount of money from her television hosting roles on 20/20, The View, and the ABC Evening News.

Her high-profile interviews with personalities and world leaders added to her fame and fortune. Walters also earned from book sales, with titles like How to Talk with Practically Anybody about Practically Anything and Audition: A Memoir.
Her success was not just in making a difference in the field of journalism but also in her philanthropic donation of $15 million to Sarah Lawrence College, reflecting her commitment to giving back to the community.
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Barbara Walters’ Earnings from ABC Evening News
Barbara Walters’ transition from Today to the ABC Evening News was a significant milestone in her career, marked by a base contract that earned her $1 million a year as an anchor, a figure that would translate to approximately $5.23 million in today’s standards.
This move made her not only one of the highest-paid anchors on air at the time but also a trailblazer for women in television. Despite the groundbreaking nature of her role, her tenure was not without challenges.
Walters co-hosted alongside Harry Reasoner, whose cold reception was well-documented, including in a candid interview with Vogue where Walters expressed feeling insulted and undervalued as an educated woman in television.
The dynamics off-camera were equally awful, with studio stagehands reportedly reluctant to even talk to her, a reflection of the gender biases prevalent in the industry at that time.
Walters’ earnings from the ABC Evening News were just one aspect of her financial success, which was complemented by her salaries from hosting other shows like 20/20, The View, and her high-profile interviews with personalities and world leaders.
Her book sales, including titles like How to Talk with Practically Anybody about Practically Anything and Audition: A Memoir, also contributed to her wealth.
Beyond her personal gains, Walters demonstrated a commitment to making a difference through her philanthropic donation of $15 million to Sarah Lawrence College, showcasing the breadth of her success beyond the television studio.
Barbara Walters’ Net Worth Information
Attribute | Detail |
---|---|
Net Worth | $170 Million |
Salary at Peak of Career | $12 Million per year |
Annual Salary | Not specified |
Salary in 1970s (Today Show) | $700,000 per year (equivalent to about $6.7 million in today’s dollars) |
Salary as ABC Evening News Anchor | $1 million per year (equivalent to approximately $5.23 million in today’s standards) |
Barbara Walters’ Earnings from 20/20
Barbara Walters’ role on 20/20, the primetime magazine show on the ABC network, was another significant chapter in her illustrious career.
Her earnings from the show, especially towards her retirement, were reported to be around $12 million a year, reflecting her status as one of the most respected journalists in the industry.
During her run on 20/20, Walters interviewed a host of influential figures, including Russian President Boris Yeltsin, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein.
She was also the first person to interview George W.
Bush after the September 11 Attacks and conducted the infamous Monica Lewinsky interview, which drew 50 million viewers and sparked considerable criticism for its emotional depth, especially when Lewinsky remarked, “Mommy made a big mistake,” a line Walters later referred to as the “understatement of the year.”
After 25 years as co-host and chief correspondent, Walters left the show in 2004. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, she expressed her wishes to see the world beyond the confines of a studio and her work on 20/20.
Walters spoke of her yearning to explore places like South Africa and China, where she had been four times, but always through the lens of her journalistic duties.
Her departure from 20/20 marked the end of an era, but also the beginning of new adventures for Walters, who had worked her entire life to bring the stories of the world to the homes of viewers, whether it be from a city, a country, or a primetime special like Oprah’s work in South Africa, which moved her to tears.
Barbara Walters’ Earnings from The View
Barbara Walters, one of the creators and longtime hosts of The View, a daytime talk show that has become a staple in American television, had a significant financial stake in the program.
She maintained a 50 percent stake in the show until her last episode as a co-host, which aired on May 15, 2014.
The farewell episode was a star-studded affair, with colleagues like Oprah Winfrey, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Lara Spencer, and Katie Couric in attendance, all of whom are incredible women who have been influenced by Walters’ pioneering career.
In her parting words, Walters expressed her gratitude, saying, “I stand on the shoulders of these incredible women,” highlighting the honor she felt in being part of such a groundbreaking show.
After leaving The View in 2014, Walters sold her stakes in the show for tens of millions of dollars, a move that significantly pulled her net worth up to between $140 million and $170 million.
Despite her retirement, Walters continued to guest appear on the show and remained active in the public eye.
In a 2015 interview with Vogue, she shared how she enjoyed speaking her mind on political opinions and issues, whether it was being opinionated about a party, a vote, a candidate, pro-life, or pro-choice.
Beyond her career in the news department, Walters’ philanthropic efforts included donating $15 million to her alma mater, Sarah Lawerence College.
This donation was the largest the school had ever received from a single donor, leading to the naming of The Barbara Walters Campus Center on the New York City Campus in her honor.
Audition by Barbara Walters
Barbara Walters’ 2008 book, Audition: A Memoir, is a New York Times bestseller that offers readers a glimpse into her life and groundbreaking career.
As the first female anchor on the TODAY show, Walters carved a name for herself in the male-dominated broadcast industry, going on to host such iconic shows as ABC Nightly News, 20/20, and The View, which she also created.
In her autobiography, she reflects on her 50-plus-years of interviewing a diverse array of individuals, from heads of state and world leaders to movie stars, criminals, murderers, inspirational figures, and celebrities like Princess Diana, Katharine Hepburn, and the Dalai Lama.
Walters’ memoir is heartbreaking, honest, surprising, and fun, offering an intimate look at the story of a woman who has interviewed some of the most interesting people in the world and, in the process, become one of them herself.
Audition is not just a recounting of her professional achievements but also a personal narrative that sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of her life, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the world of journalism or the life of one of its most influential figures
Barbara Walters Early Life
Barbara Walters, born Barbara Jill Walters on September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts, had a unique upbringing influenced by her parents, Dena and Louis (“Lou”). Her father, a Jewish man, managed the Boston nightclub, Latin Quarter, and later expanded his ventures to include a chain of nightclubs.
In 1937, he became a Broadway producer and the Entertainment Director at the Las Vegas Tropicana Resort and Casino, exposing young Barbara to a world filled with celebrities from her youth.
Tragically, Walters faced personal losses early in life; her older sister, Jacqueline, who was mentally disabled, passed away from ovarian cancer in 1985, and her brother, Burton, died of pneumonia in 1932.
The family moved several times during Walters’ childhood, leading her to attend various schools including the Lawrence School in Brookline, Massachusetts, the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, the Birch Wathen School in New York City, and finally Miami Beach High School, where she received her diploma in 1947.
After moving to Florida, she attended Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1951.
Walters’ early job experiences included working at a small advertising agency, as well as positions at NBC affiliate WNBT-TV, where she was involved in writing press releases and producing a children’s program, Ask the Camera.
She later produced the Eloise McElhone Show on WPIX, which was cancelled in 1954. In 1955, she joined The Morning Show on CBS, setting the stage for her illustrious journalism and television career.
Barbara Walters Career
Barbara Walters’ career in journalism and television spans over six decades, marked by significant contributions and groundbreaking achievements.
In 1961, Walters joined NBC’s The Today Show as a writer and researcher, eventually becoming the first female co-host in 1974. She was known for her lighter-fare stories and weather segments as the
Today Girl, but quickly established herself as a reporter-at-large, conducting interviews and reports alongside host Frank McGee.
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From 1971-1976, she also hosted Not for Women Only on a local NBC affiliate.
Walters’ career took a historic turn when she co-anchored the ABC Evening News with Harry Reasoner from 1976-1978, becoming the first woman to co-anchor a network evening news program.
Despite Reasoner’s disdain, she persevered and in 1979 became a co-anchor on 20/20 with Hugh Downs, a position she held until her retirement in 2004.
In August 1997, Walters created the daytime talk show The View, which she co-hosted with a rotating panel including Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Debbie Matenopoulos, Joy Behar, Lisa Ling, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Rosie O’Donnell, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, and Jenny McCarthy.
The show won a Daytime Emmy for Best Talk Show in 2003 and Best Talk Show Host in 2009. Walters retired as a co-host on May 15, 2014, but made a guest host appearance in 2015.
Throughout her career, Walters conducted high-profile interviews with world leaders such as Anwar Al Sadat, Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin, Margaret Thatcher, and Fidel Castro, as well as U.S. presidents and entertainers like Michael Jackson, Katharine Hepburn, and Sir Laurence Olivier.

Her 1999 interview with Monica Lewinsky drew 74 million viewers, making it the second most-watched interview in television history.
Even after her retirement, Walters continued to make an impact with interviews with figures such as Donald and Melania Trump, Mary Kay Letourneau, and Peter Rodger, the father of the Isla Vista, California shooter in 2014.
She also hosted American Scandals on Investigation Discovery in 2015 and continued her 10 Most Fascinating People specials in 2014 and 2015.
Barbara Walters’ career is a testament to her dedication to telling compelling stories and her impact on journalism and television.
She broke glass ceilings for future generations of female journalists with her fearless and determined approach to her work.
Her achievements and milestones, including being the first female co-host of The Today Show and the first woman to co-anchor a network evening news program, along with her multiple Emmy Awards and induction into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame, underscore her status as an influential figure in television journalism.
Barbara Walters Personal Life
Barbara Walters’ personal life was as dynamic as her career, marked by several marriages and relationships with notable figures.
She was married four times, first to business executive Robert Henry Katz on June 20, 1955, but the marriage was annulled in 1957 after just 11 months.
Her second marriage was to theatrical producer Lee Guber on December 8, 1963, with whom she adopted a daughter, Jacqueline, in 1968. The couple divorced in 1976.
Walters then married Lorimar Television CEO Merv Adelson twice, first from 1981-1984 and then from 1986-1992.
In her college years, Walters dated lawyer Roy Cohn in the 1970s, and later had a relationship with Alan Greenspan, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman, in 1987.
She was also linked to Senator John Warner in the 1990s. In 2007, she began a relationship with Pulitzer Prize–winning gerontologist Robert Neil Butler, which lasted until 2010.
Walters’ charm and ability to connect with people were evident both on-screen and off-screen, although she maintained a level of privacy about her personal life.
Despite her many professional achievements, her high-profile marriage to Senator John Warner and her relationship with lawyer Roy Cohn drew media attention, highlighting the intersection between her professional life and her interviews with influential individuals.
In 2010, Walters took 6 months off from The View for open heart surgery to correct aortic valve stenosis with a faulty aortic valve replacement.
The surgery was a success, and she returned to her jobs in September of the same year. She retired in 2014 and passed away in Manhattan on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93.
In her later years, Walters suffered from dementia, which contributed to her declining health over several years.
Despite her many marriages and relationships, Walters once expressed a wish that she had spent more time with her daughter, reflecting on the personal sacrifices made throughout her life.
Barbara Walters Awards and Honors
Throughout her impressive career, Barbara Walters was honored with numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to journalism and broadcasting.
She received the highest award from the Overseas Press Club, the President’s Award, as well as the Lowell Thomas Award for journalism excellence.
Her impact on the industry was further acknowledged with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation and the Muse Award from New York Women in Film and Television.
Walters’ talent as a television host, interviewer, and producer was recognized with a Primetime Emmy Award and 3 Daytime Emmy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.
She also won 7 News and Documentary Emmy Awards for her groundbreaking work in the industry. In addition, she was honored by GLAAD for her reporting and storytelling that resonated with audiences across the globe.
Her impact on women in journalism was celebrated with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation, highlighting her role in paving the way for future generations of journalists and media professionals.
Walters’ prestigious accolades, including her induction into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame, are a testament to her influence on television journalism and her enduring legacy in the field.
Barbara Walters’ NYC Mansion
Barbara Walters’ NYC Mansion was an 11-room apartment located at 944 Fifth Avenue in New York City, offering breathtaking views of Central Park.
The spacious layout included a library, a formal dining room, and a large living room, making it perfect for both entertainment and relaxation.
The elegance of the apartment, combined with its prime location, made it a coveted piece of real estate and a fitting residence for an iconic television figure like Walters.
The apartment’s historical significance added to its allure, making it a notable part of Walters’ legacy.
Six Interesting Facts about Barbara Walters
Early Aspirations: Despite her father’s renown in the entertainment industry, Barbara Walters initially aspired to become a doctor.
However, her passion for journalism eventually led her down a different career path, where she became one of the most prominent figures in the industry.
Breaking Barriers: Walters made history as the first female co-anchor of an evening news program in the United States. Her appointment to the ABC Evening News in 1976 was a significant achievement that paved the way for future generations of female journalists.
The View: In 1997, Walters co-created and co-hosted the popular daytime talk show The View, which further solidified her status as an influential television personality.
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Impressive Interview Portfolio: Over the years, Walters conducted high-profile interviews with world leaders, celebrities, and controversial figures, including a notable interview with Monica Lewinsky in 1999 that garnered record-breaking ratings and showcased her skills as an interviewer.
Literary Success: In addition to her television career, Walters is a successful author. Her memoir, Audition, published in 2008, became a New York Times bestseller and offered insights into both her personal and professional life.
Philanthropic Endeavors: Despite her immense success, Walters remained committed to philanthropy, supporting various causes related to education, health, and women’s empowerment. She donated both her time and resources to various charitable organizations.

14 Common Questions about Barbara Walters
1)How old was Barbara Walters?
Barbara Walters was 94 years old in 2023.
2)What was Barbara Walters famous for?
Barbara Walters was famous for her remarkable career in journalism, including her groundbreaking interviews and hosting roles on popular television shows.
3)What awards did Barbara Walters receive?
Barbara Walters received multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
4)Who were some of Barbara Walters’ notable interviewees?
Some of her notable interviewees included Fidel Castro, Vladimir Putin, Monica Lewinsky, Michael Jackson, and Oprah Winfrey.
5)What was Barbara Walters’ highest-rated interview?
Her 1999 interview with Monica Lewinsky was her highest-rated, drawing a record-breaking audience.
6)When did Barbara Walters retire from television journalism?
Barbara Walters retired from television journalism in 2014 after an illustrious career spanning five decades.
7)What was Barbara Walters’ annual salary at the peak of her career?
At the peak of her career, Barbara Walters’ annual salary was $12 million.
8)What controversies surrounded Barbara Walters?
One of the controversies surrounding Barbara Walters was her interview with Monica Lewinsky, which affected public perception of her reporting style.
9)How many times was Barbara Walters married, and when was her most recent marriage and divorce?
Barbara Walters was married four times, with her most recent marriage ending in divorce in 2013.
10)Did Barbara Walters have any children?
Barbara Walters had one daughter, Jacqueline Dena Guber, whom she adopted in 1968.
12)What books did Barbara Walters write?
Barbara Walters wrote a memoir titled How to Talk with Practically Anybody About Practically Anything and another memoir, Audition: A Memoir.
13)How did Barbara Walters contribute to gender discrimination and women in journalism?
As one of the most prominent female journalists, Barbara Walters was a trailblazer who broke barriers and paved the way for women in journalism.
14)What was Barbara Walters’ contribution to journalism?
Barbara Walters’ contribution to journalism was immeasurable, with her revolutionary approach, groundbreaking interviews, and role in breaking glass ceilings and bringing women’s voices to the forefront of news reporting.
15)What is Barbara Walters’ legacy?
Barbara Walters’ legacy is her trailblazing success, commitment to journalism, and impact on the industry, inspiring generations of female journalists with her insightful interviews.
Conclusion
Barbara Walters, with a net worth of approximately $170 million in 2023, leaves behind a remarkable career filled with achievements in breaking barriers as a female journalist.
Her iconic interviews have left an indelible mark on the field of journalism, showcasing her philanthropy and dedication to empowering women.
Walters’ contributions and legacy continue to inspire aspiring journalists and broadcasters, shaping the future of the industry.