In the hours after iconic newswomanBarbara Waltersdiedon Friday, tributes poured in from famous friends, colleagues and fans.
“She lived her life with no regrets,” Berger’s statement continued. “She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists, but for all women.”
Former Walt Disney Company CEORobert Igerwas among the first to reflect on Walters' “one-of-a-kind” legacy and sent his condolences to Walters' daughter Jacqueline.
Several tributes came in from co-hosts ofThe View, which Walters created 1997 and moderated for many years.Rosie O’Donnellsimply called her former boss and colleague a"legend"on Instagram.
Star Jones, one ofThe View’s first-ever co-hosts, tweeted: “I owe Barbara Walters more than I could ever repay.Rest well sister…mother…friend…colleague…mentor.”
Jones' fellow OGViewco-host Debbie Matenopoulos shared on her Instagram Story that she was"so so so sad…. No words right now."
Donna Svennevik/Walt Disney Television via Getty
The Story included a picture of Walters and Matenopouloson set in 1997. “My first month on @theviewabc my best friend took this picture from the audience and literally just showed it to me about 4 hours ago!!!” she reminisced. “We were laughing so hard about how young and silly I was and then about an hour later I got the news. I am in shock. I love you Barbara always and forever. You taught me everything !!!”
Former panelistMeghan McCainwrote, in part, that Walters' “hard hitting questions and welcoming demeanor made hera household name and leader in American journalism.”
McCain’s conservative predecessorElisabeth Hasselbeckshared an Instagram Reel with a caption that read, in part, “I love ❤️ you Barbara.GOD is in this story. I have few words tonight.” Plugging her next Fox News appearance, she added, “It will be an honor to be broadcasting about your love and legacy. 🙏 #thebeststoriesareinheaven”
Members of the broadcast journalism community also offered condolences, praise and memories, withGood Morning AmericaanchorRobin Robertsnoting she’d be “forever gratefulfor [Barbara’s] stellar example and for her friendship.”
Former longtimeCBS Evening NewsanchorDan Rathertweeted, “The world of journalism has losta pillar of professionalism, courage, and integrity. Barbara Walters was a trailblazer and a true pro. She outworked, out-thought, and out-hustled her competitors. She left the world the better for it. She will be deeply missed. RIP”
ABC News and20/20correspondentDeborah Robertsreflected on how she’d “never forgetthe phone call when she asked meto join the groundbreaking program.”
FormerGMAhostJoan Lundenwrote, “We have lost a true legend with the passing of Barbara Walters. Such a trail blazer. Such a generous woman -I learned so much from working with her.”
Tamron Hallcalled her fellow formerTodayshow anchor"The Legend. The Blueprint. The Greatest."
Maria Shrivergot personal: “[Barbara] wasa mentor to me as well as a friend. So many women broke into the news business because she did her job well.”
World News Tonightanchor David Muir wrote, “So often we toss around the words icon, legend, trailblazer - but Barbara Walters was all of these. And perhaps, above all else,Barbara Walters was brave. She paved the way for so many - we learned from her - and remain in awe of her to this day. RIP, Barbara.”
FormerTodayshow hostKatie Couricadded that Walters “was the OG of female broadcasters. She was just as comfortable interviewing world leaders as she was Oscar winners and her body of work is unparalleled.”
“She liked to say we were similar — that neither of us was particularly glamorous,” added Couric. “I never quite knew how to take that! But the fact that Barbara saw some of her on me was nothing but a compliment. Thank you for everything, Barbara. ❤️#RIP”
FROM THE PEOPLE ARCHIVES:Fans, Fun and Oprah: Barbara Walters Celebrates Her Final Day onThe Viewin 2014
Among the fans and former hot seat occupants who chimed in,Monica Lewinsky— who sat down with Walters for a powerful interview during the media storm that surrounded her White House affair with then-PresidentBill Clinton— shared aTwitter threadabout her 25-year connection to Waltrs.
“i knew barbara for over half of my life,” she began. “we stayed in touch over the past 25 years. the last time we saw each other was for lunch a few years ago. of course, she was charming, witty and some of her questions were still her signature interview style.”
Basketball legendKareem Abdul-Jabbarpraised the fact Walters “never flinched when questioning the world’s most powerful people.She held them accountable.She cared about the truth and she made us care too.”
Abbott ElementarystarSheryl Lee Ralphtweeted:“Rest in Peace precious Peace Barbara Walters!!”
Who’s the Boss?starAlyssa Milanocredited Walters for “forhelping me find my voice.”
Talk show hostDrew Barrymore, who has followed in Walters' footsteps withThe Drew Barrymore Show, called her “A true pioneer who was never one to shy away from questions and go after the truth she was seeking. I respected her because she did it all, and spoke to everyone and broke barriers. What an amazing life she lived.”
In a statement shared through ABC News' Twitter account, Diane Sawyer described Walters as “a trailblazer, a singular force who opened the door for every woman in television news.”
“She was also the history maker right down the hall - my friend and road buddy, eager to talk about the news world, the decade of passion work - the curiosity and laughter that gets us all through,” she added. “Sadness. Gratitude. And a salute from all of us who knew what we owe her.”
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also paid tribute with a statement on Twitter as well. “Barbara Walters was a trailblazer and an icon: transforming television journalism with her intellect and integrity, courage and poise,” she wrote. “For decades, she never shied away from asking the tough questions to people in power, and she never tired in her relentless pursuit of truth.”
Added Pelosi: “Personally, it was my privilege to sit down with Barbara several times — from news programming to The View — and see her masterful work firsthand. Her passing is a great loss — but her legendary legacy will inspire generations of newswomen. May she rest in peace.”
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“To have the opportunity to work with her was somewhat of a dream come true. I think that she hesitated with me in terms of hiring me because she didn’t know I was funny. But Barbara took a chance on me. It wasn’t a job that I was looking for and particularly interested in until I auditioned,” she said. “And then I realized, ‘I don’t know why I’d really enjoy this, but I do.'”
“Once you work with Barbara, she’s a very complicated person,” Vieira added of her former boss. “On one hand,she’s very kind and generous, and on the other, a real taskmaster and tough as nails, which is why she succeeded in this business at a time when there were so few women. She had not only brains, but real tenacity.”
source: people.com
