Barbara Walters, a trailblazing American journalist, left an indelible mark on broadcast journalism with a career spanning over six decades. Known for her groundbreaking interviews and iconic shows like The View and 20/20, Walters redefined what it meant to be a woman in media. As of her passing in December 2022, her net worth was estimated at $170 million, amassed through her illustrious career, high-profile salaries, and savvy business ventures. She was 93 years old at the time of her death, leaving behind her adopted daughter, Jacqueline Dena Guber, and a legacy of resilience and innovation. This article explores Walters’ biography, husbands, age, salary, dating history, and more, offering fresh insights into her life.
Early Life and Background: Age and Roots
Born on September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts, Barbara Jill Walters grew up in a Jewish family with Russian immigrant roots. Her father, Lou Walters, was a Broadway producer and nightclub owner, exposing young Barbara to the world of celebrities early on. This environment shaped her ability to connect with high-profile figures, a skill that later defined her interviewing style. By 2025, Walters would have been 96 years old, a testament to her longevity in both life and career. Her childhood was marked by financial ups and downs, as her father’s ventures fluctuated, teaching her resilience and adaptability—qualities that fueled her success.
Growing up, Walters attended prestigious schools like Ethical Culture Fieldston and Birch Wathen in New York City, graduating from Miami Beach High School in 1947. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Sarah Lawrence College in 1951, setting the stage for her media career. Her early exposure to show business gave her a unique perspective, making her comfortable with fame while grounding her in humility—a balance that made her relatable yet authoritative.
Career Highlights: Salary and Achievements
Walters’ career began in the 1950s as a writer and producer, but her breakthrough came in 1961 when she joined NBC’s The Today Show as a writer and researcher. By 1974, she became the first female co-host of the show, earning a salary of $700,000 per year (equivalent to over $4 million today). In 1976, she made history again as the first woman to co-anchor a network evening news program, ABC Evening News, with a groundbreaking $1 million annual salary. By 2000, her salary at ABC News and 20/20 reportedly reached $12 million annually, making her the highest-paid news anchor of her time.
Her creation of The View in 1997 revolutionized daytime television, blending journalism with entertainment. Walters’ ability to secure exclusive interviews with figures like Fidel Castro, Monica Lewinsky, and every U.S. president from Nixon to Obama cemented her legacy. Her annual Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People specials drew millions, showcasing her knack for storytelling. In my own experience watching her interviews, Walters’ empathetic yet direct questioning style made even the most guarded subjects open up, a technique aspiring journalists still study.
Net Worth in 2025: A Financial Legacy
At the time of her death in December 2022, Walters’ net worth was estimated at $170 million, a figure that reflects her high salaries, production ventures, and book deals. Her books, How to Talk with Practically Anybody About Practically Anything (1970) and Audition: A Memoir (2008), added to her wealth. Walters also sold her 50% stake in The View for an eight-figure sum upon retiring in 2014, a strategic move that bolstered her fortune. She donated $15 million to Sarah Lawrence College, reflecting her commitment to education.
Her wealth wasn’t just financial. Walters’ influence as a pioneer for women in journalism created opportunities for countless others. A 2023 study by the Women’s Media Center noted that women now make up 44% of newsroom leaders, a shift traceable to trailblazers like Walters. Her ability to negotiate high salaries set a precedent, empowering women to demand their worth in a male-dominated industry.
Personal Life: Husbands, Dating, and Daughter
Walters’ personal life was as dynamic as her career. She married three men four times, navigating love and loss. Her first marriage to Robert Henry Katz (1955–1957) ended in annulment. Her second, to theatrical producer Lee Guber (1963–1976), brought her daughter, Jacqueline Dena Guber, adopted in 1968 after Walters suffered three miscarriages. Named after Walters’ sister, Jacqueline faced challenges, including a strained relationship with her mother, though they later reconciled. Walters’ third husband, Merv Adelson, married her twice (1981–1984 and 1986–1992), both ending in divorce.
Her dating history included high-profile figures like lawyer Roy Cohn, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Senator John Warner, and gerontologist Robert Neil Butler. In her memoir, Walters revealed a 1970s affair with Senator Edward Brooke, which they ended to avoid scandal. Reflecting on her personal life, Walters said, “I’ve been auditioning all my life,” a poignant nod to her constant quest for acceptance, as noted in her 2008 memoir, Audition.
Health Struggles and Final Years
Walters faced health challenges later in life, including a 2010 open-heart surgery to replace a faulty aortic valve. In 2013, she contracted chickenpox, a rare occurrence for an adult, and suffered a fall that required hospitalization. By 2016, reports suggested Walters was dealing with dementia, limiting her public appearances. She passed away on December 30, 2022, at 93, surrounded by loved ones, as confirmed by her representative. Her funeral plans, meticulously detailed by Walters herself, included a video tribute to her career, showcasing her control over her legacy.
Barbara Walters’ Daughter: Jacqueline Dena Guber
Jacqueline Dena Guber, born in 1968, is Walters’ only child, adopted with Lee Guber. Named after Walters’ sister, Jacqueline pursued a career in film production, working on projects like The Prince of Egypt. Her relationship with Walters was complex, marked by periods of estrangement but eventual reconciliation. In a 2013 interview with Piers Morgan, Walters expressed regret for not having more children, a rare glimpse into her personal vulnerabilities. Jacqueline inherited part of Walters’ estate, alongside contributions to charities and her stepson, John.
Legacy and Impact in 2025
In 2025, Walters’ influence endures. The documentary Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything (2025) explores her life, offering new interviews with colleagues and never-before-seen footage. Her creation, The View, continues to thrive, with hosts like Whoopi Goldberg carrying her vision forward. Walters’ interviewing style—empathic yet incisive—remains a benchmark, as seen in modern journalists like Oprah Winfrey, who credited Walters as a role model. Her ability to break barriers while maintaining authenticity inspires new generations.
Barbara Walters Biography Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Barbara Jill Walters |
| Birth Date | September 25, 1929 |
| Age at Death | 93 (Died December 30, 2022) |
| Birthplace | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Parents | Dena Seletsky and Lou Walters |
| Siblings | Jacqueline (sister, deceased 1985), Burton (brother, deceased 1932) |
| Education | B.A. in English, Sarah Lawrence College, 1951 |
| First Husband | Robert Henry Katz (m. 1955–1957, annulled) |
| Second Husband | Lee Guber (m. 1963–1976, divorced) |
| Third Husband | Merv Adelson (m. 1981–1984, 1986–1992, divorced) |
| Daughter | Jacqueline Dena Guber (adopted 1968) |
| Notable Romances | Roy Cohn, Alan Greenspan, Edward Brooke, John Warner, Robert Neil Butler |
| Net Worth | $170 million (at time of death, 2022) |
| Key Shows | The Today Show, ABC Evening News, 20/20, The View |
| Major Salaries | $700,000 (Today, 1974), $1 million (ABC, 1976), $12 million (2000) |
| Books | How to Talk with Practically Anybody (1970), Audition: A Memoir (2008) |
| Awards | Primetime Emmy, 3 Daytime Emmys, 7 News & Documentary Emmys, GLAAD Award |
| Health Issues | Aortic valve surgery (2010), chickenpox (2013), reported dementia (2016) |
| Death | December 30, 2022, New York City |
