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How did Barbara Walters die? Pioneering newswoman, 93, remembered by Oprah Winfrey and Bob Iger

Walters interviewed many high-profile individuals from heads of state to Hollywood celebs during her more than 50 years on television

Barbara Walters, the legendary television journalist, was pronounced dead at the age of 93. ABC News, her former employer, broke the news of her death on December 30. Walters was known to be suffering from advanced dementia and stayed in bed, failing to recognize her loved ones during her final days. She was quietly fighting a private health battle before her death in her NYC home.

Walters interviewed many high-profile individuals from heads of state to Hollywood glitterati during her more than 50 years on television. Along the way, she became an icon herself, becoming the first woman to co-anchor a nightly news program and co-host many others, winning awards, writing two books and creating 'The View'. Throughout her groundbreaking, decades-long career, Walters starred with 'Today Girl' in 1974 for which she won her first Daytime Emmy the following year. She was the first woman to co-anchor ABC Evening News in 1976 and she went on to co-host 20/20 before creating and co-hosting 'The View' in 1997, a successful daytime talk show that has been on the air for over 20 years. She announced her retirement from the television industry in 2014.

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Walters was known for her work ethic which stemmed from a childhood spent in various cities. Her father, Lou Walters, ran the popular club chain Latin Quarter which Roy Cohn and Joseph P Kennedy Sr frequented. Lou also worked in show business which caused the family to experience financial highs and lows. Jacqueline, Walters' older sister, had an intellectual disability so Barbara spent much of her adult life providing financial support for her family. Everyone else failed to secure the interviews Walters did, including that of Monica Lewinsky in 1999. She interviewed every US President from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama and asked tough questions of international leaders and dictators.

Walters was renowned for her interviews with famous people, including Katharine Hepburn, Bradley Cooper, Cher, Michael Jackson and Oprah Winfrey. She can be seen in some popular video recordings playing pool with Eddie Murphy, fishing with Sandra Bullock and weightlifting alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. The TV icon had had a number of health scares in the past, starting from May 2010 when she underwent an aortic valve replacement. The Sun reports, she was told that her chances of being alive in two years were 50-50— unless she had the open-heart surgery. In Jan 2013 while in Washington D.C. to cover former president Barack Obama‘s second inauguration, the anchor, then 83, lost her footing at a party and fell down the stairs and cut her forehead and a few days she contracted chickenpox. Then came reports of her suffering from dementia. According to Suggest.com, reports alleged that Barbara had been diagnosed with significant cognitive decline but there was no confirmation from either her or her representatives. 

Celebrities and viewers alike took to social media and other forums to pay tribute to the legendary journalist. Oprah and current Disney CEO, Robert Iger, paid heartfelt tributes to the late Walters. Oprah uploaded a throwback photo of herself posing next to Barbara, along with a short message: "Without Barbara Walters there wouldn't have been me-nor any woman you see on evening, morning, and daily news. She was indeed a Trailblazer. 'I did my very first television audition with her in mind the whole time. Grateful that she was such a powerful and gracious role model. Grateful to have known her. Grateful to have followed in her Light."

Iger shared on Twitter: "I have sad news to share today. Barbara Walters passed away this evening at her home in New York." He added a black and white photo her along a statement he had written on his own. "Barbara was a true legend, a pioneer not just for women in journalism but for journalism itself." Actor Hugh Jackman tweeted on behalf of his wife Deborah Lee as well, conveying their condolences saying: "Deb & I are so sad that Barbara Walters passed away. She was a trail blazer, wickedly funny, generous, open hearted and a good friend. She also gave some of the most memorable dinner parties we’ve ever been to. Get ready heaven, Barbara’s coming to spice things up. @Deborra_lee" 

'Wonder Woman' star, Lynda Carter also paid tribute to the journalist calling Barbara "an American institution. As the first female national news anchor, she opened the door to endless possibilities for so many girls who wanted to work in TV, myself included. Her impact cannot be overstated. I’ll miss you, Barbara. Thank you for everything."
Underneath her message, Lynda added a photo of herself during an interview with Barbara on what appeared to be 'The View'.

Deborah Roberts, ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent wrote: "So sad to hear of the passing of Barbara Walters. What an honor to share the set ⁦@ABC
⁩with the inimitable trailblazer when I joined @abc2020. Will never forget the phone call when she asked me to join the groundbreaking program." David Muir from ABC also shared on the social media platform: "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."

One Twitter user was reminded of the time Walters interviewed the Kardashians saying: " Barbara Walters calling the Kardashians untalented to their face, she was always so real."