Oprah Winfrey & More Mourn Barbara Walters Passing

Barbara Walters’ peers are flooding social media with fond memories of the beloved journalist. Everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Star Jones is speaking light about the passing of Walters — who passed away Friday at age 93. 

Oprah has always been vocal about her respect for Walters. The Queen of media took to Instagram to share her condolences regarding the late broadcaster’s death. “Without Barbara Walters there wouldn’t have been me,” Winfrey began. “Nor any other 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 to have known her.”

NEW YORK – MAY 05: Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters attends the Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World Gala at Rose Hall – Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 5, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Time Inc.)
Read More: Barbara Walters Passes Away At Age 93

Walters’ former “The View” cohost Star Jones also penned a heartfelt note following the news of her passing. “I owe Barbara Walters more than I could ever repay. Rest well sister…mother…friend…colleague…mentor.”

Rosie Perez, who also sat alongside Barbara on View, tweeted her reaction to the recasting loss. “An amazing woman,” Perez wrote. “Amazing loss. Shattering the glass ceiling is a huge understatement. She decimated it. Paved the way for so many. I  feel very proud/humble to have known her & to have worked with her.” 

Walters broke down several barriers through her nearly 60 year career. She  joined ABC News in 1976, becoming the first female anchor on an evening news program. Three years later, she became a co-host of “20/20,” and in 1997, she launched The View.

After 17 years as host of the daytime talk show, Barbara made her final appearance in 2014.  “I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain,” she said at the time. “I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women — and OK, some men too — who will be taking my place.”

Our thoughts are with Barbara Walters family and friends at this times. 

Barbara Walters Passes Away At Age 93

Famed broadcast journalist and television host Barbara Walters has passed away at 93, leaving behind a legacy that few can achieve.

Cindi Berger, the Boston native’s representative, confirmed the news to People on Friday night (Dec. 30), revealing, “Barbara Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones.”

The rep continued, “She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists, but for all women.”

When Walters joined “ABC News” in 1976, she made history by becoming the first female anchor of a major evening news show. Continuing to make her presence known in the industry, she joined “20/20” several years later and famously hosted the program alongside Hugh Downs.

READ MORE: ABC Accidentally Shows Picture Of Quavo In Takeoff Tribute

She went on to create a variety of interview-style programs. Sitting down with everyone from Mariah Carey and Patrick Swayze to Michael Jackson and Oprah Winfrey, many considered Walters to be a celebrity interview pioneer.

1993: American broadcast journalist Barbara Walters poses at a desk with a notepad and pen. (Photo by Francesco Da Vinci/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Walters created “The View” in 1997 and also served as a co-host on the popular daytime talk show. Proving to be a success, the program has currently spanned 26 seasons and earned dozens of Emmy awards.

In recent years, reports began circulating online that Walters was suffering from symptoms related to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Sources disclosed to TMZ in 2017 that the former news anchor was barely leaving her NYC apartment and also growing more “forgetful.”

Walters now leaves behind her daughter, 54-year-old Jacqueline Dena Guber. Our hearts go out to the late anchor’s loved ones during this time.

[Via] [Via]