When it comes to media icons, Barbara Walters is one of the most iconic and recognizable figures in America. From hosting ‘The View’ for more than two decades to having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Barbara has achieved quite a bit throughout her career. But how much is Barbara Walters worth? Let’s take a look at Barbara Walter’s net worth and find out all there is to know about this legendary figure.
Introduction to Barbara Walters’ Career and Life
Barbara Jill Walters was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1929. She attended Sarah Lawrence College before she dropped out in order to pursue a career in television journalism. Starting off as an NBC producer in 1961, Barbara gradually rose through the ranks and became a household name over the years. Throughout her extensive career, she worked with different networks such as ABC, CBS, and PBS. Her career has spanned almost five decades, with appearances on various talk shows, magazine articles, radio broadcasts, movies, and books.
Early Years of Barbara Walters’ Career
In 1966, Barbara made history by becoming the first woman co-hosting The Today Show which aired on NBC. As part of the show, Barbara reported from all around the world, even interviewing heads of state including Richard Nixon and Yasser Arafat. She also co-anchored the ABC Evening News from 1976 to 1978 and was then given her own daytime TV series ‘The View’, where she interviewed many celebrities over the years.
Breakthrough Moment for Barbara Walters
One of Barbara’s major breakthrough moments was when she started working as the anchorwoman on 20/20 in 1984. Through this job, she conducted countless interviews with some of the most famous people in entertainment and politics such as Oprah Winfrey and Margaret Thatcher. Her journalistic skills were widely appreciated by viewers, earning her numerous awards and recognition during her time with 20/20.
Rise To Fame As A Television Personality
Throughout her career, Barbara won multiple awards such as Emmy Awards and Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition to that, she has been inducted into several Halls of Fame including The Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2007 and The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 2011. Moreover, Barbara received an honorary degree from Duke University in 2008 for her contribution to media.
Career Highlights from Barbara Walters’ Portfolio
Apart from her work in news reporting, Barbara had hosted several special events such as ‘The 10 Most Fascinating People’ interview specials every year since 1993. She wrote three memoirs titled ‘Audition: A Memoir’ (2008), ‘How To Talk With Practically Anybody About Practically Anything’ (1974), and ‘Barbara Walters Specials’ (2005). Additionally, she released a cookbook called ‘Barbara Walter’s Great Holiday Dishes’ in 2003.
Estimated Net Worth Of Barbara Walters
According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Barbara Walters has an estimated net worth of $180 million. This vast fortune can be attributed to her successful career in broadcasting which earned her millions of dollars throughout her lifetime.
Major Sources Of Income For Barbara Walters
Most of Barbara’s income came from hosting various television shows such as The View and 20/20 as well as from writing books and appearing in films and TV series. In fact, she was paid a staggering salary of $10 million per season for The View! She also earns royalties for the books she has written over the years.
Comparing Barbara Walters’ Wealth With Other Celebrities
It should come as no surprise that Barbara Walters’ wealth surpasses other prominent celebrities like Steven Spielberg ($3 billion) or Tom Hanks ($350 million). However, her fortunes are nowhere near those of media moguls such as Rupert Murdoch ($17 billion) or Oprah Winfrey ($2.6 billion).
Philanthropic Work By Barbara Walters
Besides amassing wealth, Barbara has also contributed generously to charity organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy Association (UCPA), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), UNICEF USA, and Red Cross among others. Furthermore, she established her very own philanthropic organization called ‘The Young Women’s Leadership Program’ which helps young women to pursue their education regardless of financial constraints.
Conclusion
From humble beginnings to being hailed as one of the best journalists ever known, Barbara Walters’ life story is truly inspirational. Not only does she have an impressive portfolio but her immense wealth speaks volumes about her achievements too! No wonder she is so highly respected and celebrated by both fans and peers alike!