Barbara Jill Walters was born in Boston on September 25, 1929, to Dena and Louis Walters. Her father was involved in the entertainment industry as a booking agent and nightclub producer and had discovered well-known comedians Fred Allen and Jack Haley. Walters grew up in the company of celebrities, which influenced her career.

Barbara Walters, a pioneering figure in television news, has passed away at the age of 93. ABC News confirmed her death, though the cause and location of her passing were not immediately disclosed.

Walters made history in 1976 when she became the first female network news anchor and received an annual salary of $1 million. She spent over three decades at ABC and worked at NBC, becoming known for her exclusive interviews with notable figures.

In addition to her work in the news, she hosted the ABC talk show “The View” and occasionally hosted special programs after her retirement in 2014.