Barbara Walters – 1931–

Walters began writing for NBC’s morning talk show, Today, in 1961 and was promoted in 1964 to the “Today Girl,” a decorative role she amplified into one of substance. From 1974 to 1978, she co-hosted Today, then signed a $1 million contract with ABC to co-anchor the news. This made her the highest-paid journalist of the time. From 1979 to 2004 she co-hosted the TV “magazine” 20/20 and became famous for her penetrating interviews with most of the world’s notables, ranging from film stars to world leaders.
She enjoyed great success in obtaining interviews even with the most elusive figures.