Meredith Vieira wrote an emotional tribute to Barbara Walters, describing her as a brilliant colleague and a spirited woman with a salacious sense of humor.
While reminiscing about the pioneering TV icon, who died Friday at the age of 93, the 69-year-old broadcast journalist wrote an essay for People about Walters that goes beyond “just the news woman.”
“She knew what it meant to work harder than everyone else in the room just to be seen as an equal. Maybe that’s why she demands so much from her environment,” wrote the mother of three. “I got it and always admired their work ethic.”
Remembered: Meredith Vieira wrote an emotional tribute to Barbara Walters, describing her as a brilliant colleague and woman with a salacious sense of humor; seen in 2003
She continued, “But their intensity could also be intimidating… like flying too close to the sun. If Barbara was mad at you, she let you know in no uncertain terms.”
Vieira went on to say that she was “lucky enough to sit at a dining table with her, martinis in hand.”
“She would please the other guests with really naughty jokes perfectly delivered. Barbara was funny and sexy and in those moments she owned it,” recalled the former co-host of NBC’s Today morning news show.
Paying your respects: While reminiscing about the pioneering TV icon, who died on Friday at the age of 93, the 69-year-old broadcast journalist wrote an essay for People About Walters beyond “just the newswoman” (Vieira pictured in 2019 ).
“She knew what it meant to work harder than everyone else in the room just to be seen as an equal. Maybe that’s why she demands so much from her environment,” wrote the mother of three. “I got it and always admired their work ethic” (seen in 2004)
Vieira ended her essay with a thank you note applauding Walters for “paving the way forward” for other women.
Even so, she said, “No one will ever fill your heels.”
“I know you should rest in peace, but first I have a strange feeling that you are writing a message to the Almighty. And I’m sure you’ll bag the exclusive interview,” said the TV personality.
Powerful: She continued, “But its intensity could also be intimidating…like flying too close to the sun. When Barbara was mad at you, she let you know in no uncertain terms.” (pictured on The View)
Closing: Vieira went on to say that she was “lucky enough to sit with her at a dining table with martinis in hand” (seen in 2006).
Walters died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at her home in New York, according to Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, the parent company of ABC News, her former employer.
Iger called Walters a “true legend, a pioneer not only for women in journalism but for journalism itself”.
Walters made headlines in 1976 when she joined ABC News on an unprecedented $1 million salary as the first female anchor for an evening news program. She became the co-host of 20/20 and launched The View in 1997.
Sad: Walters died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at her home in New York, according to Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, the parent company of ABC News, her former employer
“She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not just for women journalists but for all women,” her publicist, Cindi Berger, said in a statement.
Her drive was legendary as she competed – not only with competing networks but also with colleagues in her own network – for every major “win” in a world where more and more interviewers, including women journalists, were following her.
“Barbara was a true legend, a pioneer not only for women in journalism but for journalism itself. She was a unique reporter who has landed many of the most important interviews of our time, from heads of state to the biggest celebrities and sports icons,” said Iger in a statement on Friday.
“I’ve had the pleasure of calling Barbara a colleague for more than three decades, but more importantly, I’ve been able to call her a dear friend. She will be missed by all of us at The Walt Disney Company and we send our deepest condolences to her daughter Jacqueline.”
Brilliant: During nearly four decades at ABC and before that at NBC, Walter’s exclusive interviews with rulers, kings and entertainers earned her celebrity status on par with hers while she was at the forefront of the trend that was making TV reporters stars (seen in 1987 )
During nearly four decades at ABC and before that at NBC, Walters’ exclusive interviews with rulers, kings and entertainers earned her celebrity status on par with hers and placed her at the forefront of the trend of TV reporters becoming stars.
Late in her career, she gave infotainment a new twist with The View, a live weekday ABC coffee gossip with an all-female panel for which every topic was on the table, and guests ranged from world leaders to teenage idols welcomed. With that fling and unexpected hit, Walters considered The View the “dessert” of her career.
Alongside Bob Iger, big names like Oprah, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dan Rather gave heartfelt tributes to the TV icon.