Oprah Winfrey, Deborah Roberts, & More Female Anchors & Friends Pay Tribute To Barbara Walters

It is a sad evening in journalism, as the iconic news reporter Barbara Walters has died at the age of 93, ABC News reported on Dec. 30, 2022. In a statement to HollywoodLife, her rep said that she “passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones. She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists, but for all women.” Since the news of her passing broke, many celebrities and famous news reporters took to social media to mourn the icon, including former The View star Meghan McCain, 38.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey has long expressed her admiration for fellow journalist Barbara Walters — and her tribute to the late ABC anchor was no exception. “Without Barbara Walters there wouldn’t have been me—nor any other woman you see on evening, morning, and daily news,” she wrote via Instagram, including a stunning portrait photo of the two of them.

“She was indeed a Trailblazer. I did my very first television audition with her in mind the whole time. Grateful that she was such a powerful and gracious role model. Grateful to have known her. Grateful to have followed in her Light,” Oprah also said.

Robin Roberts

Fellow ABC news anchor and Good Morning America host Robin Roberts shared a heartrending post for her friend and late colleague. “Barbara Walters was a true trailblazer. Forever grateful for her stellar example and for her friendship. Sending condolences to her daughter and family,” Robin tweeted.

Barbara Walters was a true trailblazer. Forever grateful for her stellar example and for her friendship. Sending condolences to her daughter and family.🙏🏾 https://t.co/vKjvFJTU6u

— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) December 31, 2022

Deborah Roberts

Deborah Roberts, ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent, took to social media to pay tribute to Barbara after her death was confirmed by the network. “So sad to hear of the passing of Barbara Walters,” she penned alongside of an old photo of the two of them. “What an honor to share the set ⁦@ABC with the inimitable trailblazer when I joined @abc2020. Will never forget the phone call when she asked me to join the groundbreaking program.”

So sad to hear of the passing of Barbara Walters. What an honor to share the set ⁦@ABC⁩ with the inimitable trailblazer when I joined @abc2020. Will never forget the phone call when she asked me to join the groundbreaking program. pic.twitter.com/0zKgKxmayY

— Deborah Roberts (@DebRobertsABC) December 31, 2022

Maria Shriver

Maria Shriver took to Twitter to post about Barbara after her death. “#BarbaraWalters was a trailblazer. She was a mentor to me as well as a friend. So many women broke into the news business because she did her job well,” she wrote.

#BarbaraWalters was a trailblazer. She was a mentor to me as well as a friend. So many women broke into the news business because she did her job well.

— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) December 31, 2022

Tamron Hall

Fellow television personality and talk show host Tamron Hall posted a short but poignant post for Barbara. “The Legend. The Blueprint. The Greatest. Rest in Peace Barbara Walters,” she wrote on Twitter, alongside a stunning black-and-white portrait of the television personality.

Meghan McCain

Barbara Walters will always be known as a trail blazer. Her hard hitting questions & welcoming demeanor made her a household name and leader in American journalism.
Her creation of The View is something I will always be appreciative of. Rest in peace you will forever be an icon.

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) December 31, 2022

The daughter of former U.S. Senator John McCain, Meghan, was one of the first celebrities to publicly react to Barbara’s death on Dec. 30. “Barbara Walters will always be known as a trail blazer. Her hard hitting questions & welcoming demeanor made her a household name and leader in American journalism,” the 38-year-old wrote. “Her creation of The View is something I will always be appreciative of. Rest in peace you will forever be an icon.”

Dan Rather

Fellow journalism legend Dan Rather shared a thoughtful tribute for Barbara. “The world of journalism has lost a pillar of professionalism, courage, and integrity,” the 91-year-old said.

The world of journalism has lost a pillar of professionalism, courage, and integrity. Barbara Walters was a trailblazer and a true pro. She outworked, out-thought, and out-hustled her competitors. She left the world the better for it. She will be deeply missed. RIP

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 31, 2022

“Barbara Walters was a trailblazer and a true pro. She outworked, out-thought, and out-hustled her competitors. She left the world the better for it. She will be deeply missed. RIP.”

Don Lemon

CNN‘s Don Lemon was quick to jump onto social media after learning news of Barbara’s death. “She was obviously amazing on television but I selfishly loved spending time with her in person,” the anchor wrote.

She was obviously amazing on television but I selfishly loved spending time with her in person. Sitting next to her at a dinner party was the best seat in the house. With love, respect and admiration – rest in peace Barbara Walters. #barbarawalters pic.twitter.com/AD4BQtHrUg

— Don Lemon (@donlemon) December 31, 2022

“Sitting next to her at a dinner party was the best seat in the house. With love, respect and admiration – rest in peace Barbara Walters,” he added as a final salute.

Jake Tapper

ABC News: Barbara Walters, trailblazing TV icon, dies at 93

Sending love and prayers to my friends at ABC and to Barbara’s family and friends https://t.co/33cKvxyFi9

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 31, 2022

CNN news anchor Jake Tapper, 53, was another notable figure to post a tribute for the late 93-year-old. “ABC News: Barbara Walters, trailblazing TV icon, dies at 93 Sending love and prayers to my friends at ABC and to Barbara’s family and friends,” he wrote via Twitter on Dec. 30.

Rosie O’Donnell

Rosie O’Donnell co-hosted The View with Barbara for a controversial eight month stint in 2006 through to 2007, returning for another year in 2014. The former talk show host took to Instagram after her death with a tribute, writing simply “legend” and “#ripbarbarawalters.”

Lynda Carter

Barbara Walters was an American institution. As the first female national news anchor, she opened the door to endless possibilities for so many girls who wanted to work in TV, myself included. Her impact cannot be overstated. I’ll miss you, Barbara. Thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/HokDilM6Rj

— Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) December 31, 2022

Following the news, Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter, 71, took to Twitter to share a video of an interview with Barbara from many years ago. “Barbara Walters was an American institution. As the first female national news anchor, she opened the door to endless possibilities for so many girls who wanted to work in TV, myself included,” her tribute read. “Her impact cannot be overstated. I’ll miss you, Barbara. Thank you for everything.” In the clip, everyone was commenting on Lynda’s outfit from the hit 1970s character, but Barbara and her shared a laugh while Lynda called her “my friend.”

Bernice King

Bernice King, 59, who is the daughter of the late Martin Luther King Jr., also took to Twitter to mourn the loss of the great Barbara. “Farewell and rest well, #BarbaraWalters. Thank you for your courage to blaze trails and have difficult conversations that mattered,” she captioned the snapshot of herself with Barbara.

Joan Lunden

Former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden, 72, shared a throwback snapshot of her and Barbara in her tribute as well. “We have lost a true legend with the passing of Barbara Walters. Such a trail blazer. Such a generous woman – I learned so much from working with her,” she captioned the black-and-white photo. Both Barbara and Joan worked at ABC for many years.

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