Barbara Walters’ net worth, career earnings & rise to fame—see how this media icon built her fortune.
Barbara Walters’ net worth hit an impressive $170 million when she passed away in 2022. That’s a mountain of cash! How did she end up so rich? Well, Walters wasn’t just a journalist; she was a pioneer in TV, breaking barriers for women in the field. (1)
She created and starred in hit shows like 20/20 and The View, earning big bucks from her interviews with world leaders and celebrities. Beyond her shows, she also authored books and made smart investments. Curious about her journey and impact on media? Keep reading to learn more about Barbara Walters’ incredible life!
Key Takeaway
- Barbara Walters’ net worth reached $170 million at the time of her death.
- She broke barriers for female journalists and co-hosted major news programs.
- Walters made big salaries, especially during her time with ABC News and The View.
Early Life and Background
Birth and Family
Some names stick in history, and Barbara Walters is one of them. She was born on September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her full name? Barbara Jill Walters. Her parents, Dena (née Seletsky) and Lou Walters, came from families of Russian Jewish immigrants. They built a life in entertainment, and that world shaped her from the start.
Lou Walters wasn’t just any father. He ran the Latin Quarter nightclub in Boston, a hotspot for performers and high society. In 1942, he expanded, opening another location in New York. He didn’t stop there. Broadway producer, entertainment director at the Tropicana in Las Vegas—he had a knack for show business. He also had a habit of making and losing fortunes. That kind of life teaches a person something.
Childhood Influences
Growing up around entertainers gave Walters an unusual perspective. While other kids idolized stars from afar, she saw them up close. They weren’t magical; they were people. That understanding shaped her later work as a journalist. She never let fame intimidate her.
Money, though, was unpredictable. One year, the Walters family lived in luxury. The next, they scraped by. That instability gave her an edge. She understood both wealth and struggle. She knew how to talk to anyone. She wasn’t an only child, but life didn’t give her much time with her siblings.
- Jacqueline, her older sister, had developmental disabilities. She died in 1985.
- Burton, her brother, passed away from pneumonia.
Loss, success, instability—it was all part of her upbringing.
Education Journey
School wasn’t just about books; it was about movement.
- She started at Lawrence School in Brookline, Massachusetts.
- In 1939, the family moved to Miami Beach. New state, new school.
- Back to New York, she attended Fieldston and Birch Wathen, both private schools.
- Graduated from Miami Beach High School in 1947.
- Earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Sarah Lawrence College in 1951.
That degree set her on a path, but real education? That came from watching, listening, and understanding people. That’s where the real work began.
Early Career
Barbara Walters walked into television in 1953, but not in front of the camera. She started at WNBT-TV in New York, writing and producing for Ask the Camera, a children’s news show. Back then, no one knew she would change the industry.
By the 1960s, she was at NBC’s TODAY Show, where she wrote and produced stories for women. But she didn’t stop there. In 1974, Walters broke through a barrier. She became the first woman to co-host an American news program.
That meant being more than a journalist—it meant proving she belonged. Walters interviewed world leaders, Hollywood icons, and controversial figures, asking the questions no one else would. She didn’t just cover history. She made it.
Revenue Streams
Barbara Walters’ fortune came from decades of work in television, publishing, and production. She didn’t just earn a salary—she built a financial portfolio that made her one of the richest celebrities in media. (2)
Salary as a Broadcast Journalist and Host
- TODAY Show: Walters joined “The TODAY Show” in 1961 as a writer, then became the first female co-host in 1974.
- ABC Evening News: In 1976, she signed a five-year, $5 million deal with ABC News, making her the highest-paid broadcaster. At $1 million a year, she earned twice as much as Walter Cronkite.
- 20/20: Walters co-hosted “20/20” from 1984 to 2004, securing a steady salary for two decades.
- The View: She created “The View” in 1997. Even after leaving in 2014, she retained an ownership stake, adding to her career earnings.
Barbara Walters didn’t just co-host The View. She built it. The daytime talk show launched in 1997, bringing together multiple generations of women to discuss everything from politics to pop culture.
Walters stayed on The View until 2014, but even after stepping away, her fortune kept growing. She sold her 50% stake in the show for an eight-figure sum. That’s wealth most television personalities never see. Owning part of The View meant more than financial success. It meant leaving a permanent mark on daytime TV. A legacy worth more than any paycheck.
Other revenue streams? She sold her stake in The View for an eight-figure sum. Salary deals at ABC News, 20/20, and ABC Evening News added up. Even as a television host, she earned executive producer credits, meaning bigger paychecks. Walters didn’t just earn a salary—she built wealth. Smart moves, smart money.
Production Ventures
A producer doesn’t just work behind the scenes; they control the show. Walters produced multiple programs, shaping what aired, deciding who got screen time, and making sure everything ran smoothly. That’s power. And power brings financial success.
- Executive Producer: Walters wasn’t just a talk show host—she controlled “The View” as an executive producer. That meant income from syndication and advertising revenue.
- Annual Specials: Her “10 Most Fascinating People” specials aired for years, each drawing millions of viewers (and ad dollars).
Author and Public Appearances
Money didn’t just come from Barbara Walters’ television career. She knew how to make earnings stretch. Book royalties stacked up. Bestsellers. People bought them, and Walters got paid.
- Books: She earned book royalties from “How to Talk to Practically Anybody About Anything” (1970) and “Audition: A Memoir” (2008).
- Primetime Specials: Walters’ ABC contract included hosting four annual prime-time specials, further increasing her net worth.
Barbara Walters’ income wasn’t just from one job. She mastered television, publishing, and production—each move building wealth that reached an estimated $170 million before her death.
Salary Highlights
Barbara Walters made more money than most broadcasters ever dreamed of. Her TODAY Show salary? $700,000 a year. In 1976, ABC handed her a $1 million contract to co-anchor ABC Evening News. No woman had ever been paid that much in television.
Her earnings kept growing. By 2000, Walters was making $12 million a year from ABC News and 20/20. That kind of income made her one of the highest-paid broadcasters of all time. She wasn’t just a journalist—she was a multi-millionaire with a financial portfolio built on decades of groundbreaking interviews. Walters didn’t just report on wealth. She accumulated it.
Real Estate
Walters wasn’t just a broadcast journalist; she was a savvy investor. She owned a prime NYC apartment—944 Fifth Avenue. For 30 years, she lived in an 11-room co-op with a Central Park view. Not just any apartment.
The place had everything: a formal dining room, a private library, and enough space to entertain celebrities, politicians, and media legends. Real estate like that? It doesn’t just hold value—it appreciates.
Her estate listed the property for $19.75 million after her passing. Later, the price dropped to $17 million. Still, one of the most expensive co-ops in Manhattan. Owning property in New York’s wealthiest zip codes? That’s an investment strategy.
She also had additional assets—real estate holdings, financial portfolio, and cash reserves. Walters wasn’t just a journalist; she understood long-term wealth accumulation.
Legacy and Financial Status
Barbara Walters changed television history. The first female co-host of ABC Evening News. A groundbreaking interviewer. She interviewed world leaders, Hollywood stars, and controversial figures. Walters didn’t just report the news—she made it.
Financially, she was in a league of her own. At the time of her death, her estate value sat around $170 million. That’s generational wealth. Broadcasting career earnings, book royalties, and real estate investments built her fortune.
She broke the glass ceiling for female journalists. Highest-paid broadcaster at her peak. Sold The View for millions. Walters didn’t just work—she shaped the media industry.
Young journalists looking at her story? Learn from her business acumen. Build assets. Secure career earnings. Understand financial success isn’t just about salary—it’s about making money work for you.
Achievements & Recognitions
Barbara Walters changed television forever. She wasn’t just another journalist; she shattered the glass ceiling in broadcasting. Her career wasn’t smooth sailing, but she never backed down. The industry paid attention, and so did the world.
Key Achievements
- First Woman Co-Host:
- In 1974, Barbara Walters became the first woman to co-host the TODAY Show. Before that, women were “assistants,” not equals.
- First Female Network News Co-Anchor:
- ABC News hired her in 1976 as the first female co-anchor of a network evening news program. Her salary? $1 million a year—the highest ever for a broadcaster at the time.
- Interviews with World Leaders:
- Walters interviewed every U.S. president from Nixon to Obama. She was the first American journalist to interview Vladimir Putin. In 1977, she secured a historic joint interview with Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin, changing how political interviews were done.
- Successful Specials:
- Her Barbara Walters Specials featured icons like Audrey Hepburn, Bing Crosby, and Sir Laurence Olivier. In 1993, she launched The 10 Most Fascinating People, one of TV’s most-watched annual specials.
- Creator and Co-host of The View:
- Walters created The View in 1997, a talk show with a multi-generational female panel. The show won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2003. She remained involved until 2014.
Awards and Recognitions
- Emmy Awards:
- She won 12 Emmys, including Daytime and Prime Time. In 1982 and 1983, she was named Outstanding Interviewer.
- Hall of Fame Inductions:
- The Television Hall of Fame honored her in 1989. A year later, she entered the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame:
- In 2007, Walters received a star on Hollywood Boulevard.
- Disney Legend Award:
- Walters became a Disney Legend in 2008. ABC, her longtime network, is owned by Disney.
- Lifetime Achievement Awards:
- The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. Another came from the News & Documentary Emmy Awards in 2009.
- Other Awards:
- She won a Women in Film Lucy Award, a GLAAD Excellence in Media Award, and a TCA Career Achievement Award in 2013.
Barbara Walters redefined what a television personality could be. She earned her fortune not just through salary, but through persistence. Future female journalists—especially those earning eight-figure sums today—stand on the foundation she built. The best way to honor her? Watch her interviews. Study her technique. Learn from the legend.
FAQ
What was Barbara Walters’ net worth at the time of her death?
Barbara Walters’ net worth at death was estimated to be in the eight-figure sum range. Her career earnings spanned decades, from her early days on the TODAY Show to her time as an executive producer and co-host of “The View.” She also made money from book royalties, including “Audition: A Memoir” and “How to Talk to Practically Anybody About Anything.” Her financial portfolio included real estate, including her NYC apartment with a Central Park view.
How did Barbara Walters build her fortune?
Barbara Walters’ source of wealth came from multiple streams. Her broadcasting career included roles as a talk show host, television host, and moderator on ABC News and “20/20.” She was once the highest-paid broadcaster, with a peak salary in the millions. Over time, her wealth accumulation grew through book royalties, producer credits, and the sale of her stake in The View for an eight-figure sum.
What was Barbara Walters’ salary during her television career?
Barbara Walters’ television salary made her a multi-millionaire. In 1976, she became the highest-paid broadcaster, earning $1 million annually at ABC Evening News—a historic amount at the time. Her annual income increased with her roles as a co-host on “20/20” and “The View.” Her historical earnings also came from syndication deals, reruns, and book royalties from her best-selling memoirs.
Did Barbara Walters invest in real estate?
Yes, Barbara Walters invested in real estate, particularly in New York. She owned a 944 Fifth Avenue apartment with a Central Park view, which was part of her estate value. Her property value reflected the prestige of her financial status, and her assets included luxury homes in desirable locations.
How did Barbara Walters impact the media industry?
Barbara Walters was a media icon and a trailblazer for female journalists. She broke the glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to co-anchor ABC Evening News with a groundbreaking salary. Her groundbreaking interviews with world leaders shaped television history, and she remains an influential figure in the media industry. Her legacy lives on through “The View” and the many The View hosts she mentored throughout her entertainment industry career.
Conclusion
Barbara Walters’ net worth of $170 million was a true sign of her amazing career and achievements. She left a mark on the media industry and proved her talent with financial success. From her beginnings in television to becoming a familiar name, she opened doors for future journalists. When you think about your own goals, remember that hard work and dedication can deliver great results, just like they did for Barbara Walters. Keep dreaming big!
References
- https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/barbara-walters-net-worth/
- https://stylecaster.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/1349094/barbara-walters-net-worth/
