“A True Legend, a Pioneer”: Disney CEO Bob Iger Shares Statement on Barbara Walters

Last night, it was announced that Disney Legend Barbara Walters had passed away at age 93.

Walters was named as a Disney Legend in 2008 after a legendary career that involved 38 years with ABC News. She was a pioneer in the field of journalism, breaking barriers as the first woman co-host of the Today show, along with the first female network news co-anchor.

In a statement, the Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger spoke on her passing. He shared that, “Barbara was a true legend, a pioneer not just for women in journalism but for journalism itself.”

Iger continued, “She was a one-of-a-kind reporter who landed many of the most important interviews of our time, from heads of state to the biggest celebrities and sports icons. I had the pleasure of calling Barbara a colleague for more than three decades, but more importantly, I was 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.”

In her time as a journalist, Walters interviewed numerous notable world figures, becoming a household name during her time on news programming such as Today, ABC News, and 20/20.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Barbara Walters’ family at this time.