Throughout her long and successful career, Barbara Walters conducted numerous on-air interviews with some of the most influential figures of the time. Here are just a few of her more notable interviews:
- Fidel Castro: In 1977, Walters conducted an interview with the Cuban leader Fidel Castro that made headlines around the world. It was the first time an American journalist had interviewed Castro in more than a decade, and the interview was seen as a major coup for Walters.
- Muammar Gaddafi: In 1989, Walters traveled to Libya to interview the controversial leader Muammar Gaddafi. The interview was widely watched and generated a significant amount of controversy, with some praising Walters for her tough questions and others accusing her of giving Gaddafi a platform.
- Monica Lewinsky: In 1999, Walters conducted an interview with Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern who had an affair with President Bill Clinton. The interview, which was watched by millions of people, was seen as a major event in the midst of the impeachment crisis.
- Michael Jackson: In 1997, Walters interviewed the pop superstar Michael Jackson for a special edition of 20/20. The interview, which was widely watched, featured Jackson speaking about his controversial lifestyle and allegations of child abuse.
- Donald Trump: In 2015, Walters interviewed the future president Donald Trump for a special edition of 20/20. The interview, which was widely watched, featured Trump speaking about his political ambitions and his thoughts on a potential presidential run.
These are just a handful of the many meaningful on-air interviews conducted by Barbara Walters over the course of her career. Her ability to ask tough questions and get honest answers from her subjects made her one of the most respected and influential journalists of her time.