Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
[STK]
[IN] PUB MAG
[SU] SCZ NPT
-- WITH PHOTO -- TO ENTERTAINMENT, LIFESTYLES, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
Trailblazing Journalist Barbara Walters Takes A Turn In The Hot Seat
To Discuss Her Impending Retirement, What's Ahead In The Future,
Coping With Criticism And Her Most Flirtatious Interview In The
April/May Issue Of AARP The Magazine
WASHINGTON, April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The first female
morning show cohost, creator of "The View," master interviewer-Barbara
Walters has a list of accomplishments and accolades a mile long. As
the trailblazing journalist prepares for her final months in front of
the camera, she takes a turn as the interviewee in the latest issue of
AARP The Magazine. The 84-year-old speaks candidly about paving the
way for other women and what's next on her agenda - including sleeping
in and perhaps a date with the newly single Clint Eastwood!
The following are excerpts from the April/May issue of the AARP The
Magazine feature story "What I Know Now," featuring Barbara Walters,
available in homes today and online NOW at www.aarp.org/magazine.
On why she's retiring: "This was the right time. The kinds of
interviews I did all these years, nobody wants them anymore. You have
three minutes of a morning show. That's different from before."
"I don't want to do anything forever."
Her answer to "what's next?": "Maybe go to a movie or a museum, maybe
sleep until 9, maybe see a friend. I look forward to not having every
day planned, or having to be at a certain place at a certain time."
On criticism: "When I became the first woman co-anchor of a network
news program [ABC Evening News in 1976], I was vilified. That did hurt
me. I thought my career was over. No one wanted a woman, and they
certainly didn't seem to want me, and I had a cohost [Harry Reasoner]
who really didn't want me. What saved me was that Roone Arledge, who
was president of ABC News, felt I had value."
On her most important interviews: "The interview [in 1977] with Anwar
Sadat and Menachem Begin. Israel and Egypt were fierce enemies, and
the future of the Middle East was resting on their shoulders. I think
the fact that I was able to get them together was remarkable, and
unique."
On Clint Eastwood, her most flirtatious interview: "I heard recently
that he's [Clint Eastwood] getting divorced, and I thought I should
write him a letter: "Dear Clint, I'm still here." I have to tell you
he hasn't yet called me up to say, "Dear Barbara, how are you?"
On the secrets of her success: "I used to say it was because I didn't
have to go to the bathroom often and could outsit anybody, male or
female-but I was being funny. I think the secret of my success is that
I persevered. I didn't give up. I didn't say, "This is a lousy job and
I'm unhappy and I'm going to quit." I went through the tough times,
and they were tough. And I was fortunate that I came out the other
end."
On being a role model: "When someone comes up to me and says, "You
paved the way, and thank you," I am very proud. A lot of women think
today, "What's so tough? She had a partner that didn't like her. I
have partners that don't like me. She was failing. I failed." But the
fact that I persevered and succeeded in what was so much a man's
world-the world of television news-gives me great pride. That's my
legacy."
For the complete interview, check out http://www.aarp.org/magazine/.
About AARP The Magazine With more than 35.2 million readers, AARP The
Magazine is the world's largest circulation magazine and the
definitive lifestyle publication for Americans 50+. AARP The Magazine
delivers comprehensive content through health and fitness features,
financial guidance, consumer interest information and tips, celebrity
interviews, and book and movie reviews. AARP The Magazine was founded
in 1958 and is published bimonthly in print and continually online.
Learn more at www.aarpmagazine.org.
About AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a
membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals
and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights
for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare,
employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable
utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for
individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of
high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our
members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and
services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational
information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest
circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio;
AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing
the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates
for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or
candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that
provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in
need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors.
AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140407/DC97733 Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070209/NYF043LOGO
SOURCE AARP
-0- 04/07/2014
/CONTACT: Michelle Alvarez, AARP, 202.434.2555, malvarez@aarp.org; Chelsea Sanders, Coburn Communication, 212.382.4451, Chelsea.Sanders@coburnww.com
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070209/NYF043LOGO
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140407/DC97733
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.aarp.org
CO: AARP
ST: District of Columbia
IN: PUB MAG
SU: SCZ NPT
PRN
-- DC97733 --
0000 04/07/2014 13:00:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
