Barbara Walters, 83, is set to announce her 2014 retirement on her talk show The View on Monday. She has had exclusive interviews with world leaders, providing rare glimpses into the personalities behind the political fronts.
Interview with the Shah of Iran Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, 1977
Walters asked the Shah of Iran Mohammed Reza Pahlavi about CIA involvement in Iran. She also challenged the Shah on his view of women and their capabilities as leaders.
Interview with Prince Charles, 1985
Walters discussed the prince’s royal education. She told Archive of American Television in 2000 that Princess Diana was one person she always wanted to interview, but never got to.
Interview with Whitney Houston, 1993
Houston and her husband, Bobby Brown, spoke with Walters about their marriage. Walters did not hesitate to bring up media speculation that the marriage would not last.
Interview with Michael Jackson, 1997
Interview with Barbra Streisand, 2000
Streisand opened up to Walters about her how she dislikes performing—she doesn’t like taking care of her voice, or worrying about how she looks, or wearing high heels on stage.
Interview with Then-Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, 2007
The Venezuelan leader spoke with Walters about his outlandish comments targeting George W. Bush, whom he had called the devil among other names.
Interview with Bashar al-Assad, 2011
The Syrian president rarely makes media appearances. Walters was happy to have a candid interview. She said during the introduction: “There were no restrictions, there were no guidelines, we were free to ask any questions.” She asked him how he takes the world’s perception that he is a tyrant.
