ABC News' Barbara Walters hospitalized after fall
NEW YORK (AP) - Veteran ABC newswoman Barbara Walters has fallen at an inauguration party at an ambassador's home in Washington and has been hospitalized.
Walters, 83, fell Saturday night on a step at the residence of Britain's ambassador to the United States, Peter Westmacott, ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said. The fall left Walters with a cut on her forehead, he said.
Walters, out of an abundance of caution, went to a hospital for treatment of the cut and for a full examination, Schneider said on Sunday. She was alert and was "telling everyone what to do, which we all take as a very positive sign," he said.
It was unclear when Walters might be released from the hospital, which ABC didn't identify.
Walters was TV news' first female superstar, making headlines in 1976 as a network anchor with an unprecedented $1 million annual salary. During more than three decades at ABC, and before that at NBC, her exclusive interviews with rulers, royalty and entertainers have brought her celebrity status. In 1997, she created "The View," a live weekday talk show that became an unexpected hit.
Walters had heart surgery in May 2010 but returned to active duty on "The View" that September, declaring, "I'm fine!"
Even in her ninth decade, Walters continues to keep a busy schedule, including appearances on "The View," prime-time interviews and her annual special, "10 Most Fascinating People," on which, in December, she asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie if he considered himself fit enough to be president someday. (Christie, although acknowledging he is "more than a little" overweight, replied he would be up to the job.)
Last June, Walters apologized for trying to help a former aide to Syrian President Bashar Assad land a job or get into college in the United States. She acknowledged the conflict in trying to help Sheherazad Jaafari, daughter of the Syrian ambassador to the United States and a one-time press aide to Assad. Jaafari helped Walters land an interview with the Syrian president that aired in December 2011.
Walters said she realized the help she offered Jaafari was a conflict and said, "I regret that."
Walters, 83, fell Saturday night on a step at the residence of Britain's ambassador to the United States, Peter Westmacott, ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said. The fall left Walters with a cut on her forehead, he said.
Walters, out of an abundance of caution, went to a hospital for treatment of the cut and for a full examination, Schneider said on Sunday. She was alert and was "telling everyone what to do, which we all take as a very positive sign," he said.
It was unclear when Walters might be released from the hospital, which ABC didn't identify.
Walters was TV news' first female superstar, making headlines in 1976 as a network anchor with an unprecedented $1 million annual salary. During more than three decades at ABC, and before that at NBC, her exclusive interviews with rulers, royalty and entertainers have brought her celebrity status. In 1997, she created "The View," a live weekday talk show that became an unexpected hit.
Walters had heart surgery in May 2010 but returned to active duty on "The View" that September, declaring, "I'm fine!"
Even in her ninth decade, Walters continues to keep a busy schedule, including appearances on "The View," prime-time interviews and her annual special, "10 Most Fascinating People," on which, in December, she asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie if he considered himself fit enough to be president someday. (Christie, although acknowledging he is "more than a little" overweight, replied he would be up to the job.)
Last June, Walters apologized for trying to help a former aide to Syrian President Bashar Assad land a job or get into college in the United States. She acknowledged the conflict in trying to help Sheherazad Jaafari, daughter of the Syrian ambassador to the United States and a one-time press aide to Assad. Jaafari helped Walters land an interview with the Syrian president that aired in December 2011.
Walters said she realized the help she offered Jaafari was a conflict and said, "I regret that."
Get better soon BABWA WAWA!!
I absolutely love and respect that woman. She has been a hell of a role model for women (and men) and has the strength, intelligence, and guts to break down walls and barriers for others to become successful.
I respect this lady. If it wasn't for her there would not be any women on the national news. She was the first and at a time when women were supposed to be houswives. She is 83 and still working. That is impressive in itself. She adopted and raised a daughter as a single mom when that was not done. I may not agree with her views on things but I do respect all she has done for women in the last 50 years.
 @taxpro No disrespect meant, but the statement about had it not been for her then there would not be any women on the national news is a bit much. How do we know that the second woman in the national news wouldn't have been the first if Barbara Walters had never been? Yes, she was a hard working single mom and I commend her for that and she may have been a trailblazer, however someone else would have been the first.
 @Robinsnest  @taxpro Lest we forget, she brought us that Hasselbeck shrieking bird.
I find it harder and harder to watch her. A woman in her 80's trying to dress and act like she is still in her 40's and trying so hard to stay popular. She should have retired years ago.
Did she know something about Benghazi too?
Time to cut back on the party agenda. Steps are getting a little steeper.
I seldom agree with her, but I wish her well. Tough lady for sure.
Barbara woo-woo got a boo-boo.
Poor Baba!
It scould have been worseâ¦â¦â¦..