Monica Lewinsky Honors Barbara Walters After She Dies at 93

The legendary media personality Barbara Walters sadly passed away on Friday at the age of 93. Monica Lewinsky, who was one of Walters’ most famous interviewees ever, has since responded to her death by paying tribute to her.

“You showed the President of the United States your thong underwear. Where did you get the nerve? I mean, who does that?” Barbara Walters’ highest rated interview was with Monica Lewinsky in 1999. It had a 48 share, with 70 million people watching. pic.twitter.com/Zr7aTNC8ao

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) December 31, 2022

Lewinsky Honors Walters

Entertainment Tonight reported that Walters’ March 3, 1999 interview of Lewinsky drew a whopping 74 million viewers. This came after Lewinsky’s infamous affair with the former President Bill Clinton was revealed to the world. 

“i knew Barbara for over half of my life. we met in the spring of 1998, in the midst of the Starr investigation; i was 24,” Lewinsky recalled on Twitter. “I remarked that this was the first time i’d ever been in serious trouble. i’d basically been a good kid – got good grades, didn’t do drugs, never shoplifted etc. without missing a beat Barbara said: Monica, next time shoplift.”

– got good grades,
didn’t do drugs, never shoplifted etc. without missing a beat barbara said: monica, next time shoplift.
(2/4)

— Monica Lewinsky (she/her) (@MonicaLewinsky) December 31, 2022

Lewinsky went on to say that she and Walters stayed in touch in the decades since the interview, and that they last saw each other over lunch a few years ago. 

“Of course, she was charming, witty and some of her questions were still her signature interview style,” Lewinsky continued. “‘So tell me, Monica, how do you feel …etc etc.’ she was the very first person with whom i ever sat for a television interview… and will certainly be my most memorable. barbara will be missed by many — including me. sending love to Jackie, George + her other friends. #RIPBarbara.”

“so tell me, monica, how do you feel …etc etc.” she was the very first person with whom i ever sat for a television interview… and will certainly be my most memorable. barbara will be missed by many — including me. sending love to jackie, george + her other friends.#RIPBarbara

— Monica Lewinsky (she/her) (@MonicaLewinsky) December 31, 2022

Related: ‘The View’ Fans Worry About The Well Being Of Barbara Walters As Whoopi Goldberg Gives Rare Update On Her Health

Relive Lewinsky’s 1999 interview with Walters in the video below.

TMZ reported that Walters died at her home in New York City on Friday while she was surrounded by loved ones. She had been in declining health for years, and had not been seen out in public since 2016. 

“She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists, but for all women,” Walters’ publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement announcing her death, according to Daily Mail. 

RIP Barbara Walters!

We lost such an incredible woman today 💔 pic.twitter.com/J9Y4vp33o3

— Olivia Garvey (@Olivia7News) December 31, 2022

Walters’ History

Born in 1929, Walters made headlines in 1976 when she became the first female network news anchor. She would go on to co-host “20/20,” and she later created the ABC talk show “The View” in 1997. Walters was known for her hard-hitting interview style, and she interviewed every U.S. President from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama.

“I’m different on camera,” Walters said in 2008. “I have guts; I have no doubts; I have no fear when I’m working.”

“I was one of the first who did political interviews and celebrities,” Walters later added in 2014. “And I was criticized for it, and now everybody does it. Now, on the morning shows, the first half-hour is news, and the second half-hour they’re making souffles, or interviewing a movie star. But when I was doing that, that was unusual.”

.@TheView family is so very lucky to have called Barbara Walters our creator, colleague and friend. We’re heartbroken at the news of her passing. pic.twitter.com/sPMk6ZCcoE

— The View (@TheView) December 31, 2022

Related: Here’s Why Barbara Walters Fired Joy Behar From ‘The View’

Walters’ Personal Life

Married and divorced three times, Walters is survived by her daughter Jacqueline Danforth.

“I don’t think I was very good at marriage. It may be that my career was just too important,” Walters said after she retired in 2014. 

Oprah pays tribute to Barbara Walters: “Without Barbara Walters, there would be no me – nor any other woman you see on evening, morning and daily news.” pic.twitter.com/1mcimXje5B

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 31, 2022

Walters was a true legend, and there will never be another one like her. Please join us in saying a prayer for her family and friends during this difficult time. 

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