Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People- Barbara Walters presents a yearly selection of the 10 most popular celebrities of that time, namely actors, directors, musicians, and activists. Beginning in 1993, it was broadcasted on the second Thursday of December and hosted by the now-legendary Barbara Walters. It featured some of the most influential and well-known people of the time, so it was always a must-watch event!
Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People
Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey started her career as a radio host in Baltimore before moving on to become a TV talk show host in Chicago. She quickly gained popularity, and within a few years, she had her own show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. The show ran for a quarter of a century, making it the longest-running daytime talk show on American television and the highest-rated of its kind.
Winfrey is not only well-known for her groundbreaking work in TV and media but also for her philanthropy. She is the founder of the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, which focuses on education, health, and the overall well-being of individuals worldwide.
In addition to her work, Winfrey has received numerous awards for her excellence in television and media, such as the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Golden Globe’s Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
After celebrating thirty years of empowering words on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah was selected by Barbara Walters as one of the ten most fascinating people of 1993.
Hillary Clinton
One of Barbara Walters’s Ten Most Fascinating People of the Year was Hillary Clinton, who served as the U.S. Secretary of State as well as the First Lady of the United States. At the time of the interview, she was 67 years old and had been married to former President Bill Clinton for over 40 years.
Clinton first came into the public eye in 1992 when she campaigned alongside her husband in his successful bid for the presidency. From 1993 to 2001, Clinton served as the First Lady of the United States, while also advocating for health care reform. In 2000, she was elected to serve as a Senator from New York, and in 2007, she launched her first presidential campaign.
Following Barack Obama’s election to the office of President of the United States, Clinton was selected as Secretary of State by Obama. During her tenure, she worked diligently to foster relationships between foreign nations and advocated for issues such as human rights. In 2016, she once again became a candidate for the presidency but lost to Donald Trump in the general election.
Though Clinton may have missed out on being elected president, she will always be remembered for her tireless efforts to make the world a better place. For these reasons and more, Barbara Walters chose to include Clinton on her list of 10 Most Fascinating People.
Nelson Mandela
During his presidency, Mandela made significant strides to end apartheid and promote racial harmony in South Africa. He also worked to reduce poverty and economic inequality while strengthening democracy and creating a more just society. His commitment to justice and human rights earned him numerous awards and honors, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.
Barbara Walters praised Mandela for his leadership and courage in her introduction of him on the show. “He has the courage to stand up for what is right no matter what the cost or consequence,” she said. She also noted his age, saying that “at 79 years old, Nelson Mandela remains a strong symbol of justice and hope.”
Tom Cruise
Barbara Walters chose Cruise due to his long-lasting influence in Hollywood, even after almost forty years of experience in the industry. The actress Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes are all wives of Cruise. Since he was 23, he has been a staunch supporter of Scientology.
At the age of 58, Cruise still shows no signs of slowing down, and fans are excited to see what projects he will be involved in next.
Sir Elton Hercules John
An English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, Sir Elton Hercules John CBE is one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Sir Elton is known for his powerful stage presence and flamboyant costumes. He has written some of the most successful pop songs of all time and has collaborated with Bernie Taupin for over 50 years.
Barbara Walters included Sir Elton John in her 10 Most Fascinating People list in 1998. At the time, he was 53 years old, just four years younger than Barbara Walters’ spouse, Merv Adelson. He had achieved much success in the music industry and was continuing to produce new material. Elton John performed at the special on the night it aired, singing “Candle in the Wind” as a tribute to Princess Diana.
Prince William and Kate Middleton
William and Catherine met in the town of St. Andrews, and their engagement was announced in November 2010. They married a year later at Westminster Abbey in London, with millions watching the ceremony around the world. Following the marriage, Prince William took on his role as Duke of Cambridge and Princess Catherine became Duchess of Cambridge.
Though their life may be one of luxury and grandeur, the couple’s primary focus is raising their children with values of integrity and respect – something Barbara Walters knew at age 83 when she included them on her list. As the ages of William and Catherine move closer to that of Walters’, they remain two of the most admired couples in the world.
Kanye West
West rose to fame in the early 2000s when he released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004. The album was a massive success and gained him critical acclaim for its innovative production, lyrical themes, and expansive vision. In the years since, West has gone on to create many groundbreaking albums and hit singles, as well as establish himself as a fashion icon and tech innovator.
West’s influence continues to this day and at age 43, he is the same age as Barbara Walters was when she first presented the 10 Most Fascinating People list. West joins an impressive list of people chosen by the late television host and her spouse, Merv Adelson. His presence on the list shows the wide range of public figures who have been deemed as fascinating by Barbara Walters.
Jennifer Lawrence
One of Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People in 2013, Jennifer Lawrence is a multi-award-winning actress known for her role as Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games franchise. Born in Indian Hills, Kentucky on August 15th, 1990, Lawrence began her career at a young age when she was discovered at the age of 14. She made her big screen debut in 2008 with The Bill Engvall Show and since then has starred in such popular films as Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and X-Men: First Class.
Lawrence won her first Academy Award at the age of 27 for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook, making her one of the youngest recipients of the Best Actress in a Leading Role. Barbara not only gave Lawrence an Oscar but also four Golden Globes and five Saturn Awards.
At the time that Barbara Walters presented her annual “Most Fascinating People” list in 2013, Barbara herself was 83 years old and had been married to her husband Lee Guber for 44 years. As Barbara presented each fascinating person that year, she highlighted their achievements and described them as “people who captured the world’s attention” – none more than Jennifer Lawrence.
Stephen Colbert
He was born in Washington, D.C., attended Northwestern University, and graduated from their theatre program. He got his first big break as a correspondent on The Daily Show in 1997, and after a few years moved on to star in his own show, The Colbert Report. On the show, Stephen portrayed an over-the-top conservative pundit, a character that gained him much fame.
In 2015, at the age of 53, Stephen Colbert took over hosting duties from David Letterman on The Late Show. His passion for comedy has only grown since then, and Colbert continues to entertain audiences with his wit and charm. As Barbara Walters nears her 89th birthday, it’s clear that Colbert’s place in her list of fascinating people is here to stay.
Donald Trump
In Queens, New York, he attended Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and later succeeded his father in real estate. He was preceded in marriage by Ivana Zelnkova, Marla Maples, and his current wife Melania Trump.
Trump has had a long career in entertainment and business, most recently as a reality television star on The Apprentice from 2004-2015. Trump also ran for president in 2016, eventually winning the election over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Since then, Trump has been a polarizing figure in American politics, often sparking heated debates about his policies and public statements.
Despite his controversy, Trump’s inclusion on Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People list is a testament to his influence on modern culture and politics. At age 70, Trump is one of the oldest people to appear on the list; Barbara Walters herself was 84 when she hosted her final edition of the show.
Conclusion of Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People
Since its first airing in 1993, Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People list has been an annual tradition for many viewers. From Oprah Winfrey to Donald Trump, it’s no doubt that the selection of people has grown and changed over the years. As one of the most recognizable faces in media and journalism, Barbara Walters has certainly made her mark on the industry. At the age of 90, her legacy will live on through her spouse, John “Jody” Lawrence, and their children. We thank Barbara Walters for many years of entertaining television.
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