Barbara Walters Expresses Regret Over Strained Relationship With Daughter
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/BarbaraWalters-daughter-jackie-1-2b7b544a8897430d9d3856b4edfa32f2.jpg)
Barbara Walters, the TV legend known for her groundbreaking interviews, has opened up about her feelings of regret regarding her strained relationship with her daughter, Jackie. In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Walters’ friends shared insights into this aspect of her life, shedding light on a lesser-known side of the iconic journalist.
Despite her immense success in the media industry, Walters often found herself grappling with the challenges of motherhood. As Walters neared the end of her illustrious career, she would wistfully admire her friends’ relationships with their children, expressing a deep sense of regret over her own family dynamics. According to her longtime friend, Cynthia McFadden, Walters felt unable to mend what was broken in her relationship with her daughter.
The upcoming Hulu documentary, “Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything,” delves into Walters’ journey to the top of her profession, highlighting her achievements as the first female nightly news anchor and the queen of celebrity interviews. Director Jackie Jesko explores the complexities of Walters’ personal life, including the struggles she faced as a mother amidst her demanding career.
Walters adopted Jackie with her second husband, Lee Guber, in 1968 after experiencing three miscarriages. Initially, motherhood brought Walters a sense of fulfilment, but she soon found it challenging to balance her thriving career with her responsibilities as a parent. Constantly on the move for her various assignments, Walters struggled to connect with her daughter, who faced her own difficulties growing up.
As Jackie entered her teenage years, tensions between mother and daughter escalated. Jackie’s turbulent journey, marked by substance abuse and rebellious behaviour, further strained the already fragile relationship. Despite efforts to bridge the gap, Walters and Jackie struggled to find common ground, with their differing priorities and personalities creating barriers to understanding each other.
McFadden, who shares her own experiences as an adoptee, emphasizes the complexity of the mother-daughter dynamic in Walters’ life. Reflecting on her interactions with Jackie during an adoption segment, McFadden recalls Jackie’s candid admission that being Barbara Walters’s daughter was the tougher challenge of the two.
Today, Jackie maintains a low profile, steering clear of the spotlight that once shone on her tumultuous relationship with her famous mother. The documentary provides a poignant exploration of Walters’ journey, showcasing her triumphs in the media industry alongside the personal regrets that lingered throughout her life.
The story of Barbara Walters and her daughter serves as a reminder of the complexities of family relationships, even amid public success and acclaim. As audiences delve into Walters’ untold story, they gain insight into the struggles and triumphs of a woman who shaped the landscape of journalism while grappling with the universal challenges of motherhood.