We all knew Barbara Walters for her hard-hitting journalism and broadcasts, going as far back as the 1960s. However, not many people know about the struggles she went through as a child — nor do they have a clue about the perception she has of her past.
In the video below, Barbara explains, "Very often, when I do interviews, I start by asking about the childhood. First of all, because usually it relaxes people — but also, when you talk to someone about childhood, you can then say, 'How does that affect you today?'"
She adds, "In my case, I guess it was not the most normal childhood — and not necessarily the happiest."
Barbara's childhood was filled with ups and downs, and her parents dealt with a lot of grief regarding their children.
Barbara's brother died from pneumonia at the age of 3, and her older sister was born disabled.
In the video below, from 2014, she says:
"I had a sister who was three and a half years older, who was called — in those days — 'retarded.' Today, probably she would be called 'developmentally challenged' or maybe 'autistic.' But my sister was the most significant part of my life."
She faced bullying and isolation, but Barbara became the woman she is today because of those tough experiences. She finishes off the video by thanking her sister for those lessons, stating, "It gave me a compassion and an understanding of people that I might never have had."
Thumbnail Photo: OWN
Check out Barbara's entire story in the video, and please SHARE if you think everyone's past helps shape them into their current self!
