Trailblazing US news anchor Barbara Walters dies

Her death was announced by her network ABC on air on Friday night.

Ms Walters made headlines in 1976 as the first female network news anchor, with an unprecedented-at-the-time $1m annual salary.

During more than three decades at ABC, and before that at NBC, she became known for securing exclusive interviews with the famous and powerful.

Ms Walters was the first female co-host of Today, the hugely successful US daily news and magazine show, the first evening news anchorwoman in broadcast history and a co-creator and co-host of topical chat show The View.

Television personalities Oprah Winfrey (C) and Barbara Walters (L) pose for photographers with singer Diana Ross (R) at the launch party for "O, The Oprah Magazine" in New York, April 17. The magazine, which debuts nationwide on April 19, addresses all aspects of a woman's life, ranging from her inner well-being to relationships, fashion, home design books and food. BR

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With Oprah Winfrey and Diana Ross in 2000

In a broadcast career spanning five decades, Ms Walters interviewed an array of world leaders, including Cuba's Fidel

Castro, Britain's Margaret Thatcher, Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi, Saddam Hussein of Iraq and every US president and first lady since Richard and Pat Nixon.

Ms Walters interviewed Monica Lewinsky in 1999 about her relationship with US President Bill Clinton, with the discussion becoming the most-watched episode of primetime show 20/20.

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Ms Lewinsky said the interview "will certainly be my most memorable", adding that Ms Walters "will be missed by many".

Robert Iger, CEO of Disney, owner of ABC, describing Mr Walters as "sad news".

Monica Lewinsky was interviewed by Ms Walters about her relationship with US President Bill Clinton. It became the most-watched episode of primetime show 20/20

He said Ms Walters was a "true legend," a "one-of-a-kind reporter" and "a pioneer not just for women in journalism but for journalism itself".

Ms Walters earned 12 Emmy awards, 11 of those while at ABC News.

She is survived by her only daughter, Jacqueline Danforth.

-sky news