Barbara Walters shaped modern broadcast journalism, but her private life drew equal fascination. Her romantic history featured four marriages to three men, high-profile romances, and public reflections on the challenges of balancing ambition with partnership. She famously admitted late in life that she simply wasn't built for traditional domesticity, putting her groundbreaking career first.
Looking closely at her personal timeline reveals how she navigated love in the public eye. From early marriages to secret political affairs and high-society romances, her story offers a candid look at the personal costs of chasing history.
The Early Years and First Marriage
Long before she became a fixture on morning and evening news broadcasts, Walters married business executive Robert Henry Katz in June 1955. The wedding took place at The Plaza Hotel in New York City when she was just twenty-two years old.
That union was short-lived. Walters later shared in her memoir, Audition, that she felt little connection to Katz and that they shared very few common interests. The marriage was annulled after less than two years. She rarely spoke about this period publicly in later decades, choosing to focus her energy on climbing the ladder in television production.
Lee Guber and Family Life
By December 1963, Walters married her second husband, theatrical producer Lee Guber. Guber owned several music fairs and produced major Broadway shows. This marriage lasted thirteen years, making it her longest union.
During their marriage, the couple decided to expand their family. After experiencing three painful miscarriages, Walters and Guber adopted a daughter in 1968, naming her Jacqueline Dena Guber after Walters' older sister.
Raising a child while managing a soaring career proved difficult. Walters later expressed deep regret that she couldn't spend more time at home, noting that Jacqueline struggled with the intense spotlight of growing up with a famous mother. Walters and Guber divorced in 1976. Guber passed away in 1988.
High-Profile Romances and Secret Affairs
Following her divorce from Guber, Walters entered a period of dating high-profile figures in politics and entertainment.
Senator Edward Brooke
In 1973, Walters began a long, complex affair with Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke, who was married at the time. She described him in her memoir as remarkably charming, funny, and attractive. Although Brooke eventually sought a divorce from his wife, both realized that continuing the relationship could destroy his political career and her journalistic credibility. They mutually agreed to end the romance, a breakup Walters admitted left her grieving initially but brought a sense of relief from hiding.
Roy Cohn
Walters also shared a complex companionship with the notorious lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn during the 1970s. Cohn proposed to her multiple times over the years. While she never considered marrying him, she maintained a soft spot for him because he had once helped her father out of a serious legal bind. Her presence in his life also frequently served to deflect public questions regarding his private life.
Merv Adelson and the Twice-Married Chapter
In 1981, Walters married television executive Merv Adelson, co-founder of Lorimar Productions. They met on a blind date and bonded over their shared independence and busy schedules.
That first marriage ended in divorce in 1984. Yet, the connection persisted. They remarried in 1986 in a quiet ceremony. Walters noted at the time that marrying later in life with established careers meant they stayed together purely out of desire rather than a need for financial security.
The second attempt also ran its course, ending in divorce in 1992. Despite the split, they maintained an amicable friendship until Adelson's later years. Walters never married again.
Reflections on Independence
In various retrospective interviews later in life, including a special with ABC News, Walters offered candid assessments of her romantic history. She acknowledged that she was simply unsuited for traditional marriage.
- Career Priority: She admitted that her historic work in journalism always took precedence over nurturing a domestic partnership.
- Personality: She recognized that she was a demanding partner who valued autonomy above compromise.
- Peaceful Solitude: In her later years, she clarified that she did not feel lonely living by herself; rather, she preferred being alone.
For more details on her professional milestones and historical interviews, check out her profile on Britannica.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times was Barbara Walters married?
She was married four times to three different men: Robert Henry Katz, Lee Guber, and Merv Adelson (whom she married twice).
Did Barbara Walters have children?
Yes, she adopted one daughter, Jacqueline Dena Guber, with her second husband, Lee Guber, in 1968 after suffering multiple miscarriages.
Who was Barbara Walters' longest marriage?
Her marriage to Lee Guber lasted for thirteen years, running from 1963 to 1976.
Did she date anyone famous outside of her marriages?
Yes, her romantic life included high-profile figures such as Senator Edward Brooke and controversial attorney Roy Cohn.
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