Barbara Walters' Marriages: A Quick Scoop Barbara Walters, the trailblazing TV journalist who passed away in 2022, had a fascinating personal life marked by four marriages to three men. These relationships unfolded alongside her rise from The Today Show writer to co-host of 20/20 and The View , often blending her high-profile career with private ups and downs.

Her First Marriage: Robert Henry Katz

Walters wed Robert Henry Katz , a former Navy lieutenant and business executive, on June 20, 1955, at New York City's Plaza Hotel. She was just 26, early in her career, and later admitted in her memoir Audition they shared "nothing in common." The union ended quickly—they divorced in 1957 and annulled it in 1958.

Second Marriage: Lee Guber and Daughter Jackie

In 1963, she married Lee Guber , a theatrical producer and theater owner, as her NBC Today Show role took off. They welcomed daughter Jacqueline (Jackie) via adoption in 1968, but faced heartache adopting a second child who tragically died at 10 weeks old. The couple divorced in 1976 amid growing career demands.

Twice-Married to Merv Adelson

Walters' most enduring romantic tie was with Merv Adelson , CEO of Lorimar Television and real estate developer. They met on a blind date, married in 1981 during her 20/20 boom, and divorced in 1984. Remarkably, they remarried in 1986 but split again in 1992, staying friends post-divorce.

Husband| Marriage Dates| Key Notes
---|---|---
Robert Henry Katz| 1955–1958 (annulled)| Business exec; short-lived, no kids 15
Lee Guber| 1963–1976| Theater producer; adopted daughter Jackie 19
Merv Adelson| 1981–1984 & 1986–1992| TV exec; married twice, remained amicable 13

TL;DR at Bottom: Quick Facts

  • Three husbands, four weddings : Katz (brief), Guber (family-focused), Adelson (twice).
  • No marriage after 1992; Walters focused on career and daughter.
  • Her loves mirrored her life's intensity—passionate starts, career clashes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.