The View's Barbara Walters has died aged 93

The View creator and legendary journalist Barbara Walters has passed away at age 93, her publicist has confirmed.

Barbara's death was announced on Friday night (30 December) by her network ABC.

Robert Iger, chief executive of The Walt Disney Company - ABC's corporate parent - confirmed that Barbara had died at her home in New York, though the circumstances of her death were not given.

"Barbara was a true legend, a pioneer not just for women in journalism but for journalism itself," read Mr Iger's statement.

An additional statement from her publicist Cindi Berger read: "Barbara Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones. She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists, but for all women."

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In her four decades at the ABC network, Barbara Walters became a household name, interviewing everyone from the industry's top entertainers to royal figures to world leaders.

The Emmy-winning journalist was at the forefront of a wave of TV journalists who became stars themselves, making for higher ratings for new programmes.

In 1976, Barbara made headline news when she became the first female network news anchor, with a one million dollar annual salary.

"For a long time, I couldn't talk about that time without tears in my eyes," she told the San Francisco Examiner.

"It was so awful to walk into that studio every day where no one would talk to me."

Her co-host, Harry Reasoner, made it clear that he was not thrilled to have her as a partner - even when they were on air.

In 1997, Barbara founded The View, a live ABC weekday talk show with an all-female panel, for whom no topic was too daunting.

Hosts of the show over the years have included Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Raven-Symoné, and Meghan McCain.

Barbara had referred to the unexpected hit as the 'dessert' of her career.

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In May 2014, she recorded her final episode of The View amid much ceremony and a gathering of scores of luminaries to end a five-decade career in television – although she continued to make occasional TV appearances after that.

During a commercial break, a throng of TV newswomen she had paved the way for - including Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric, Robin Roberts and Connie Chung - posed with her for a group portrait.

"I have to remember this on the bad days," Barbara said quietly during the TV special, "because this is the best."

For 29 years, Barbara hosted the pre-Oscars interview show, speaking to Academy Award nominees.

Speaking of her unprecedented success in 2004, Barbara had said: "I never expected this! I always thought I'd be a writer for television. I never even thought I'd be in front of a camera."