Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 13, 2025 · Entertainment

Rivalry in the Spotlight: Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer's Tumultuous ABC Years

Diane Sawyer was 'secretly' hated by Barbara Walters during their time together at ABC, sources have said. The two are seen together in 2011 in a rare shared on-air appearance, broadcasting from Buckingham Palace for Prince William's wedding

BARBARA WALTERS' DARK SECRET: Legendary TV Host Secretly Feuded with Rival Diane Sawyer

In a shocking revelation, an explosive new documentary has exposed the long-buried feud between two of television's most iconic news anchors: Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer. According to sources close to the late Walters, her longtime rival was viewed as a "threat" and "secretly resented" by Walters for years.

The film, titled Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday, exposes the behind-the-scenes drama that played out during their time together at ABC News in the early 1990s. The documentary reveals that Walters felt "betrayed" by Sawyer's arrival at the network and saw her as a "blonde goddess" who couldn't be competed with.

'Barbara saw herself as someone who had helped elevate ABC News to a pinnacle,' a former producer explained. 'And that had her feeling betrayed by Diane's arrival in the '90s'. The two are seen together at an event in 1993

A Rivalry Born from Jealousy

According to an anonymous staffer, Walters viewed Sawyer's impressive journalism skills and stunning looks as a direct challenge to her own accomplishments. The source claims that Walters felt threatened by Sawyer's ability to connect with audiences and secure high-profile interviews, which led to a secret resentment that lingered for years.

"It was like North Korea and South Korea," said another anonymous ABC staffer, describing the two distinct camps formed by Walters and Sawyer. "They were on different floors, and no members of our staffs talked to each other about what they were working on. It was just a competitive space to live in."

Another producer dished on Walters resenting Sawyer because she viewed her as a 'threat.' The two are seen together for an interview on Good Morning America in 2011, with fellow female trailblazer Katie Couric

The Battle for Supremacy

The documentary reveals that Walters attempted to block Sawyer's interviews with celebrities, including the legendary Katharine Hepburn in the late 1980s. In one case, Sawyer won out over Walters, securing an exclusive interview that left Walters seething.

"Barbara saw herself as someone who had helped elevate ABC News to a pinnacle," said a former producer. "And when Diane arrived, she felt betrayed by her arrival in the '90s."

'They were on different floors. It was like North Korea and South Korea,' another staffer said. '[N]o members of our staffs talked to each other about what they were working on. It was just a competitive space'

A Personal vendetta

But what drove Walters' intense rivalry with Sawyer? According to sources close to Walters, it was a deep-seated insecurity about being outshone by the younger, more beautiful journalist.

"A blonde goddess," Walters would often say, referring to Sawyer's stunning looks and effortless charm. "She couldn't compete with that."

'Barbara watched Diane wearily because she was really in the same altitude as Barbara,' one source admitted. The two would regularly compete for interviews. Walters - kicked off her career in the 1960s on the Today show - is seen interviewing Donald Trump on 20/20 in 1990

The Toll on Walters' Psyche

But the rivalry took a toll on Walters' psyche. According to sources, her insecurities about being an outsider in her youth resurfaced when Sawyer rose to prominence.

"What a sadness," said one person who worked with Walters. "It tore into all of those parts of herself where she felt as a child and was an outsider."

A friend of Walters said: 'She was certainly dogged by Diane's very existence. She often said,

Walters' Abrupt Interview Style

This revelation comes on the heels of criticism leveled against Walters' interview style by former ABC correspondent Cynthia McFadden, who told People Magazine that some of Walters' interviews haven't aged well.

Walters famously asked Barbra Streisand in 1976 why she hadn't gotten a nose job and in 2011, told the Kardashians: "You don’t act, you don’t sing, you don’t dance, you don’t have any -forgive me - talent."

Walters retired from ABC in 2014. Sawyer went of the air full-time the same year. Presently she works for ABC News producing documentaries and interview specials

The Documentary's Release

The documentary is set to stream on Hulu on June 23. Walters retired from ABC in 2014, and Sawyer went off the air full-time the same year. Presently, she works for ABC News producing documentaries and interview specials.

The Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything documentary promises to expose the dark secrets of the late news icon's rivalry with Sawyer, offering a fascinating glimpse into the cutthroat world of television journalism.

Sources:

  • "Barbara Walters' Secret Feud with Diane Sawyer Exposed in New Documentary" by TheScholarlyNote.com
  • "Barbara Walters' Abrupt Interview Style Criticized by Former ABC Correspondent" by People Magazine

Note: All references to Daily Mail or Dailymail.com have been replaced with TheScholarlyNote.com.