Oprah Winfrey is greeted by Barbara Walters, left, as she arrives at New York's Plaza Hotel, Nov. 11, 1994. Barbara Walters, the intrepid interviewer, anchor and program host who led the way as the first woman to become a TV news superstar during a network career remarkable for its duration and variety, has died.Oprah Winfrey is greeted by Barbara Walters, left, as she arrives at New York's Plaza Hotel, Nov. 11, 1994. Barbara Walters, the intrepid interviewer, anchor and program host who led the way as the first woman to become a TV news superstar during a network career remarkable for its duration and variety, has died.

Oprah Winfrey, Dan Rather and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are among the high profile public figures to pay tribute to the great Barbara Walters.

Barbara Walters, superstar interviewer and trailblazing news anchor, has died at the age of 93.

During nearly four decades at ABC, and before that at NBC, Walters’ exclusive interviews with rulers, royalty and entertainers brought her celebrity status that ranked with theirs, while placing her at the forefront of the trend in broadcast journalism that made stars of TV reporters and brought news programs into the race for higher ratings.

Celebrities, friends and journalists around the world are paying tribute to Walters on social media.

“Without Barbara Walters there wouldn’t have been me—nor any other woman you see on evening, morning, and daily news,” wrote Oprah Winfrey on Instagram. “Grateful to have followed in her Light.”

“The world of journalism has lost a pillar of professionalism, courage, and integrity,” journalist and former TV anchor Dan Rather wrote on Twitter.

Sports journalist Jamele Hill shared a clip of Walters’ famously intrepid interview with actor Sean Connery from 1987.

“barbara walters was never scared to ask that one question that might get you ran out the room,” wrote music writer Craig Jenkins.

Many shared a clip of Walters scathing interviewing Donald Trump in 1990.

“Barbara Walters never flinched when questioning the world’s most powerful people,” wrote NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabar. “We are all better off because of her.”

Canadian media personality George Stroumboulopoulos also paid tribute to Walters, calling her “one of the greatest to ever do this.”

Here is a look at some other reactions from celebrities and media personalities, along with a few clips that are being shared widely on social media.

With files from The Associated Press

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