Paul McCartney Honors His Wife Nancy’s Cousin, Barbara Walters, In Sweet Tribute: ‘She Will Be Missed But Always Fondly Remembered’
Paul McCartney honored the memory of Barbara Walters in a sweet message on social media on Saturday.
The late newscaster, who died on Friday at the age of 93, was not only a friend of the former Beatle, 80, but also a member of his extended family: a cousin of his wife Nancy Shevell, 63.
“Nancy and I are very saddened by the news of the passing of her dear cousin Barbara Walters. They both enjoyed a deep loving relationship for many years and I was proud to share some of those special moments,” the music legend wrote.
Sad: Paul McCartney honored the memory of his wife Nancy Shevell’s cousin, Barbara Walters, in a sweet social media message on Saturday, following her passing on Friday
“Barbara was an incredible woman who held her own in the early days of male-dominated television and became a global celebrity known for her many insightful interviews with stars from all walks of life. We will miss her but will always remember her fondly. xx’
Sir Paul met The View founder after he began dating Nancy in 2007, while the two were vacationing in The Hamptons.
The Peabody Award winner reportedly helped the blossoming romance by hosting dinner parties for them and was an emotional confidante to Nancy.
Close Cousins: Barbara and Nancy, 63, were second cousins. The groundbreaking journalist reportedly worked to help the growing romance between Sir Paul and the Trucking executive after the pair met in 2007 (pictured in London in October 2011)
The couple dated for several years before tying the knot in a civil ceremony in London, and Barbara was there to support her second cousin.
The newscaster who broke the glass ceiling retired from television in 2014, saying: “I thought it was best to leave when people say, ‘Why are you leaving?’ than “Thank God he’s leaving!”
Praise and memories of the former 20/20 host have poured in since her passing.
Wedding guest: The former The View presenter was a guest at the wedding when Paul and Nancy tied the knot in London in 2011 (pictured in London in October 2011)
Love relationship: The music legend shared that Nancy and Barbara “enjoyed a deep loving relationship for many years and I was proud to share some of those special moments” (pictured in New York in October 2011)
Oprah Winfrey, 68, wrote: ‘Without Barbara Walters there would not have been me, nor any other woman you see on the nightly, morning and everyday news. In fact, she was a Trailblazer. I did my first television audition thinking about her all the time.
Former CBS anchor Dan Rather, 91, offered his own eulogy, saying, “She outworked, outthought, and outstripped her competitors.” She left the world better for it. She will be deeply missed. RIP.’
ABC will honor her in a special edition of 20/20 on Sunday night called “Our Barbara” at 8 pm ET. The show will later stream on Hulu.
Nuestra Bárbara: The groundbreaking journalist will be honored in Our Bárbara, a 20/20 special on Sunday night on ABC