Barbara Walters: The Asbury Park and Paul McCartney connections

Barbara Walters, the TV news broadcast legend and pioneer, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, at the age of 93.

Walters’ name was familiar around the world for her trailblazing work. In Asbury Park, the Walters name was familiar to generations of city residents — her uncle Harry Walters owned the Walters Department Store on Cookman Avenue.

“My uncle Harry Walters was a leading citizen in Asbury Park,” wrote Walters in her autobiography, “Audition.” “They (Harry and wife Mina) seemed to have a very good marriage. Everyone in the Walters family came to them for advice, comfort, and, oh yes, money.”

Harry also opened stores Long Branch and Freehold.

Barbara’s dad, Lou, was a show business producer, and she lived in Boston, Miami Beach and New York City growing up.

Harry and Mina's daughter, Arlene Walters, married Myron “Mike” Shevell, who eventually became the head of Elizabeth-based trucking company, New England Motor Freight. Their daughter Nancy Shevell married music giant Paul McCartney in 2011.

“Nancy and I are so saddened by the news of her dear cousin Barbara Walters’ passing,” said McCartney on a Dec. 31 Instagram post. “The two of them enjoyed a deep loving relationship over many years and I was proud to share some of those special moments. Barbara was an amazing woman who more than held her own in the early days of male-dominated television and went on to become a worldwide celebrity known for her many perceptive interviews with stars from every walk of life. We will miss her but always remember her with great fondness. Xx.”

More:Barbara Walters, legendary journalist and trailblazer, dies at 93

Barbara Walters is known for her interviews with 20th century movers and shakers, including Richard Nixon, Fidel Castro, Monica Lewinsky, Bing Crosby, Egypt’s Anwar Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin together, and more. Her “Barbara Walters Specials” were must-see TV, and she launched “The View,” in 1997, which is still broadcast today.

She was the first female co-host of “Today” in 1974. Two years later, she became the first female anchor of a network news broadcast, ABC’s “Evening News,” with Harry Reasoner.

“It’s difficult for (a) woman today so one can only imagine the many obstacles she was up against,” commented E Street Band member and Bruce Springsteen wife Patti Scialfa on McCartney’s post. “She laid down the path for all of us trying to achieve something in an era when it seemed impossible. Walking on the moon!!”

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Barbara Walters: The Asbury Park, Paul McCartney connections