Jamie R asked Susan Page:

Just finished your book about Barbara Walters and very much enjoyed it. My question: In her long period of declining health she spent years locked away and after passing had no public memorial. Do you think she made the decision to completely withdraw/have no memorial? It seems so sad and over such a long period of time.

Susan Page Jamie, Thank you for reading my book. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it. In those sad, final years, Barbara Walters couldn't bear the idea of others seeing her in mental and physical decline, I think. Her image as a vigorous, fascinating and successful person was so important to her. But based on my reporting with her friends and colleagues, I think she would have savored one of those big splashy memorial services, like the one Peter Jennings had, and she attended. I was told that her daughter, who is very private, was reluctant about that, so it didn't take place. I wish there had been one, and I wish I could have been there. Best, Susan

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