Barbara Walters admirers will soon have a chance to own a piece of the late broadcast journalist’s legacy.
Later this month and into early November, more than 300 items from the television icon’s Upper East Side apartment will be up for auction.
Later this month and into early November, more than 300 items from Barbara Walters’ Upper East Side apartment of more than three decades will be up for auction.
Walters — who passed away late last year, aged 93 — spent more than 30 years at the posh dwelling, “surrounded by treasured American Art, jewelry, fashion, furniture, decorative items, and cherished personal mementos — all of which will be going under the hammer” in a live and online auction, reads a a description by auctioneer Bonhams.
“In line with Walters’ commitment to philanthropy, the net proceeds of the sale will benefit charities dear to Walters.”
More than 120 pieces of jewelry will be on offer, including many of the bold earrings and brooches Walters became known for wearing during her legendary interviews.
There’s the 13.84-carat engagement ring Merv Adelson gave Walters during their brief marriage (estimated to be worth anywhere from $600,000 to $900,000), a ruby and diamond floral brooch Walters wore to the Waldorf Astoria in 1991 for the eighth annual Night of Stars fashion festival, as well as gifts from celebrity friends, including a silver-plated cigarette box she received from Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones.
Her extensive dinnerware collection is also up for grabs — fine China teacups and dishes likely used by the star-studded guests of her soirees, from Dr. Henry and Nancy Kissinger, Oscar and Annette de la Renta and Andrew Lloyd Webber to Hugh Jackman.
And for anyone with $19.75 million to spare, Walters’ silverware and art pairs wonderfully with the apartment itself, which hit the market in April.
Located at the white-glove cooperative 944 Fifth Ave., the unit (currently configured as a two-bedroom) boasts a wood-burning fireplace, 10-foot-high ceilings, views of Central Park and, of course, the priceless association with a woman who was once the world’s highest-paid news anchor.