Jenny McCarthy Opens Up About Witnessing The Start Of Barbara Walters’ Dementia

Jenny McCarthy has opened up about her time on The View, revealing a shocking moment that led her to believe Barbara Walters was showing early signs of dementia. McCarthy, who co-hosted the daytime talk show from 2013 to 2014, recalled an incident where Walters seemed to forget a recent interview she had conducted.

During a discussion about pop culture, McCarthy mentioned singer Katy Perry, only for Walters to ask who Katy Perry was. The moment stunned McCarthy, who realized something was off. The show’s producers then shifted from pop culture to politics. This was an area Walters was still sharp in, but also one McCarthy was unprepared to discuss.

Jenny McCarthy and Barbara Walters had a  difficult work relationship

Throughout her time on The View, McCarthy and Walters often clashed behind the scenes. McCarthy described her experience as terrible, indicating that Walters would shout at her and even tell her what she was allowed to wear on the show. She stated she would have to get dressed over and over again if Walters did not like how their outfits clashed.

One of the moments McCarthy talked about was when Walters found a tampon in the bathroom and demanded that McCarthy handle it, despite her explaining that it did not belong to her. Such incidents made McCarthy suspicious, aside from the stress of already handling their strained work relationship.

Barbara Walters’ final years

Walters left The View in 2014, but she was never diagnosed with dementia before her death in 2022 at the age of 93. McCarthy’s recollections have reopened debate about the legendary journalist’s later life in the public eye. Although they hardly worked together amicably, McCarthy acknowledged Walter’s legendary career and success in television.

While McCarthy’s comments have caused a buzz on the web, they provide insight into Walters’ later years and potential problems she may have experienced. Walters’ legacy as an early broadcasting pioneer cannot be denied, even when these claims by McCarthy show the humanity behind her larger-than-life career.