Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS

Tragic End: Barbara Walters Suffering 'Advanced' Dementia, Can't Recognize Friends

Barbara Walters Suffering 'Advanced' Dementia
Source: Getty Images (2)

March 20 2019, Updated 7:42 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Amid Jenny McCarthy's bombshell tell-all about her former View boss Barbara Walters' erratic behavior, RadarOnline.com can exclusively report the TV legend's dementia is so advanced, she no longer recognizes her closest friends — and the tragic end could be near.

Whoopi Goldberg recently paid a visit to her former co-host, but 89-year-old Walters couldn't remember her at all, an insider claimed.

And even worse, Goldberg's presence triggered a screaming fit from the reclusive star, the insider said.

Article continues below advertisement

"Barbara's eyes were opened wide, and she was terrified," the insider spilled. "Barbara screamed: 'Who is she? Get out, get out! Help me! Get out.'"

"She wouldn't stop. No one could calm her down. Whoopi excused herself from the room. She was heartbroken by what she saw."

And while a rep for the veteran journalist said Walters is doing fine, the insider revealed her dementia is now at such a stage that insiders fear she could die any day.

Walters' loved ones have been making subtle arrangements for visitors, and devoted friends have been saying their final farewells.

The insider added: "The family is hoping the sight of familiar faces brings her some comfort in her final stretch. They have not said anything specific about the end, but many of the meetings have been solemn and teary."

But others are worried about the reach of the icon's inner circle — with some regulars suddenly being shut out by a mysterious "butler" who controls the star's affairs.

MORE ON:
Barbara Walters

DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.

Article continues below advertisement

"It's driving her pals crazy. But he's a trusted member of Barbara's team who has known her for years," another source said.

"One of her beauty regulars who used to go over every day when she was on TV hasn't been allowed to see her now in over a year. The butler will not allow anyone in. Barbara had beautiful hair, and now it's thin and white and just pulled back into a ponytail."

"She's in a wheelchair at home and spends most of the day looking out of her windows. It's all very sad."

Article continues below advertisement

According to Vulture, former View cohost McCarthy accused Walters of alternating between screaming at her and being loving and kind during their time together on the show before the star's retirement.

In one incident, McCarthy said Walters forgot who she was, and asked, "Who is Jenny McCarthy?"

McCarthy's stories will appear in Ramin Setoodeh's upcoming expose Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of The View.

More From Radar Online

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 RADAR ONLINE™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.