Walters Dishes on Final 'Most Fascinating' List
After 21 years, Barbara Walters has said that her 2013 list of most fascinating people will be her last, and ET got the veteran journalist to open up about this year's special crop of people.
"As I look back, I think we've probably done the biggest celebrities, but we've also done people who were not movie stars," said Walters. "I'm very proud of these specials. I think they've been fun and fascinating and, I hope in their way, a little important."
The class of 2013 includes Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lawrence, Robin Roberts, Edward Snowden, Prince George, Duck Dynasty's Robertson family, Kimye (Kanye West and Kim Kardashian) and Pope Francis.
"There's always, fortunately, something new and fascinating," said Walters, who never could have foreseen interviewing a family that runs a duck call fabrication business (the Robertson clan) or even Miley Cyrus so long after her days as Hannah Montana.
"Most child stars, or adolescent stars, do not make it as they get older," said Walters. "Miley Cyrus is more important today than, probably, she was as Hannah Montana."
Walters believes that young fans can identify with Cyrus in part because of her former engagement to Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth. Cyrus admitted to Walters that, at 19 years old, she was too young to be engaged. According to Cyrus, there's no bad blood between the estranged couple who remain friends even while growing apart.
Fellow journalist Robin Roberts became the subject of many headlines when she bravely announced that she had been diagnosed with a rare blood and bone marrow disorder. Though not completely out of the woods yet, her subsequent fight made her triumphant.
"The thing with Robin is that she allowed everyone to see how tough it was," said Walters. "This was inspiring to people."
To find out who topped Walters' list, tune in to Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2013 airing Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. EST on ABC.