Barbara Walters: I had affair with U.S. senator (additional barf bags required)

CNN ^ | 5/1/2008 | ap

[tobyhill]

NEW YORK (AP) -- After three decades of keeping mum, Barbara Walters is disclosing a past affair with married U.S. Senator Edward Brooke, whom she remembers as "exciting" and "brilliant."

Appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" scheduled to air Tuesday, Walters shares details of her relationship with Brooke that lasted several years in the 1970s, according to a transcript of the show provided to The Associated Press.

A moderate Republican from Massachusetts who took office in 1967, Brooke was the first African-American to be popularly elected to the Senate. Both he and Walters knew that public knowledge of their affair could have ruined his career as well as hers, Walters says.

At the time, the twice-divorced Walters was a rising star in TV news and co-host of NBC's "Today" show, but would soon jump to ABC News, where she has enjoyed unrivaled success. Her affair with Brooke, which never before came to light, had ended before he lost his bid for a third term in 1978.

[lainie]

And what are some theories as to why she’s choosing now to disclose this....?

I’m ready to hear ‘em.

[melt]

The "Blackest Man" she was ever with...

[smalltownslick]

Thank you. That was really interesting.

[smalltownslick]

Come to think of it, that’s the first time I ever heard that euphemism, “mis-stated.”

[LibFreeOrDie]

Brooke and his daughters eventually reconciled. Don’t know how they’ll feel about Barbara Walters mouthing off.

Article from 2000:

http://graphics.boston.com/globe/magazine/2000/3-5/featurestory2.shtml