Diane Sawyer: Through the Years

Sawyer was just announced as Charles Gibson’s successor as anchor of World News. From her young win at America’s Junior Miss pageant to memorable interviews with Michael Jackson and George W. Bush, VIEW OUR GALLERY of the journalist’s life.

AP Photo

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-5_ukwcmb — Diane Sawyer was born in Kentucky and grew up in Louisville. In March 1963, she won the America’s Junior Miss pageant and is seen here with the runners-up from other states.
AP Photo

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-8_t9qkqm — At age 17, Sawyer took a tour of New York while in the city for the America’s Junior Miss pageant. She went on to receive an English degree from Wellesley College in Massachusetts before beginning her career in television news.
AP Photo

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-11_rnoimj — Sawyer (seen here in 1970) worked in Richard Nixon’s administration, and after his resignation continued to advise and assist him in writing his memoirs.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-3_dzutuy — Before she joined ABC News in 1989, Sawyer spent the beginning of her career at CBS. She was the first woman to co-anchor 60 Minutes and is seen here with producer Don Hewitt on Oct. 1, 1985.
CBS / Landov

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-6_yrtxre — Peter Jennings, then host of ABC’s World News Tonight, Tom Brokaw, anchor of NBC Nightly News, and Sawyer, during her tenure at 60 Minutes.
Chase Roe / Retna

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-12_eaov2d — After many years with CBS, Sawyer switched networks in 1989 and became co-anchor of Primetime Live with Sam Donaldson.
David Montgomery / Getty Images

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-2_s18qtg — In 1988, Sawyer married her current husband, director Mike Nichols. The playful couple is seen here at the 1992 Hampton Classic horse show.
Kimberly Butler, Time Life Pictures / Getty Images

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-13_ja6cxh — Sawyer and Barbara Walters co-anchored ABC’s Turning Point after its premiere in 1994.
AP Photo

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-1_vnbzbl — In 1995, Diane Sawyer scored an interview coup—Michael Jackson and then-wife Lisa Marie Presley spoke with her but revealed little about their puzzling marriage. The highly anticipated interview was watched by 60 million people.
ABC / Retna Ltd.

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-4_xovtnj — Sawyer (seen here with husband Mike Nichols) received the Hall of Fame Award at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ 13th Annual Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in 1997.
Chris Pizzelo / AP Photo

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-7_yvoufu — Since 1999, Sawyer has been seated in the Good Morning America anchor chair. Here, she carries the Olympic torch in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, in December 2001.
Todd Warchar, Pool / AP Photo

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-9_dsivmi — President George W. Bush sat down with Sawyer to discuss relief efforts for the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Emmy Award-winning journalist has also interviewed Saddam Hussein, President Fidel Castro, John Gotti, Manuel Noriega, Nancy Reagan, and the Clintons.
Krisanne Johnson, White House / AP Photo

galleries/2009/09/02/diane-sawyer-through-the-years/diane-sawyer-10_bntffj — Sawyer and Charles Gibson teamed up as co-hosts of Good Morning America in 1999, and the two remained on the air together for seven years, until Gibson left to helm World News Tonight, a position Sawyer will take over in January 2010.
Richard Drew / AP Photo

TRENDING NOW