From pageant star to press aide and ABC News anchor, Diane Sawyer has an impressive – and incredibly varied – portfolio of work behind her. At just 17 years old, she stole the spotlight for the first time at the Junior Miss pageant in 1963 and, 20 years later, went on to make broadcasting history. Keep reading to find out about her pageant crown, rise to fame and her life away from the cameras...
© Getty ImagesDiane worked for the likes of ABC World News Tonight, as well as serving as a press aide at the White House
TV anchor star
Lila Diane Sawyer has worked as a TV broadcast journalist on major news programmes including ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America and PrimeTime Live.
After working as a press aide for Richard Nixon and assisting with his memoirs, she returned to journalism as a political correspondent for CBS and in 1984 became the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes.
© Bettmann Archive via Getty ImagesDiane took the top spot at the Junior Miss pageant in 1983 for the state of Kentucky
Beauty pageant days
Just over 20 years before she made history on 60 Minutes, Diane was crowned America's Junior Miss on March 16, 1963.
She represented the state of Kentucky in the competition, now known as the Distinguished Young Women pageant, and won a $7,500 scholarship.
© Getty ImagesShe started out as a weather forecaster in the '60s
Rise to fame
Diane started her on-screen journalist career as a weather forecaster and reporter in Kentucky between 1967 and 1970. She then moved to Washington, D.C. to work as a press aide for then-President Richard Nixon.
She joined CBS as a political correspondent in the late '70s, working as a co-anchor on CBS Morning News with Charles Kuralt. In the late '80s, she moved to ABC News to co-anchor PrimeTime Live as well as appearing on Good Morning America and ABC News, alongside notable high-profile interviews.
© FilmMagic via Getty ImagesAway from the camera, Diane found long-term love with director Mike Nichols
Behind the camera
The famed TV anchor found love with director Mike Nichols, tying the knot on April 29, 1988. They remained married until his death in 2014.
Mike also found star success during his career, winning an EGOT – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards – with huge hits like The Graduate, Working Girl, and The Birdcage featuring in his portfolio.
© FilmMagic via Getty ImagesToday, she keeps her hand in with special broadcasts and documentary work
What's she doing now?
Diane has stepped back from daily broadcast roles; instead, she's often on call for special coverage for ABC News or as a documentary producer.
Her recent projects include The Turpin Family Special, The Mystery of Richard Simmons and the commemorative 9/11 25th Anniversary Special, speaking to the children of victims from the tragic attack.
