From Socialite to Scribe: Barbara Howar's Unconventional Journey
Barbara Howar, once Washington's most talked-about socialite, transformed into a writer and broadcaster. Her wit and candor left an indelible mark on 1960s high society and beyond.
In the vibrant era of the 1960s, Barbara Howar emerged as a captivating figure in Washington D.C.'s social scene. Her journey from a sparkling socialite to a respected writer and broadcaster exemplifies a life lived on her own terms.
Howar, whose surname rhymed with "flower," was renowned for her unconventional approach to high society. She famously wore pajamas to an embassy event and rode an orange motorcycle through Georgetown Park. Her wit was as sharp as her fashion choices, once quipping about Henry Kissinger's romantic life, "Henry's idea of sex is to slow the car down to 30 miles an hour when he drops you off at the door."
Initially close to the Johnson family, Howar experienced a falling out that became a turning point in her career. She leveraged this experience to launch her writing career, publishing an article titled "Why LBJ Dropped Me" in Ladies' Home Journal in 1968. This led to a co-hosting role on the talk show "Panorama" alongside John Willis and a young Maury Povich.
Howar's memoir, "Laughing All the Way" (1973), became a best-seller, praised for its candid portrayal of Washington society. Novelist Erica Jong described it as "a blast of clean air — a book about politics that only a woman could have written."
Her broadcasting career flourished, including stints on CBS's "Who's Who" and as a panelist on the PBS quiz show "We Interrupt This Week." Howar used her platform to discuss civil rights and women's issues, demonstrating her commitment to social progress.
"Where is your human sense of decency and fairness to people who are different than you?"
Born Barbara Stephanye Dearing on September 27, 1934, in Nashville, Howar's journey took her from Raleigh, North Carolina, to the heart of Washington D.C. Her life was marked by reinvention, from socialite to writer, from broadcaster to Hollywood scout.
Howar passed away on August 2, 1970, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of wit, candor, and resilience. Her life story serves as a testament to the power of reinvention and the enduring impact of a sharp mind in any era.
