09/10/2025
She was my inspiration in my early years of broadcasting. 🎙️
…now these decades later, I find myself living in the same neighborhood where Barbara grew up.
Barbara Frum was one of the most respected journalists in Canadian history.
So well-known, she was parodied on many shows including CODCO, The Raccoons and Canadian Sesame Street.
Three decades after her death, she is still revered by many.
This is her story.
Barbara Frum was born in Niagara Falls on Sept. 8, 1937. In high school, she served on student council. She then went on to study history at the University of Toronto.
After she graduated, Frum started to do volunteer work and write for the Toronto Star as a freelancer.
In 1971, she began to host As It Happens on CBC Radio. Her skills as an interviewer made her one of Canada's most popular journalists. She hosted the show until 1981. Frum also hosted the TV talk show, The Barbara Frum Show, on CBC TV from 1974 to 1975.
On July 11, 1982, Frum began to co-host The Journal with Mary Lou Finlay. The show included short documentaries, science news, sports stories and interviews. Frum's skills as an interviewer were seen when she spoke to high profile individuals like Nelson Mandela.
On The Journal, Frum became one of the most famous journalists in Canada. That fame led to parodies. On CODCO, Greg Malone portrayed her by using the catchphrase "But are you bitter?". Frum and Malone (dressed as Frum) later presented a Gemini Award together.
She was famous enough to be parodied on children's TV as well. On The Raccoons, she portrayed a version of herself called Barbara LaFrum who interviewed Cyril Sneer. The Muppet Barbara Plum, who hosted The Notebook on Canadian Sesame Street, was also inspired by Frum.
In her career, she was awarded four ACTRA Awards, the National Press Club of Canada Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadian Journalism and the Order of Canada.
Canada was shocked when on March 26, 1992, she died of leukemia. She was first diagnosed in 1974.
The day she died, nearly the entire broadcasts of The National and The Journal were devoted to looking at her life and career. Since her death, she has been heavily honoured. The atrium of CBC's building in Toronto is named the Barbara Frum Atrium in honour of her life.
A branch of the Toronto Public Library carries her name. Due to her love of gardening, the Barbara Frum Day Lily was named for her. She was featured on a stamp from Canada Post in 1999.
In 2022, she was inducted into the Canada's Walk of Fame.
I hope you enjoyed that look at the life of Barbara Frum.
If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at 👇
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/craigu
Sources:
Canadian Encyclopedia: https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/barbara-frum
Mount Pleasant Group: https://www.mountpleasantgroup.com/en-CA/General-Information/Our-Monthly-Story/story-archives/york-cemetery/Barbara-Frum.aspx
Jewish Women's Archive: https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/frum-barbara
Canada's Walk of Fame: https://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductee/barbara-frum
