Early Life and Education

Barbara Frum was born on September 8, 1937, in Niagara Falls, New York, into a Jewish family. She was the eldest of three children. Her father emigrated to Canada at a young age, while her mother, a native New Yorker, moved to Canada in 1935 after marrying. Barbara grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and went on to study at the University of Toronto, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1959.

Family Life

In 1957, Barbara married Murray Frum, a Toronto dentist who later became a successful real estate developer—not a journalist or speechwriter, as sometimes erroneously reported. They had two children and adopted a third, an Indigenous child. Their daughter, Linda Frum, is a Canadian senator and a former journalist associated with the Canada-Israel Committee. Their son, David Frum, is a well-known political journalist and author who served as a speechwriter for U.S. President George W. Bush and has been associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Journalism Career

Following her graduation, Barbara began working as a freelance journalist, contributing articles to the Toronto Star that often focused on social issues. Her commitment to public affairs and current events led to her joining the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in 1971.

At CBC Radio, Frum became the first host of the groundbreaking current affairs program As It Happens. Known for her incisive interviewing style, she conducted live interviews with newsmakers around the world, earning a reputation for intelligence, wit, and journalistic integrity. She hosted the program until 1981, helping to establish it as one of CBC's most respected and enduring programs.