TV interviewer Barbara Walters confessed to Oprah Winfrey today on her TV show that she had a long term affair with Massachusetts U.S. Senator Edward Brooke during the 70’s.

After three decades of silence, Walters, 78, is speaking out about her multi-year relationship. According to transcripts from the show obtained by the Associated Press, the View host called Brooke “exciting” and “brilliant” – and tells Winfrey, “I was certainly infatuated … It was exciting times in Washington.”

Walters never talked about her relationship for fear that it would damage her career. Talking to Winfrey, she recounts a phone call with a friend who warned her, “This is going to come out. This is going to ruin your career … This is going to ruin him. You’ve got to break this off.’”

I am sure with Barbara she made for some extremely interesting pillow talk.