Transcript from the December 2012 20/20 Interview "Woman behind the Iron Mask."
Barbara Walters: Virginia "Pepper" Potts has proven herself a force to be reckoned with in the highly competitive world of innovative technology. The current CEO of Stark Industries and once personal assistant to company President and Majority Shareholder Anthony Stark, more famously known as Iron Man, is an inspiration to aspiring business women across the globe.
Barbara Walters: Hello Pepper and thank you for joining me this afternoon.
Pepper Potts: Hi Barbara, glad to be here.
Barbara Walters: Tell me first, what is it like to juggle being the Chief Executive Officer to arguably one of the world's largest technology companies and dating the rather enigmatic Tony Stark?
Pepper Potts: (laughing) Well Barbara, I have to say I think being Tony's girlfriend is the harder of the two. (Looking to the camera with a smile) Sorry Tony! (Back to Barbara) No, I'm kidding of course. I am honored to be at the helm of such a great company, Stark Industries is working hard to make a positive difference in the world.
Barbara Walters: "A positive difference in the world," by that you mean the arc technology?
Pepper Potts: That is one area we are developing yes. Our goal is to provide long-lasting, clean energy for the entire US by 2020 and the world by 2090. We are also at the forefront of drought and famine solutions. Stark Industries is developing better farming methods and irrigation technology for areas stricken by devastation. Our medical bio-tech division is researching more-effecient distribution methods for life-saving antibiotics and vaccines in war-torn countries and, we continue to develop technology for retail use, connecting the world through better means of communication.
Barbara Walters: All admirable goals to be sure. And Iron Man? Is the coined "Nuclear-deterrent" an asset in furthering the company's goals?
Pepper Potts: Of course, Iron Man has repeatably proven an ally to the people of the world.
Barbara Walters: (Smiling) You are not going to elaborate?
Pepper Potts: (Grinning) I'm sorry Barbara, Tony is Iron Man, you may wish to schedule an interview with him if you want to learn more. As SI's CEO, I am not at liberty to discuss the Iron Man technology.
Barbara Walters: And as Mr. Stark's girlfriend?
Pepper Potts: (laughing) Yes of course, talk about nondisclosure agreements.
Barbara Walters: (chuckling) Let's talk about that. You have been dating Tony for a year now. Are there any wedding bells in the near future?
Pepper Potts: (Trying to appear cool and calm, smiling) Predicting the future is still in the theoretical stages Barbara, so who knows what it may hold?
Barbara Walters: That's not a "no" though.
Pepper Potts: It's more a...we're happy to take it one day at a time.
Barbara Walters: (Chuckling) This is Mr. Stark's first openly announced, committed relationship. Has his past reputation made it hard for you to develop trust?
Pepper Potts: (Taking a deep breath) Wow, so about the Iron Man technology...
Barbara Walters: (Laughing)
Pepper Potts: There's no question Tony's former reputation is well known, the man made the Playmate's favorite bachelor five years in a row. (chuckling softly, then getting serious) Is it hard? Sure. But aren't all relationships? I love Tony and I trust him absolutely.
Barbara Walters: It sounds like things are going well?
Pepper Potts: We have our ups and downs like any couple.
Barbara Walters: Of course. Well thank you so much for joining me today Pepper. I wish you and Tony all the best.
Pepper Potts: (Smiling) Thank you for having me Barbara.
Barbara Walters: Virginia "Pepper" Potts has proven herself a force to be reckoned with in the highly competitive world of innovative technology. The current CEO of Stark Industries and once personal assistant to company President and Majority Shareholder Anthony Stark, more famously known as Iron Man, is an inspiration to aspiring business women across the globe.
Barbara Walters: Hello Pepper and thank you for joining me this afternoon.
Pepper Potts: Hi Barbara, glad to be here.
Barbara Walters: Tell me first, what is it like to juggle being the Chief Executive Officer to arguably one of the world's largest technology companies and dating the rather enigmatic Tony Stark?
Pepper Potts: (laughing) Well Barbara, I have to say I think being Tony's girlfriend is the harder of the two. (Looking to the camera with a smile) Sorry Tony! (Back to Barbara) No, I'm kidding of course. I am honored to be at the helm of such a great company, Stark Industries is working hard to make a positive difference in the world.
Barbara Walters: "A positive difference in the world," by that you mean the arc technology?
Pepper Potts: That is one area we are developing yes. Our goal is to provide long-lasting, clean energy for the entire US by 2020 and the world by 2090. We are also at the forefront of drought and famine solutions. Stark Industries is developing better farming methods and irrigation technology for areas stricken by devastation. Our medical bio-tech division is researching more-effecient distribution methods for life-saving antibiotics and vaccines in war-torn countries and, we continue to develop technology for retail use, connecting the world through better means of communication.
Barbara Walters: All admirable goals to be sure. And Iron Man? Is the coined "Nuclear-deterrent" an asset in furthering the company's goals?
Pepper Potts: Of course, Iron Man has repeatably proven an ally to the people of the world.
Barbara Walters: (Smiling) You are not going to elaborate?
Pepper Potts: (Grinning) I'm sorry Barbara, Tony is Iron Man, you may wish to schedule an interview with him if you want to learn more. As SI's CEO, I am not at liberty to discuss the Iron Man technology.
Barbara Walters: And as Mr. Stark's girlfriend?
Pepper Potts: (laughing) Yes of course, talk about nondisclosure agreements.
Barbara Walters: (chuckling) Let's talk about that. You have been dating Tony for a year now. Are there any wedding bells in the near future?
Pepper Potts: (Trying to appear cool and calm, smiling) Predicting the future is still in the theoretical stages Barbara, so who knows what it may hold?
Barbara Walters: That's not a "no" though.
Pepper Potts: It's more a...we're happy to take it one day at a time.
Barbara Walters: (Chuckling) This is Mr. Stark's first openly announced, committed relationship. Has his past reputation made it hard for you to develop trust?
Pepper Potts: (Taking a deep breath) Wow, so about the Iron Man technology...
Barbara Walters: (Laughing)
Pepper Potts: There's no question Tony's former reputation is well known, the man made the Playmate's favorite bachelor five years in a row. (chuckling softly, then getting serious) Is it hard? Sure. But aren't all relationships? I love Tony and I trust him absolutely.
Barbara Walters: It sounds like things are going well?
Pepper Potts: We have our ups and downs like any couple.
Barbara Walters: Of course. Well thank you so much for joining me today Pepper. I wish you and Tony all the best.
Pepper Potts: (Smiling) Thank you for having me Barbara.