Feminist Helen Gurley Brown Dead At 90

Famed feminism pioneer, one-time Cosmopolitan Magazine editor, and well-regarded Manhattan philanthropist Helen Gurley Brown has died at the age of 90.

Ms. Brown, who wrote “Sex and the Single Girl,” took over at the magazine in 1965, giving it its sexually frank tone. She remained editor until 1997 and is still listed as editor in chief for Cosmopolitan International on all mastheads. Until her death, Ms. Brown was known for coming into her pink corner office nearly every day. The Hearst statement reads: “It would be hard to overstate the importance to Hearst of her success with Cosmopolitan, or the value of the friendship many of us enjoyed with her. Helen was one of the world’s most recognized magazine editors and book authors, and a true pioneer for women in journalism — and beyond.”

When I was a kid, Brown was a favorite target of television comedians and late night hosts, but I was too young to get the jokes.