Pauline Friedman Phillips, most commonly known as "Dear Abby" who wrote the long running advice column that millions of readers throughout the world followed, has died at age 94. Publicist Gene Willis of Universal Uclick reported on Jan. 17 that Philips died on Jan. 16 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Phillips wrote under the pen name of Abigail Van Buren.
Phillips' news column competed for decades with her twin sister, Ann Landers' advice column. Landers real name was Esther Friedman Lederer. In their early adult years, their relationship was turbulent, but they later reclaimed the early years close relationship that they had growing up in Sioux City, Iowa.
The two sisters columns were different in the style they were written. Ann Landers answered her readers questions with homey, in depth advise. Whereas Abby's replies were often offhand one-liners. Phillips acknowledged that her advice had changed over the years. At the beginning, when she started writing her column, she was hesitant to promote divorce:
"I always thought that marriage should be forever," she explained. "I found out through my readers that sometimes the best thing they can do is part. If a man or woman is a constant cheater, the situation can be intolerable. Especially if they have children. When kids see parents fighting, or even sniping at each other, I think it is terribly damaging."
The woman who wrote under the pen name of Ann Landers passed away in 2002. Later in that year, her family explained that Phillips had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, helped to co-write the column for more than a decade with her mother. After it was revealed that the columnist had Alzheimer's, Jeanne stepped into the role of its sole author.
"I have lost my mother, my mentor and my best friend," said Jeanne mentioned in a statement. "My mother leaves very big high heels to fill with a legacy of compassion, commitment and positive social change. I will honor her memory every day by continuing this legacy."
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