Pauline Friedman Philips, who used the name Abigail Van Buren to write the long-running "Dear Abby" advice column that was followed by millions of newspapers around the world, has died. She was 94.
Philips died on Jan. 16 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease according to her publicist Gene Willis of Universal Uclick according to the Associated Press.
Philips' column competed for years with rival advice column of Ann Landers, written by her twin sister, Esther Friedman Lederer.
The two columns offered a different style for readers to choose from. Ann Landers' columns responded to questions with detailed advice where as Abby's advice could occasionally be a single, sarcastic sentence.
Click here to view the online version of Dear Abby.
As the years went by, her advice changed depending on the topic. For example, she was hesitant to discuss and advocate divorce when she first started, but warmed up to the idea later on in life.
"I always thought that marriage should be forever," Phillips said according to the Associated Press. "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."
Other topics that she covered during her time included working mothers, sex, and letters that sounded suicidal. From time to time she would call the writer of the letter, say who she was, and provide advice on where the individual could seek help for their suicidal thoughts.
Philips chose the name Abigail for her column from the Bible and only a year after starting she signed a 10-year contract with the McNaught Syndicate to spread her column around the U.S. She conducted the radio version of "Dear Abby" from 1963 until 1975 and wrote best-selling books about her life.
The woman who wrote Ann Landers' column died in 2002, the same year that Philips announced she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease according to the Associated Press.
Philip's daughter Jeanne Philips has been the sole writer of the Dear Abby column since her mother was diagnosed.
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