Dear Abby Dies at Age 94

The writer who originated the Dear Abby column has died. TMZ reports that Pauline Phillips, who offered personal advice in newspapers for nearly a half-century, passed away yesterday at age 94. She'd suffered from Alzheimer's. At its peak, the column reached 100 million newspaper readers daily.

Phillips' daughter Jeanne, who took over the column from her mom in 2002, says, "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." Abby was the twin sister of rival columnist Ann Landers, who died in 2002.

Her pen name, Abigail Van Buren, was taken from a wise woman in the Old Testament and the surname of one of her favorite presidents.