Date of Birth: February 2, 1923
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: November 12, 2017
Biography
Liz Smith, born Mary Elizabeth Smith, was a renowned American gossip columnist and journalist who became a formidable force in the world of celebrity news and entertainment reporting. Born on February 2, 1923, in Fort Worth, Texas, Smith developed a passion for storytelling and writing early in her life. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in journalism. Smith began her career in New York City, working in various media roles before landing a job as a ghostwriter for the Cholly Knickerbocker gossip column at the New York Journal-American. Her big break came in 1976 when she started her own gossip column at the New York Daily News, which quickly became a must-read for anyone interested in the lives of celebrities. Her candid and often humorous approach to celebrity news earned her the nickname “The Grand Dame of Dish.” Over her illustrious career, Smith wrote for several major publications, including Cosmopolitan, Newsday, and the New York Post. She also authored several books, including her memoir, “Natural Blonde.” Smith’s influence extended to television, where she made appearances on numerous talk shows and even had her own segment on Fox News. Liz Smith’s career spanned more than five decades, during which she became one of the most celebrated and influential gossip columnists in America. She passed away on November 12, 2017, but her legacy continues to influence the world of entertainment journalism.
5 Interesting Facts about Liz Smith
1. Liz Smith was awarded an Emmy in 1985 for her reporting on WNBC-TV in New York.
2. She wrote her column for the New York Post for nearly 25 years.
3. Smith was an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and was openly bisexual.
4. Her memoir, “Natural Blonde,” became a New York Times bestseller.
5. In 2000, she was named one of the 25 Most Influential Women in America by People magazine.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Liz Smith
1. “Gossip is just news running ahead of itself in a red satin dress.”
2. “You can’t be afraid to shock a little. Sometimes you have to shake people up and make them think.”
3. “I think it’s important for people to understand that gossip can be good. It can bring about change and awareness.”
4. “I always tried to write with a sense of fairness and a touch of kindness.”
5. “The truth is, celebrity gossip is about storytelling, and who doesn’t love a good story?”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Liz Smith’s net worth was estimated to be around $12 million.
Children
Liz Smith did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Liz Smith – Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Liz-Smith
2. [NY Times Obituary](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/12/obituaries/liz-smith-dead.html
4. [Interview with Liz Smith](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/11/liz-smith-200911
5. [Liz Smith on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0808661/