DONALD TRUMP

End of an Era: Celebs, Colleagues Mourn ‘Legendary' NY Columnist Liz Smith

Liz Smith, the syndicated gossip columnist whose mixture of banter, barbs, and bon mots about the glitterati helped her climb the A-list as high as many of the celebrities she covered, died Sunday at the age of 94.

Smith endeared herself to many celebrities and scored major tabloid scoops. Her biggest scoops include Donald and Ivana Trump's divorce and Woody Allen and Mia Farrow's impending parenthood.

[NATL-NY] Remembering Renowned NY Columnist Liz Smith

She started her own column at the New York Daily News in 1976. A gossip star was born.

"When she escorts us into the private lives of popular culture's gods and monsters, it's with a spirit of wonder, not meanness," wrote Jane and Michael Stern in reviewing Smith's 2000 autobiography, "Natural Blonde," for the New York Times Book Review.

"I was fortunate enough to work with the amazing Liz Smith. During my time at WNBC she was nothing short fabulous," NBC "Today" Show host Al Roker said after hearing of Smith's death.

"I edited @LizSmth’s syndicated columns when I worked at the Tribune and it was by far the most fun part of my job. She was a hoot, a gifted writer and a brilliant observer. RIP," editor Will Mendelson said on Twitter.

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