Sexual revolution and women's liberation icon passes

A 1960s legend who helped usher in the sexual revolution and wrote Sex and the Single Girl died today at 90.

Helen Gurley Brown (shown in a 1964 photo) also attracted attention as editor of Cosmopolitan, a position she assumed in 1965.

The magazine's explicit approach to sexual matters built widespread interest.

Brown remained as editor until 1997 and long thereafter continued to come to her office on an almost daily basis.

An internal statement from the Hearst Corporation - Cosmopolitan's parent - was released following Brown's passing.

In it, a spokesperson said: "I know you will join me in feelings of great sadness upon learning of the loss of our dear friend and colleague Helen Gurley Brown. 

"Helen passed away this morning at the McKeen Pavilion at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia after a brief hospitalization. She was 90.

"It would be hard to overstate the importance to Hearst of her success with Cosmopolitan, or the value of the friendship many of us enjoyed with her.

"Helen was one of the world’s most recognized magazine editors and book authors, and a true pioneer for women in journalism - and beyond.

"Life here will somehow not seem the same without her near-daily arrival at 300 West 57th Street.

"Donations may be made to The Pussycat Foundation, c/o Karen Sanborn, Hearst Corp., 300 W. 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, to fund media innovation at Columbia and Stanford Universities.

"A fall memorial will be announced at a later date."