Dear Abby Dies; Pauline Phillips (Abigail Van Buren) Was 94

Pauline Phillips, better known as Abigal Van Buren, the woman who founded the famous "Dear Abby" advice column, has died at the age of 94.

She had been battling Alzheimer's disease.

Pauline's daughter, Jeanne, who took over the "Dear Abby" column, confirmed yesterday, "I have lost my mother, my mentor and my best friend."

"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."

Her "Dear Abby" column first appeared in print in 1956.

Eventually, its readership topped 100 million.

Success, and words of wisdom, ran in her family. Pauline's twin sister was fellow advice columnist Ann Landers, who died in 2002 at the age of 83.

Phillips used the pen name Abigail Van Buren - "Abigail" hails from a wise woman in the Old Testament and "Van Buren" was one of her favorite presidents.