Arts & Entertainment

Legendary gossip columnist Liz Smith dies at 94

the writer came out as bisexual in 2000

Published

8 years ago

November 13, 2017

Mariah Cooper

(Famed gossip columnist Liz Smith died from natural causes on Sunday. Screenshot via YouTube.)

Gossip columnist Liz Smith, whose column in the New York Daily News became syndicated in nearly 70 newspapers, died of natural causes on Sunday. Smith’s literary agent Joni Evans confirmed the news to the Associated Press. She was 94.

A Texas native, Smith moved to New York City and became a news producer for Mike Wallace on CBS Radio, according to the New York Daily News. She moved on to become a ghostwriter for the gossip column Cholly Knickerbocker in the ’50s. In the ’60s, she wrote columns for Cosmopolitan and Sports Illustrated before moving to the New York Daily News to start her own self-titled column in 1976.

Her commentary led her to be dubbed “the Grand Dame of Dish,” for exposing the scandalous secrets of celebrities.

One of her biggest dishes was chronicling Donald and Ivana Trump’s divorce from the fallout of his affair with Marla Maples. Smith told NPR that Donald threatened he would “buy the New York Daily News and order to fire me.”

Her other notable scoops included Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s romance and reporting on Madonna’s pregnancy in 1996.

Twice divorced, she came out as bisexual in her 2000 memoir “Natural Blonde.”

A memorial service for Smith is scheduled for the spring. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Related Topics:Donald Trump Ivana Trump Liz Smith

Up Next

George Takei blames Russian bots for spreading sexual assault allegation

Don't Miss

Ellen Page accuses director Brett Ratner of outing her at age 18

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Sports

‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay

Games to take place next month in Italy

Published

12 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Staff reports

(Photo courtesy of Crave HBO Max)

“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.

HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.

The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.

Bars & Parties

Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans

Entertainers TrevHER and Grey host event with live performance

Published

14 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by New Africa/Bigstock)

Spark Social Events will host “Ru Paul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party Hosted by Local Drag Queens” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.

Drag entertainers TrevHER and Grey will provide commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party will take place on a heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space.

This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Bars & Parties

‘Queer Eye’ watch party set for Friday

DC Center to host event

Published

14 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Members of the cast of 'Queer Eye' speak at an event at Crush Dance Bar in August. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

The DC Center is hosting a watch party for an episode of the 10th and final season of “Queer Eye,” which was filmed in D.C. The screening will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center.

The screening will last 45-55 minutes, with community time both before and after the episode. Drinks and snacks will be provided and organizers promise a “surprise or two.” For information on tickets, visit the DC Center’s website.