Claudia CohenBefore Perez Hilton, before TMZ, before even E Television, there was Claudia Cohen. Claudia had all the dirt on the socialite set because she was one of the inner circle.
Claudia died Friday, June 15, after a six-year battle with stomach cancer. She leaves behind a daughter, Samantha, and brother, James. She also leaves behind a legacy of style and elan wielded by a sharp yet fair hand.
Claudia began her career in gossip as a columnist for the NY Post's famous Page Six in 1976. Within two years, she became its editor. Two years after that she was wooed away by the Post's arch rival, The Daily News, where she wrote her "I, Claudia" column.
She left print journalism for a steady gig on "Live With Regis and Kathie Lee" and then "Regis and Kelly", where she gained an even bigger following with her pinpoint accurate reporting delivered with class and poise.
As successful as she was professionally, some say she did even better in her personal life when she married billionaire Ron Perelman in 1985. When the marriage split up ten years later, Claudia scored an $80 million settlement, yet the two remained good friends to the end, with Ron at her bedside when she passed.
We lost a trailblazer this weekend. May the tongues that wag bring her miles of good cheer wherever she is. We'll miss you, Claudia.
