Mary Tyler Moore American TV's First Feminist Heroine Dead At 80

Mary Tyler Moore, a pivotal figure in American television history, has died at the age of 80. Having suffered near blindness in recent years after a 47-year-battle with type I diabetes, Moore had been hospitalized in Connecticut prior to her death.

Discovered by Carl Reiner, creator of CBS’s sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66), Moore attained stardom playing Laura Petrie, the stay-at-home wife of Van Dyke’s comedy and variety television writer, and the mother of their kids.

However, when James L. Brooks and Allan Burns subsequently created a sitcom vehicle for Moore, the actress was cast in a role that broke with traditionalist and confining female stereotypes.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–77), which ran for 168 half-hour episodes, was the first American dramatic programme to focus on the life of a never-married, independent professional career woman.

Dedicated to addressing social issues from a progressive perspective, The Mary Tyler Moore Show never compromised its feminist principles. As likeable as she is principled and resilient, the heroine never married in the show, her romances coming and going.

It won 29 Emmy Awards, a record that stood until Frasier eclipsed it in 2002.

Moore and Donald Sutherland in ‘Ordinary People’

Born in Brooklyn Heights in 1936, Moore began her career as a television dancer. She worked prolifically in a wide spectrum of dramatic roles before The Dick Van Dyke show made her a star.

Her films included Thoroughly Modern Millie, What’s So Bad About Feeling Good, and Don’t Just Stand There. In 1980’s Ordinary People, she gave a towering performance as the grieving mother who harshly treats her surviving son for attempting suicide in the wake of his older brother’s drowning. It won Moore the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama and a Best Actress Oscar nomination.

Moore was married three times. Richard Meeker, her son from her first marriage and only child, pre-deceased her. She is survived by her third husband, Robert Levine.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.