• by Ray Schultz , November 7, 2022

Ellen Levine, former editorial director of Hearst Magazines, has died at age 79. 

Levine was a legendary figure with multiple accomplishments. 

She was the first woman editor in chief of Good Housekeeping magazine. Named to that role in 1994, 100 years after it was founded, Levine expanded the franchise with GoodHousekeeping.com and regular appearances on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

In addition, under Levine, Good Housekeeping tackled issues such as mental illness, the impact of smoking on women’s health and prostate cancer -- Levine arguing that men’s issues belonged in a magazine for women because women are the gatekeepers of family health. 

Levine also helped create  O, The Oprah Magazine, the most successful launch in Hearst Magazines’ history. Levine persuaded Winfrey to start the magazine, and to do it with Hearst. Winfrey called her “Queen Levine.” 

In 2006, Levine was named editorial director of Hearst Magazines. In this role, she was a key force in starting Food Network Magazine in 2008 and HGTV Magazine in 2012, both in partnership with what was then Scripps Network.

Levine’s first job in journalism after college was reporting for The Record in Hackensack, New Jersey. Later, Levine worked at Redbook, Woman’s Day and Cosmopolitan, the latter for iconic editor Helen Gurley Brown, who became a mentor. 

“Yesterday, Hearst lost one of its legends and most enduring talents,” states Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz.  

Swartz adds, “Ellen put readers first in every magazine she was involved with, acting as a fierce advocate for women’s health, their families’ well-being and the greater public good.”  

“Ellen was pioneering and passionate—a connector, mentor and a real force in the publishing industry,” adds Hearst Magazines President Debi Chirichella.

Levine is survived by sons Daniel (and wife Kathleen Kaiser Levine) and Peter (wife Naria Halliwell) and grandchildren Lucas, Jacob, Talia, Sofie and Sasha. Her husband Richard died in 2020.