Margaret DePriest, Emmy-Nominated Soap Opera Writer, Dies at 94

Margaret DePriest, a pioneering actress-turned-soap opera writer, passed away at age 94 from natural causes at her Greenwich Village home. Her career spanned over three decades, during which she shaped storylines for iconic daytime TV shows such as General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, All My Children, and Another World. Initially an actress, she transitioned to writing in the mid-1960s, co-creating the CBS drama Where the Heart Is and gaining acclaim for "writing like a man." DePriest was instrumental in crafting memorable storylines, including the landmark Luke and Laura wedding on General Hospital and the "Salem Strangler" plot on Days of Our Lives, while also introducing strong female leads and tackling social issues. She earned five Daytime Emmy nominations and a Writers Guild Award nomination, reflecting her significant impact on daytime television. DePriest is survived by her children and grandchildren, leaving an enduring legacy in the soap opera genre.