Claudia Cohen
Encyclopedia
Claudia Lynn Cohen was an American
gossip columnist, socialite, and television reporter.
, a magazine wholesaler, and his wife, Harriet. She grew up in Englewood, New Jersey
, and attended the Dwight School for Girls (now the Dwight-Englewood School
) and the University of Pennsylvania
.
as a reporter for its fledgling gossip column Page Six. She succeeded Neal Travis as editor of Page Six in 1978. Noted for going for the jugular, and creating a column with savvy and a sharp edge, Cohen is credited with putting Page Six on the map. Cohen left the Post in 1980 to start her own short-lived gossip column, I, Claudia (a play on words of the book title I, Claudius
) at a rival Manhattan newspaper. While that column was not a success, it did maintain Cohen's profile. Cohen was a regular on Live with Regis and Kelly
and an active member of the Manhattan and Hamptons social scene.Olshan, Jeremy (16 June 2007). Gossip Will Be Heavenly: Ex-Six-Pager Cohen Dies, New York Post
. The two married in 1985, and had one daughter, Samantha. After nine years, the couple divorced, and Cohen reportedly received a settlement of $80,000,000 (eighty million U.S. dollars).
Cohen later dated former U.S. senator from New York state, Al D'Amato
.
At the request of Ronald Perelman, the University of Pennsylvania renamed the historic Logan Hall, sitting next to College Hall
and originally named after James Logan
, secretary to William Penn
, "Claudia Cohen Hall," much to the surprise and dismay of some Penn faculty, alumni, and students. The rear of the newly-renamed building overlooks Perelman Quadrangle
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
gossip columnist, socialite, and television reporter.
Early life and education
Claudia Cohen was the daughter of businessman Robert Cohen, the president of the Hudson County News CompanyHudson Group
The Hudson Group is an East Rutherford, New Jersey, based retailer which operates a chain of newsstands, bookstores, fast food restaurants, and other retail stores chiefly at airports and train stations in the United States. It was founded in 1918 by Ike Cohen as a newspaper distributorship in...
, a magazine wholesaler, and his wife, Harriet. She grew up in Englewood, New Jersey
Englewood, New Jersey
Englewood is a city located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 27,147.Englewood was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of...
, and attended the Dwight School for Girls (now the Dwight-Englewood School
Dwight-Englewood School
The Dwight–Englewood School is an independent coeducational college preparatory day school, located in Englewood, New Jersey. The school teaches students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade via three functionally separate schools. The Lower School serves students in pre-kindergarten through...
) and the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
.
Journalism career
In 1976, she joined the New York PostNew York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
as a reporter for its fledgling gossip column Page Six. She succeeded Neal Travis as editor of Page Six in 1978. Noted for going for the jugular, and creating a column with savvy and a sharp edge, Cohen is credited with putting Page Six on the map. Cohen left the Post in 1980 to start her own short-lived gossip column, I, Claudia (a play on words of the book title I, Claudius
I, Claudius
I, Claudius is a novel by English writer Robert Graves, written in the form of an autobiography of the Roman Emperor Claudius. As such, it includes history of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and Roman Empire, from Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 BC to Caligula's assassination in AD 41...
) at a rival Manhattan newspaper. While that column was not a success, it did maintain Cohen's profile. Cohen was a regular on Live with Regis and Kelly
Live with Regis and Kelly
Live! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
and an active member of the Manhattan and Hamptons social scene.Olshan, Jeremy (16 June 2007). Gossip Will Be Heavenly: Ex-Six-Pager Cohen Dies, New York Post
Personal life
In 1984, Cohen began a relationship with businessman Ronald PerelmanRonald Perelman
Ronald Owen Perelman is an American business magnate. Through his company MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., he has invested in various companies in grocery, cigar, licorice, makeup, car, photography, television, camping, security, lottery, jewelry, banks, and comic book industries.-Early...
. The two married in 1985, and had one daughter, Samantha. After nine years, the couple divorced, and Cohen reportedly received a settlement of $80,000,000 (eighty million U.S. dollars).
Cohen later dated former U.S. senator from New York state, Al D'Amato
Al D'Amato
Alfonse Marcello "Al" D'Amato is an American lawyer and former New York politician. A Republican, he served as United States Senator from New York from 1981 to 1999.-Early life and family:...
.
At the request of Ronald Perelman, the University of Pennsylvania renamed the historic Logan Hall, sitting next to College Hall
College Hall (University of Pennsylvania)
College Hall is the oldest building on the West Philadelphia campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to its construction, the university was located on Ninth Street in Center City, Philadelphia. The building was designed by Thomas Webb Richards and completed in 1873...
and originally named after James Logan
James Logan (statesman)
James Logan , a statesman and scholar, was born in Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland of Scottish descent and Quaker parentage. In 1689, the Logan family moved to Bristol, England where, in 1693, James replaced his father as schoolmaster...
, secretary to William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
, "Claudia Cohen Hall," much to the surprise and dismay of some Penn faculty, alumni, and students. The rear of the newly-renamed building overlooks Perelman Quadrangle
University of Pennsylvania Perelman Quadrangle
The University of Pennsylvania Perelman Quadrangle conference center has an old world style and comprises a number of buildings that date back to 1985. The Perelman Quadrangle was the first student union in the entire nation, and was designed by an award winning architectural company...
.