Born in Arkansas in 1922, she published her first book, "Sex and the Single Girl," in 1962. Three years later she became chief editor of Cosmopolitan magazine. Who is she?

This trailblazing editor and author was a pivotal figure in 20th-century media, fundamentally changing the conversation around women, careers, and sexuality. Born in Green Forest, Arkansas, in 1922, Helen Gurley Brown first achieved fame with her landmark 1962 book, "Sex and the Single Girl." The bestseller was a revolutionary guide for its time, encouraging women to be financially independent, embrace their careers, and enjoy fulfilling lives and relationships, whether married or not. It was a controversial but massively influential work that established her as a leading voice for a new kind of modern woman.

Just three years later, in 1965, she took the helm of the failing Cosmopolitan magazine and transformed it into a global powerhouse. Applying the philosophy of her book, she created the iconic "Cosmo Girl": a fun, fearless female who wanted it all. For over three decades as editor-in-chief, Brown filled the magazine's pages with frank advice on relationships, career advancement, and sex, all packaged with glamorous celebrity covers. Her vision not only saved the magazine but also shaped the culture for generations of ambitious women.