Helen Gurley Brown Helen Gurley Brown Helen Gurley Brown (February 18, 1922 – August 13, 2012; born Helen Marie Gurley) was an American author, publisher, and businesswoman. She was the editor-in-chief of "Cosmopolitan" magazine for 32 years. Helen Marie Gurley was born February 18, 1922 in Green Forest, Arkansas, the daughter of Cleo Fred (née Sisco; 1893-1980) and Ira Marvin Gurley. At one time her father was appointed Commissioner of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. After his election to the Arkansas state legislature the family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. He died in an elevator accident on June 18, 1932. In 1937,
Brown Institute for Media Innovation to as the Brown Institute. The institute was created in 2012 following a $30 million endowment made to Stanford University and Columbia Universities by Helen Gurley Brown. Gurley Brown, an author, publisher, and businesswoman, who served as editor-in-chief of "Cosmpolitan" magazine for over three decades, partially endowed the institute in memory of her husband, David Brown, who produced the films "Jaws", "The Sting", and "The Verdict", among others, and attended both Stanford and Columbia. Speaking of the institute's purpose, Gurley Brown stated, "David and I have long supported and encouraged bright young people to follow their passions and to create