Joyce Brothers

Dr. Joyce Brothers 1988

Joyce Brothers (October 20, 1927 – May 13, 2013) was an American psychologist, television personality, and columnist, who became famous in the 1950s for winning the television game show The $64,000 Question. She was one of the first television psychologists, offering advice on family, relationship, and life issues, and became a household name over her decades-long career. Brothers was also an author, writing books that provided psychological insights into everyday problems.

Early Life and Education

Joyce Brothers was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Estelle (née Rapaport) and Morris K. Bauer, who were attorneys. She attended Far Rockaway High School in Queens, New York, where she graduated first in her class. Brothers then went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1947, majoring in Home Economics. She later pursued her master's degree and Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University.

Career

Brothers first gained fame by becoming the only woman to ever win the top prize on the television game show The $64,000 Question in 1955, specializing in the subject of boxing, a topic she learned from her husband, Milton Brothers. Her victory on the show led to accusations of the show being fixed, but Brothers defended her win by passing a public quiz with flying colors.

Following her game show success, Brothers leveraged her fame to build a career in television and writing. She began making appearances on various talk shows and eventually hosted her own television shows, including The Dr. Joyce Brothers Show. Her television career spanned several decades, during which she dispensed advice on a wide range of topics, from marital issues to child rearing, and even sex education.

In addition to her television work, Brothers wrote a daily syndicated newspaper column that was published across the United States. She also authored several books on topics such as relationships, psychology, and self-help, contributing significantly to popular psychology.

Impact and Legacy

Joyce Brothers was a pioneer in the field of media psychology, using television and print media to make psychological advice accessible to the general public. She demystified psychology and made it relevant to everyday life, paving the way for future television psychologists and talk show hosts. Brothers was also known for her advocacy on various social issues, including women's rights and mental health awareness.

Death

Joyce Brothers passed away on May 13, 2013, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at the age of 85. Her death marked the end of an era in television history, but her legacy as a pioneer in the field of popular psychology continues to be felt.

Selected Works

• The Brothers System for Liberated Love and Marriage
• What Every Woman Should Know About Men
• Widowed

See Also

• Television in the United States
• Psychology
• Self-help