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Award-winning soap actress dies at age 70

<p dir="ltr">Nancy Fragione has died at the age of 70. </p> <p dir="ltr">The award-winning actress was best known for her starring role on <em>All My Children</em>, in which she played Tara Martin from 1977 to 1979. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to an online obituary, Fragione passed away on August 18th in her native Massachusetts, however her cause of death is still unknown. </p> <p dir="ltr">The actress is remembered for her iconic portrayal of villainess Cecile de Poulignac in <em>Another World</em> from 1981 to 1984, in the role that earned her a Soap Opera Digest award for outstanding villainess in a daytime soap opera.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fragione was revered by soap opera lovers, with devastated fans taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their grief over her passing. </p> <p dir="ltr">"One of the most famous villainesses in soap opera history has passed away," one fan expressed.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Nancy Fangione was truly a soap icon," another said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The soap star also had a string of primetime television credits to her name including a guest starring role as Fran Fine's cousin Marsha on <em>The Nanny</em>, <em>Highway To Heaven</em>, <em>Matlock</em> and <em>Buck Rogers</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">Nancy met her husband, Christopher Rich, on the set of <em>Another World</em>, as the co-stars married in 1982. </p> <p dir="ltr">The pair welcomed one daughter, Mariel, together during their marriage but ultimately divorced 14 years later in 1996.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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Why Steve Carell thought his wife hated him when they first met

<p dir="ltr">Hollywood actor Steve Carell thought his now wife Nancy hated him when they first met. </p> <p dir="ltr">The comedians met in the early 90s at The Second City, a comedy club in Chicago where Steve was a teacher. </p> <p dir="ltr">Steve was “immediately attracted” to Nancy and that she ticked all the boxes but didn’t know how to go about asking her out.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She kind of checked all the boxes in my head, but I thought she hated me because she was very quiet around me,” he previously told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/28/steve-carell-despicable-me-family-values" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I thought she for sure knew that I was full of it, and I later found out that she was just as nervous as I was and trying to act cool.” </p> <p dir="ltr">The pair would spend a lot of time together, during improv and at the bar Nancy was a bartender at which was just across the road from the comedy club.</p> <p dir="ltr">There was constant flirting mixed with nervousness and timid feelings as each of them were unsure of what to do.</p> <p dir="ltr">Eventually, Steve bit the bullet and asked Nancy out almost indirectly to which she indirectly said yes.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The conversation would go something like, 'Hey, you know, if I were ever to ask a woman out, it would be someone like you. Exactly like you,'" he said on Ellen.</p> <p dir="ltr">"And she'd say, 'If a guy like you were ever to ask a woman like me out, I would definitely do that.'"</p> <p dir="ltr">"Other people at the bar must have been like, 'Just do it! Put us all out of our misery.' And finally, we did. It was great."</p> <p dir="ltr">The loved up couple eventually wed in 1995 and Steve felt a sense of calm as she walked down the aisle. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I'll never forget standing at the altar and I saw her coming down the aisle – immediately a sense of calm came over me,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There was an ethereal sense of how right it all was and more than anything it was very empowering knowing that person was going to be my partner and have my back. It just made me feel strong, and I'll never forget it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They eventually had two children, Elisabeth, now 21, and John, 18. </p> <p dir="ltr">The pair also appeared together in several projects including <em>The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Angie Tribeca</em> and <em>The Office</em>, in which Nancy played the love interest to Steve's character Michael Scott.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Relationships

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How to Murder Your Husband author sentenced to life in prison

<p>The author who once penned an essay “How to Murder Your Husband” was sentenced to life in prison for murdering her husband at his workplace. </p> <p>Nancy Crampton Brophy, 71, was found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting dead her chef husband Daniel Brophy, 63, back in June 2018. </p> <p>Following the seven week trial, Nancy was sentenced to life in prison on June 13 and will only be eligible for parole after serving 25 years in custody. </p> <p>Prosecutors told the court that Crampton Brophy killed her husband to claim her husband’s $1.4 million life insurance policy. </p> <p>They said that she was collecting gun pieces in the moments leading to Daniel’s death before killing him at the Oregon Culinary Institute. </p> <p>Footage presented to the Multnomah County courtroom showed that Crampton Brophy in fact owned the same make and model of the gun that killed her husband.</p> <p>She was also seen driving to and from the culinary institute when Daniel was killed and found by his students. </p> <p>Her defence team argued that she was collecting them for a new book she was writing - about a woman who slowly collected gun parts to complete a weapon and get back at her abusive husband.</p> <p>They said that Crampton Brophy and Daniel were in a loving relationship for almost 25 years. </p> <p>The jury of five men and seven women deliberated the case for eight hours before delivering the guilty verdict.</p> <p>One of Crampton Brophy’s attorneys, Lisa Maxfield said they are looking to appeal.</p> <p>Crampton Brophy is due to be sentenced on June 13.</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Legal

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“How to Murder Your Husband” author convicted for murdering husband

<p dir="ltr">An author who wrote an essay about “How to Murder Your Husband” has been convicted of murdering her husband.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nancy Crampton Brophy, 71, was found guilty on Wednesday of second-degree murder for shooting dead her chef husband Daniel Brophy, 63, back in June 2018. </p> <p dir="ltr">Prosecutors told the court that Crampton Brophy killed her husband to claim her husband’s $1.4 million life insurance policy. </p> <p dir="ltr">They said that she was collecting gun pieces in the moments leading to Daniel’s death before killing him at the Oregon Culinary Institute. </p> <p dir="ltr">Footage presented to the Multnomah County courtroom showed that Crampton Brophy in fact owned the same make and model of the gun that killed her husband.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was also seen driving to and from the culinary institute when Daniel was killed and found by his students. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her defence team argued that she was collecting them for a new book she was writing - about a woman who slowly collected gun parts to complete a weapon and get back at her abusive husband.</p> <p dir="ltr">They said that Crampton Brophy and Daniel were in a loving relationship for almost 25 years. </p> <p dir="ltr">The jury of five men and seven women deliberated the case for eight hours before delivering the guily verdict.</p> <p dir="ltr">One of Crampton Brophy’s attorneys, Lisa Maxfield said they are looking to appeal.</p> <p dir="ltr">Crampton Brophy is due to be sentenced on June 13.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Legal

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Inside Sinatra's $11.5 million Beverly Hills home

<p><span>The Sinatra family mainstay in Beverly Hills has been listed for an eye-watering AUD $11.5 million. </span></p> <p>It belonged to music legend, Frank Sinatra’s first wife, Nancy Sinatra, who is also the mother of the iconic performer’s three children. </p> <p>Even though the couple departed ways in 1951, she remained an integral part of his life, throughout the myriad of affairs and three more wives throughout Frank’s life. </p> <p>The one-story home ranch, located Beverly Hills, was built in 1979 and while it isn’t the massive or flashy mansions celebrity fans aren’t used to, it has kept it’s elegant and regal warmth. </p> <p>Located in the hilly part of Beverly Hills at the end of a lengthy, private tree-lined drive, the home sits on a lot measuring over one acre. </p> <p>The home also offers serene canyon views and has many highlights including vaulted and coffered ceilings, beautiful french doors leading to a cosy courtyard. </p> <p>Among other unique features also has an incredible walk-in bae where it is stated: "where Hollywood and international celebrities have gathered to toast one another for decades."</p> <p>The master suite is a massive gem on its own and offers a double-sided fireplace, his-and-her baths, as well as soaring vaulted ceilings. </p> <p>Nancy Barbato Sinatra met Frank when she was just 17 and he was 19. The couple married in 1939, and it was a marriage that lasted for 12 years where she worked as a secretary and answered her husband’s endless fan mail. </p> <p><span>Frank’s movie career took off in the 1940s and a</span><span>s a result, the family  moved to Southern California. </span></p> <p><span>It is in Los Angeles where Nancy stayed for the rest of her life. </span></p> <p>In July 2018, Nancy Barbato Sinatra passed away at age 101. Frank died in 1998, but the former couple had reportedly remained on good terms. </p> <p><span>Interestingly enough, when questioned why she never remarried, she asked a journalist incredulously, "After Sinatra?"</span></p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the Beverly Hills home. </p>

International Travel

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Prince Charles describes relationship with Diana as “Greek tragedy”

<p>It’s no secret that their relationship was a tumultuous one, but a series of unearthed letters have revealed just how fractured Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationship really was. In one of the letters, obtained by the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4569560/Prince-Charles-s-hand-written-letters-Nancy-Reagan.html" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Daily Mail</span></strong></em></a>, Charles vented to former US First Lady Nancy Reagan about his marriage just six months before they announced their separation, referring to it as a “Greek tragedy”.</p> <p>“One day I will tell you the whole story,” he wrote. “My problem is it is so awful and so extraordinary that very few people would believe it... It is a kind of Greek tragedy and would certainly make a very good play!”</p> <p>However, it wasn’t always heartbreak for the couple, with Charles gushing in a letter written in 1985 about what an enjoyable time he and Diana shared at a gala hosted by the Reagans. “Diana still hasn't got over dancing with John Travolta, Neil Diamond and Clint Eastwood in one evening, not to mention the President of the United States as well!”</p> <p>In a 2002 letter, Charles also opened up about the impact of the Queen Mother’s death on him, confessing her death left “an enormous chasm” in his life. “However, she also leaves behind the most wonderful legacy of unbelievably happy memories… Oh, how we shall all miss her and everything she stood for...”</p> <p>The Prince maintained a close friendship with Nancy up until her death last year at the age of 94. “The President and Mrs Reagan really valued their friendship with the Royal family, especially The Prince of Wales,” ex-President Reagan’s former chief of staff, Joanne Drake, said.</p> <p>“They shared the ups and downs of their lives and always wrote the other with strong words of personal support, especially if the situation had become public. Mrs Reagan was extremely touched that he attended President Reagan’s funeral in 2004. She felt a special closeness to him.”</p>

Relationships

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Former First Lady Nancy Reagan dies aged 94

<p>Nancy Reagan, who had been living in Bel Air, Los Angeles, has died of congestive heart failure.</p> <p>The small time actress’ 52-year marriage to Ronald Reagan was once describes as "the US presidency's greatest love affair".</p> <p>She wasn’t always well liked. Her penchant for lavish balls and dresses as well as her costly renovation of the white house were initially criticized. Many also felt that the Reagan’s relationship was staged and there was unease about the way Mrs Reagan visibly prompted her husband, leaving many to believe she had too much say in political affairs.</p> <p>However, when her husband revealed he had Alzheimer’s, her supportiveness was not only understood, but revered, and she became one of the most influential women in US history. Nancy Reagan's best-known project as first lady was the anti-drugs "Just Say No" campaign.</p> <p>After her husband died of Alzheimer's in 2004, she became a champion for Alzheimer's patients, raising millions of dollars for research and breaking with fellow conservative Republicans to argue for stem cell studies.</p> <p>US President Barack Obama said Mrs Reagan "redefined the role" of First Lady.</p> <p>She will be buried next to her husband, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/relationships/2015/12/famous-quotes-about-marriage/">13 famous quotes about marriage</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/relationships/2015/12/soulpancake-what-is-love-video/">People aged 0 to 100 define what is love</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/relationships/2016/01/how-to-make-love-last/">The secret to make love last</a></em></strong></span></p> <p> </p>

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