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Pioneering Soap Opera Writer Margaret DePriest Dies at 94
30 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Acclaimed soap opera writer and actress Margaret DePriest dies at 94
- Earned 5 Daytime Emmy nominations for her writing on shows like General Hospital
- Began career as actress, then transitioned to co-writing and head writing for numerous soaps
Margaret DePriest, a renowned soap opera writer and actress, has passed away at the age of 94. DePriest, who died on September 29th of natural causes at her home in Greenwich Village, was a trailblazer in the world of daytime television.
Born in Bristow, Oklahoma in 1931, DePriest rose from Depression-era farm life to win a drama scholarship at the University of Oklahoma. She began her career as an actress, with one of her first roles being a contract part as Abby Cameron #1 on The Edge of Night from 1965-1966. DePriest also portrayed a social worker on The Doctors.
However, DePriest's true passion lay in writing. She co-wrote for The Edge of Night in the mid-1960s and went on to become the co-creator and co-head writer of CBS Daytime's Where the Heart Is in 1969. Over the course of her illustrious career, DePriest served as head writer for numerous beloved soap operas, including General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, All My Children, Another World, One Life to Live, and Sunset Beach.
DePriest's exceptional writing skills were recognized with five Daytime Emmy nominations, first in 1985 for General Hospital, two for Days of Our Lives in 1984 and 1985, and for All My Children in 1990 and One Life to Live in 1992. She was also nominated for a WGA Award for Best Writing for Another World in 1998.
