Florence Henderson – Photo Source: Twitter @itsflohenderson

Americas most beloved step-mom Florence Henderson has died at the age of 82 according to various news sources. Henderson is best known for her role as Carol Brady in the hit show The Brady Bunch that premiered in 1969. It originally ran from 1969 to 1974. This show about a blended family was a mainstay on American television sets for at least three decades in the form of television shows/specials and reruns. Millions watched the Brady’s and helped it become the iconic television show that it is.

Kayla Pressman, Henderson’s manger said she  died surrounded by family and friends, in a statement late Thursday.

Henderson started her career on the stage, and grew into a seasoned Broadway actress. In 2010 she was a contestant on the ABC show Dancing with the Stars.

Barry Williams who played the eldest son Greg on the Brady Bunch wrote a book in 1992 called Growing Up Brady: I Was A Teenage Greg. He mentions going out on a date with his TV mother Henderson. He was 16 and Henderson was 39 at the time. This date grew into an urban legend that they had an actual relationship while on the show.

This kind of story growing into some type of television folklore shows the lasting impression Henderson and the Brady Buch has on its millions of fans.

Maureen McCormick who played her eldest daughter Marsha on The Brady Bunch honored her TV mom with a tweet.

Her manager Kayla Pressman said she is survived by her children; Barbara, Joseph, Robert and Lizzie, their respective spouses, and five grandchildren.

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