Marilyn Hagerty dies at 99; North Dakota newspaper columnist's review of Olive Garden went viral

"Hagerty died at a hospital in Grand Forks from complications related to a stroke, according to her daughter Gail Hagerty. She remembered her mother as a journalist at heart who was more interested in giving readers an honest assessment of what to expect from a restaurant than in being critical. Her 2012 Olive Garden piece was unique and authentic, coming from a grandmother in North Dakota, Gail Hagerty said."

"She was everywhere and she loved it and it was a wonderful experience, although she had to ask my brother what does it mean if you go viral. She didn't know that, Gail Hagerty said. She used to say that if you were going to have 15 minutes of fame and if you were 86, you had to do it soon. You couldn't wait."

Marilyn Hagerty died at a hospital in Grand Forks from complications related to a stroke at age 99. Her daughter, Gail Hagerty, said Marilyn was a journalist at heart who prioritized giving readers an honest assessment of what to expect from a restaurant rather than being critical. Her 2012 Olive Garden piece praised the chain's chicken Alfredo as warm and comforting on a cold day and included observations about vases, planters, arched doorways and a fireplace. The piece spread on social media and drew national attention. Chef Anthony Bourdain defended her, met her, and published a book of her columns with a foreword. Hagerty enjoyed the attention and recalled not knowing what "go viral" meant.

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