Marilyn Hagerty, the food columnist whose earnest Olive Garden review unexpectedly went viral, has died at 99. Her son James R. Hagerty confirmed she passed away on September 16 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, due to stroke complications.

Hagerty's 2012 review of the local Olive Garden for The Grand Forks Herald catapulted her to national fame when it garnered over a million page views. Her matter-of-fact descriptions, like "The chicken Alfredo ($10.95) was warm and comforting on a cold day," initially drew mockery online. However, as the New York Times reports, the tide quickly turned as people recognized Hagerty's authenticity and dedication to covering dining options in her small Midwestern city.

The viral review led to national media appearances and a book deal. Celebrity chef Anthony

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