Agnes Nixon, Creator of All My Children and One Life to Live, Dies at 88

The world of soap operas would have never been the same without Agnes Nixon.

Nixon, who created two of the longest running soap operas, All My Children and One Life to Live, died today at the age of 88.

One Life to Live first aired in 1968 and was canceled in 1968. All My Children first aired in 1970 and was canceled in 2011, but had a short reprieve with an online version that didn't quite take off.

Susan Lucci played the role of Erica Kane on All My Children for more than 40 years, and today shared her thoughts about Nixon's passing on Instagram.

I am devastated to learn that we have lost Agnes. I adored her and admired her--and I am forever grateful to her! May this liveliest and loveliest of women rest in peace.💞💞💞💞💞🙏🙏🙏💖💖💖💖💖

A photo posted by Susan Lucci (official) (@therealsusanlucci) on

Sep 28, 2016 at 1:11pm PDT

In 2010, Nixon shared that Kane was the favorite character of more than 150 she had created, "She does outrageous things, but the audience knows that as much havoc as she causes in the lives of others, she torments herself even more."

All My Children broke barriers in soap opera by being the first to share a lesbian kiss in 2003 and the first to feature a transgender storyline in 2006.

Nixon didn't only work on the two soaps she created, but became the head writer for Guiding Light, wrote hundreds of episodes of Another World and also worked on Search for Tomorrow.

It's absolutely no wonder Nixon won a lifetime achievement award at the daytime Emmys in 2010.

She's survived by her daughter, Mary Nixon, who said, “The thing as an adult that I look back on is she really made people look at stigma and people’s own feelings about a lot of important issues in her time and in our time.”

“She really wanted to help people learn and grow. It was more than just about how many marriages … [it was to help viewers] have a better understanding of life.”

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.