LA Philanthropist Margie Petersen Dies At 76

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Margie McNally Petersen, the philanthropist widow of publishing magnate Robert Petersen, has died in Beverly Hills at 76.

Spokesman Joseph Molina says Petersen died at her home on Friday after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.

Robert E. Petersen, whose Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines helped shape America's car culture, was 80 when he died of cancer on March 23, 2007. He sold Petersen Publishing in 1996.

The couple founded the Petersen Automotive Museum, which is viewed as the nation's premiere showcase of cars. Mrs. Petersen had been active in preserving her late husband's legacy, including making a recent $100 million donation.

Mrs. Petersen's charity work included the Music Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, the Orphanage Guild, the Natural History Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.