Nellie Bly, the trailblazing journalist whose 1889 around-the-world journey captivated America, died of pneumonia at age 57 in St. Mark's Hospital. Born Elizabeth Cochrane in Pennsylvania, she launched her career writing for a Pittsburgh paper at $5 weekly before becoming one of journalism's first female investigative reporters.

Bly's most famous feat came when she raced to beat Jules Verne's fictional 80-day record, completing the global journey in 72 days 6 hours 11 minutes for The World newspaper. Her daring stunts included living in a mental asylum to expose conditions, descending in a diving bell, and ascending in a balloon. At her peak, she earned $25,000 annually.

Her later business ventures ended in financial ruin after her husband Robert Seaman's death in 1910. Taking over his steel barrel and manufacturing companies, she faced employee forgeries, bankruptcy, and costly litigation that wiped out her fortune. Despite these setbacks, Bly returned to journalism with her characteristic spirit, working for The New York Evening Journal until her death.