For all we poke fun at her, she was a pioneer in print journalism by women in the United States. Someone has to go first. It is understandable that her unfortunate features pushed her towards a lifetime profession in a man’s world. It is sad that she was unable to overcome her prejudices hastening the end of her career.
She may have overcome her prejudices, but at her age and in her profession, maybe she just didn’t care any more about political correctness.
She’s famous, she’s no doubt wealthy, and maybe she was trying to decide whether to retire or not. Maybe she decided to let someone else decide.
Everyone is beautiful to someone. And who is to say her choice of profession wasn’t hers to make? Speculation can be iffy at best, dangerous at worst.