. >> she began her career in the 1950s on browa to tv. she will be known for a tv show that was modern and traditional. ? here's the story of a lovely lady ? >> florence henderson was best known as america's mom. >> alice, the washing machine has gone crazy! >> reporter: in the fall of 1969 she became carol brady and matriarch of "the brady bunch." it was crowning jewel of a more >> reporter: mrs. brady! >> reporter: that spanned all aspects of show business. >> rules are very important, bobby. they are made to protect people. >> reporter: florence told sayer hughes in 2010 said the character may have been too perfect. >> a lot of women say i hated you because my kids wanted you to be their mother. >> reporter: the show was among the first to introduce an audience to a blended family. >> next time, before you wash something, will you check the label where it says dry clean >> reporter: though is ended in 1974 reruns and reboots kept the brady's and henderson in the spotlight for multiple generations. >> i grew up in a very large, poor fam