American Anne Hummert started her career as a journalist and travelled to Paris as a correspondent. Following her first marriage and divorce, she returned to the US and took a job in an advertising agency as assistant to Frank Hummert who she would later marry. Within two years Hummert became a vice president of the company.
Together the Hummerts set up a Radio Production Company and are credited with being the creators of the Soap Opera.
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/21/nyregion/anne-hummert-91-dies-creator-of-soap-operas.html?src=pm