Esther "Eppie" Pauline Friedman Lederer (July 4, 1918 - June 22, 2002) and Ruth Crowley were the main writers behind the public image of advice columnist Ann Landers and the syndicated advice column, of the same name. For about 45 years, the column was a regular feature in many newspapers across North America. People would write her letters to seek her advice concerning their personal problems, and she would publish her advice in her columns. Her writing style was direct, and often critical. She would often upbraid a letter-writer with the quip, "Watch it, bub!"

Lederer had an identical twin sister, Pauline Esther Friedman Phillips ("Popo"), who was 17 minutes younger than Eppie. The twins were daughters of Russian Jewish emigrants Abraham B Friedman and Rebecca (Rushall) Friedman, and grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. Both sisters attended Morningside College in 1936-9, and both wrote for the college's newspaper. In later years, while Lederer wrote the "Ann Landers" column, her twin sister wrote a similar personal advice column, "Dear Abby," under the name Abigail Van Buren. At the age 21 in July 1939, they had a joint wedding ceremony.

Lederer was married to Julius Lederer, a business executive. For many years, the Lederers' home was in Chicago, where they owned a large, well-furnished apartment. Lederer often said that she exercised regularly by walking the length of her apartment several times a day.