Bess Myerson: Difference between revisions

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	\|caption = Myerson in 1957		\|caption = Myerson in 1957
	\|birth_name =		\|birth_name =
	\|birth_date={{Birth date and age\|1924\|07\|16}}		\|birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|1924\|7\|16}}
	\|birth_place =], ]		\|birth_place = ], U.S.
	\|death_date =		\|death_date =
	\|death_place =		\|death_place =
	\|body_discovered =
	\|death_cause =
	\|resting_place =
	\|resting_place_coordinates =
	\|residence =		\|residence =
	\|nationality =		\|nationality =
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	\|citizenship =		\|citizenship =
	\|other_names =		\|other_names =
	\|known_for = First ] Miss America		\|known_for = First ] and first ] elected Miss America
	\|education =		\|education =
	\|alma_mater =]<br>]<br>]		\|alma_mater = ]<br>]<br>]
		⚫	\|occupation = Model, city commissioner, TV show celebrity
	\|employer =
⚫	\|occupation =Model, city commissioner, TV show celebrity~~, city official, philanthropist~~
	\|years_active =
	\|home_town =
	\|salary =
	\|networth =
	\|title = ]		\|title = ]
	\|~~term~~ =		\|height = 5'10"
	\|predecessor =
	\|successor =
	\|party =
	\|opponents =
	\|boards =
	\|religion = ]		\|religion = ]
	\|spouse = Allan Wayne (1946-) (divorced)<br>Arnold M. Grant		\|spouse = Allan Wayne (1946-19??; divorced)<br>Arnold M. Grant
	\|~~partner~~ =		\|parents = 1}}
	\|children =
	\|parents =
	\|relations =
	\|callsign =
	\|awards =
	\|signature =
	\|website =
	\|footnotes =
	}}

	'''Bess Myerson''' (born July 16, 1924) became the first ] and the first ] (1945) to be crowned ] in the ]. She appeared on various television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, she was involved in New York City politics.		'''Bess Myerson''' (born July 16, 1924) became the first ] and the first ] (1945) to be crowned ] in the ]. She appeared on various television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, she was involved in New York City politics.

	==Miss America==		==Miss America==
		⚫	Myerson was born in ].<ref name="harbio">{{cite web\|url=http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/.premium-1.605276?v=503B9CC881CBD6429FF0EA9AA147268D\|title=This day in Jewish history/A Jewish Miss America who scandalized the press is born\|last=Green\|first=David\|date=2014-07-16\|publisher=Haaretz}}</ref> She lived with her parents (] Louis Myerson and Bella Podell) in the ] with 250 other Jewish families.<ref name="harbio"/> Myerson studied piano and flute at the ].<ref name="harbio"/> She wanted to buy a black Steinway grand piano which she could not afford. Myerson decided to participate in the Miss America pageant after someone joked that it would be a way to buy the piano.<ref name="harbio"/><ref>, nymag.com; accessed October 5, 2014.</ref>
	Myerson was born in ], ].<ref name="harbio">{{cite web
	\|url=http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/.premium-1.605276?v=503B9CC881CBD6429FF0EA9AA147268D
	\|title=This day in Jewish history / A Jewish Miss America who scandalized the press is born
	\|accessdate=
	\|last=Green
	\|first=David
	\|date=2014-07-16
	\|publisher=Haaretz
⚫	}}</ref> She lived with her parents (] Louis Myerson and Bella Podell) in the ] with 250 other Jewish families.<ref name="harbio"/> Myerson studied piano and flute at the ].<ref name="harbio"/> She wanted to buy a black Steinway grand piano which she could not afford. Myerson decided to participate in the Miss America pageant after someone joked that it would be a way to buy the piano.<ref name="harbio"/><ref></ref>

	While competing in the Miss America pageant, Myerson refused, despite entreaties, to use a pseudonym that "sounded less Jewish."<ref name=encycomp/><ref name=pbs></ref> She faced ] after winning the Miss America title, " including the withdrawal of three of the annual beauty pageant’s five sponsors from the arrangement by which the queen would represent the company during her year-long reign."<ref name="harbio"/><ref name=encycomp/><ref name=pbs/> She later campaigned for civil rights, in particular, working with the ].<ref name=encycomp/>		While competing in the Miss America pageant, Myerson refused, despite entreaties, to use a pseudonym that "sounded less Jewish."<ref name=encycomp/><ref name=pbs></ref> She faced ] after winning the Miss America title, " including the withdrawal of three of the annual beauty pageant’s five sponsors from the arrangement by which the queen would represent the company during her year-long reign."<ref name="harbio"/><ref name=encycomp/><ref name=pbs/> She later campaigned for civil rights, in particular, working with the ].<ref name=encycomp/>

	==Career==		==Career==
		⚫	Myerson graduated from ] in 1945 with a degree in music.<ref name=encycomp>{{cite web\|url=http://jwa.org/people/myerson-bess \|title=Jewish Women's Archive: Bess Myerson \|work=Jewish Women's Archive\|accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name="harbio"/> She used the scholarship money won as Miss America to pay for graduate studies at the ] and ].<ref name="harbio"/>

		⚫	In 1954, Myerson was a panelist on '']'', a television game show. From 1958 through 1967, she was a panelist on '']''. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Myerson enjoyed a successful television career as a TV personality, actress and commercial pitchwoman for myriad popular products. Throughout the late 1970s and the beginning of his mayoral ambitions, Myerson was a frequent public companion of Congressman ] and chaired his campaign for Mayor.<ref name="harbio"/>
⚫	~~She~~ graduated from ] in 1945 with a degree in music.<ref name=encycomp>{{cite web \|url=http://jwa.org/people/myerson-bess \|title=Jewish Women's Archive: Bess Myerson \|work=Jewish Women's Archive \|accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name="harbio"/> She used the scholarship money won as Miss America to pay for graduate studies at the ] and ].<ref name="harbio"/>

⚫	In 1954, Myerson was a panelist on '']'', a television game show. From 1958 through 1967, she was a panelist on '']''. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Myerson enjoyed a successful television career as a TV personality, actress and commercial pitchwoman for myriad popular products.<ref name="harbio"/>

	Throughout the late 1970s and the beginning of his mayoral ambitions, Myerson was a frequent public companion of Congressman ] and chaired his campaign for Mayor.<ref name="harbio"/>

	In 1980, Myerson ran for the Democratic nomination for New York's ] seat against Congresswoman ], Queens District Attorney John J. Santucci, and former New York City mayor ]. Myerson lost to Holtzman by a slim margin.<ref name="harbio"/>		In 1980, Myerson ran for the Democratic nomination for New York's ] seat against Congresswoman ], Queens District Attorney John J. Santucci, and former New York City mayor ]. Myerson lost to Holtzman by a slim margin.<ref name="harbio"/>
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	==Later years==		==Later years==
	In the 1980s, Myerson's life was darkened by a legal controversy (colloquially known as "the Bess Mess"). Her lover, sewer contractor ],<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7795569 \|title=Carl "Andy" Capasso \|work=Find a Grave \|accessdate=November 26, 2010}}</ref> who had been convicted of tax fraud, was accused of bribing Judge ] by arranging for a job for Gabel's daughter in Myerson's department.<ref name="Time">{{cite news \|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956639,00.html \|title=Miss America Wins Again \|publisher=] \|date=January 2, 1989 \|accessdate=November 26, 2010}}</ref> Myerson was also indicted and resigned her positions with the City of New York. She was ultimately acquitted.<ref name=Time />		In the 1980s, Myerson's life was darkened by a legal controversy (colloquially known as "the Bess Mess"). Her lover, sewer contractor ],<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7795569\|title=Carl "Andy" Capasso profile at\|work=Find a Grave\|accessdate=November 26, 2010}}</ref> who had been convicted of tax fraud, was accused of bribing Judge ] by arranging for a job for Gabel's daughter in Myerson's department.<ref name="Time">{{cite news\|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956639,00.html\|title=Miss America Wins Again\|publisher=]\|date=January 2, 1989\|accessdate=November 26, 2010}}</ref> Myerson was also indicted and resigned her positions with the City of New York. She was ultimately acquitted.<ref name=Time/>

	On May 27, 1988, Myerson was arrested for ] in ], after she left the ] with several items for which she had not paid.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/28/nyregion/bess-myerson-is-accused-of-shoplifting.html \|title=Bess Myerson Is Accused Of Shoplifting \|publisher=] \|date=May 28, 1988 \|accessdate=January 14, 2011}}</ref> On July 15, 1988, she pleaded guilty to retail theft and was fined. The arrest occurred while she was believed to be visiting Capasso at the ].<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/16/nyregion/myerson-pleads-guilty-to-shoplifting-charge-in-pennsylvania.html\|title=Myerson Pleads Guilty to Shoplifting Charge in Pennsylvania \|publisher=] \|date=July 16, 1988 \|accessdate=April 23, 2014}}</ref>		On May 27, 1988, Myerson was arrested for ] in ], after she left the ] with several items for which she had not paid.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/28/nyregion/bess-myerson-is-accused-of-shoplifting.html\|title=Bess Myerson Is Accused Of Shoplifting\|publisher=New York Times\|date=May 28, 1988\|accessdate=January 14, 2011}}</ref> On July 15, 1988, she pleaded guilty to retail theft and was fined. The arrest occurred while she was believed to be visiting Capasso at the ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/16/nyregion/myerson-pleads-guilty-to-shoplifting-charge-in-pennsylvania.html\|title=Myerson Pleads Guilty to Shoplifting Charge in Pennsylvania\|publisher=]\|date=July 16, 1988\|accessdate=April 23, 2014}}</ref>

			==Presently==
	Myerson is currently living in Santa Monica, California, ~~and is~~ suffering from dementia.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/koch-pal-myerson-constant-side-article-1.1253714\|title=Ed Koch's pal, former Miss America Bess Myerson, was a constant at his side \|publisher=] \|date=February 2, 2013 \|accessdate=April 23, 2014}}</ref>		Myerson, aged 90, is currently living in ], reportedly suffering from dementia.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/koch-pal-myerson-constant-side-article-1.1253714\|title=Ed Koch's pal, former Miss America Bess Myerson, was a constant at his side\|publisher=nydailynews.com\|date=February 2, 2013\|accessdate=April 23, 2014}}</ref>

	==See also==		==See also==
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	\| NAME = Myerson, Bess		\| NAME = Myerson, Bess
	\| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =		\| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
	\| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American ~~actor~~ ~~and~~ ~~model~~		\| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American model, city commissioner, TV show celebrity; first Jewish Miss America
	\| DATE OF BIRTH = July 16, 1924		\| DATE OF BIRTH = July 16, 1924
	\| PLACE OF BIRTH = ], ]		\| PLACE OF BIRTH = ], U.S.
	\| DATE OF DEATH =		\| DATE OF DEATH =
	\| PLACE OF DEATH =		\| PLACE OF DEATH =
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	]		]
	]		]
			]
	]		]
	]		]

Revision as of 22:19, 5 October 2014

Bess Myerson
Myerson in 1957
Born	(1924-07-16) July 16, 1924 (age 100) The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	Hunter College Juilliard School Columbia University
Occupation(s)	Model, city commissioner, TV show celebrity
Known for	First Jewish American and first Miss New York elected Miss America
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Title	Miss America 1945
Spouse(s)	Allan Wayne (1946-19??; divorced) Arnold M. Grant
Parent	1

Bess Myerson (born July 16, 1924) became the first Jewish American and the first Miss New York (1945) to be crowned Miss America in the 1945 pageant. She appeared on various television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, she was involved in New York City politics.

Miss America

Myerson was born in The Bronx, New York. She lived with her parents (Russian-Jewish immigrants Louis Myerson and Bella Podell) in the Shalom Aleichem Co-operative with 250 other Jewish families. Myerson studied piano and flute at the The High School of Music & Art. She wanted to buy a black Steinway grand piano which she could not afford. Myerson decided to participate in the Miss America pageant after someone joked that it would be a way to buy the piano.

While competing in the Miss America pageant, Myerson refused, despite entreaties, to use a pseudonym that "sounded less Jewish." She faced anti-semitism after winning the Miss America title, " including the withdrawal of three of the annual beauty pageant’s five sponsors from the arrangement by which the queen would represent the company during her year-long reign." She later campaigned for civil rights, in particular, working with the Anti-Defamation League.

Career

Myerson graduated from Hunter College in 1945 with a degree in music. She used the scholarship money won as Miss America to pay for graduate studies at the Juilliard School and Columbia University.

In 1954, Myerson was a panelist on The Name's the Same, a television game show. From 1958 through 1967, she was a panelist on I've Got a Secret. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Myerson enjoyed a successful television career as a TV personality, actress and commercial pitchwoman for myriad popular products. Throughout the late 1970s and the beginning of his mayoral ambitions, Myerson was a frequent public companion of Congressman Ed Koch and chaired his campaign for Mayor.

In 1980, Myerson ran for the Democratic nomination for New York's U.S. Senate seat against Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman, Queens District Attorney John J. Santucci, and former New York City mayor John Lindsay. Myerson lost to Holtzman by a slim margin.

Marriages

She married Allan Wayne, a doll company executive, in October 1946. They had one daughter, Barbara, before divorcing.Her second marriage was to Arnold Grant.

Later years

In the 1980s, Myerson's life was darkened by a legal controversy (colloquially known as "the Bess Mess"). Her lover, sewer contractor Carl Andrew Capasso, who had been convicted of tax fraud, was accused of bribing Judge Hortense Gabel by arranging for a job for Gabel's daughter in Myerson's department. Myerson was also indicted and resigned her positions with the City of New York. She was ultimately acquitted.

On May 27, 1988, Myerson was arrested for shoplifting in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, after she left the Hills Department Store with several items for which she had not paid. On July 15, 1988, she pleaded guilty to retail theft and was fined. The arrest occurred while she was believed to be visiting Capasso at the Allenwood Detention Camp.

Presently

Myerson, aged 90, is currently living in Santa Monica, California, reportedly suffering from dementia.

References

^ Green, David (2014-07-16). "This day in Jewish history/A Jewish Miss America who scandalized the press is born". Haaretz.
"Bess Myerson Is One Tough Customer", nymag.com; accessed October 5, 2014.
^ "Jewish Women's Archive: Bess Myerson". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
^ People & Events: Breaking the Color Line at the Pageant
"Milestones, Oct. 28, 1946". Time. October 28, 1946. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
"Carl "Andy" Capasso profile at". Find a Grave. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
^ "Miss America Wins Again". Time Magazine. January 2, 1989. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
"Bess Myerson Is Accused Of Shoplifting". New York Times. May 28, 1988. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
"Myerson Pleads Guilty to Shoplifting Charge in Pennsylvania". New York Times. July 16, 1988. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
"Ed Koch's pal, former Miss America Bess Myerson, was a constant at his side". nydailynews.com. February 2, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2014.

External links

Preceded byVenus Ramey

Miss America
1945

Succeeded byMarilyn Buferd

v t e Miss America titleholders
1920s	Margaret Gorman (1921) Mary Campbell (1922) Mary Campbell (1923) Ruth Malcomson (1924) Fay Lanphier (1925) Norma Smallwood (1926) Lois Delander (1927)
1930s	Marian Bergeron (1933) Henrietta Leaver (1935) Rose Coyle (1936) Bette Cooper (1937) Marilyn Meseke (1938) Patricia Donnelly (1939)
1940s	Frances Marie Burke (1940) Rosemary LaPlanche (1941) Jo-Carroll Dennison (1942) Jean Bartel (1943) Venus Ramey (1944) Bess Myerson (1945) Marilyn Buferd (1946) Barbara Jo Walker (1947) BeBe Shopp (1948) Jacque Mercer (1949)
1950s	Yolande Betbeze (1951) Colleen Kay Hutchins (1952) Neva Jane Langley (1953) Evelyn Margaret Ay (1954) Lee Meriwether (1955) Sharon Ritchie (1956) Marian McKnight (1957) Marilyn Van Derbur (1958) Mary Ann Mobley (1959)
1960s	Lynda Lee Mead (1960) Nancy Fleming (1961) Maria Fletcher (1962) Jacquelyn Mayer (1963) Donna Axum (1964) Vonda Kay Van Dyke (1965) Deborah Bryant (1966) Jane Anne Jayroe (1967) Debra Dene Barnes (1968) Judith Anne Ford (1969)
1970s	Pamela Eldred (1970) Phyllis Ann George (1971) Laurie Lea Schaefer (1972) Terry Meeuwsen (1973) Rebecca Ann King (1974) Shirley Cothran (1975) Tawny Elaine Godin (1976) Dorothy Benham (1977) Susan Perkins (1978) Kylene Barker (1979)
1980s	Cheryl Prewitt (1980) Susan Powell (1981) Elizabeth Ward (1982) Debra Maffett (1983) Vanessa Williams / Suzette Charles (1984) Sharlene Wells (1985) Susan Akin (1986) Kellye Cash (1987) Kaye Lani Rae Rafko (1988) Gretchen Carlson (1989)
1990s	Debbye Turner (1990) Marjorie Judith Vincent (1991) Carolyn Suzanne Sapp (1992) Leanza Cornett (1993) Kimberly Clarice Aiken (1994) Heather Whitestone (1995) Shawntel Smith (1996) Tara Dawn Holland (1997) Katherine Shindle (1998) Nicole Johnson (1999)
2000s	Heather French (2000) Angela Perez Baraquio (2001) Katie Harman (2002) Erika Harold (2003) Ericka Dunlap (2004) Deidre Downs (2005) Jennifer Berry (2006) Lauren Nelson (2007) Kirsten Haglund (2008) Katie Stam (2009)
2010s	Caressa Cameron (2010) Teresa Scanlan (2011) Laura Kaeppeler (2012) Mallory Hagan (2013) Nina Davuluri (2014) Kira Kazantsev (2015) Betty Cantrell (2016) Savvy Shields (2017) Cara Mund (2018) Nia Franklin (2019)
2020s	Camille Schrier (2020) Emma Broyles (2022) Grace Stanke (2023) Madison Marsh (2024) Abbie Stockard (2025)

v t e New York pageant winners
Miss New York	Bess Myerson (1945) Kris Krull (1974) Tawny Godin (1975) Mary Hinterberger (1975) Vanessa Williams (1983) Maryalice Demler (1990) Brandi Burkhardt (1999) Jessica Lynch (2003) Christina Ellington (2004) Kandice Pelletier (2005) Leigh-Taylor Smith (2008) Claire Buffie (2010) Kaitlin Monte (2011) Mallory Hagan (2012) Nina Davuluri (2013) Kira Kazantsev (2014) Jamie Lynn Macchia (2015) Nia Franklin (2018)
Miss New York USA	Jackie Loughery (1952) Mary Therese Friel (1979) Jennifer Gareis (1994) Shanna Moakler (1995) Kimberly Pressler (1999) Jaclyn Nesheiwat (2004) Meaghan Jarensky (2005) Adriana Diaz (2006) Gloria Almonte (2007) Joanne Nosuchinsky (2013)
Miss New York Teen USA	Ruth Zakarian (1983) Jessica Collins (1988) Kimberly Pressler (1994) Gloria Almonte (2001) Adriana Diaz (2003) Natascha Bessez (2005) Taylor Gildersleeve (2009) Lisa Drouillard (2011)
Mrs. New York	Meaghan Castaldi (2010)
Miss New York World	Michele Metrinko (1963)

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