Bess Meyerson Dead At Age 90

[FredLeonard]

Bess Myerson was a regular panelists on "I've Got A Secret" and a mink coat model on "The Big Payoff." Before that she was the first Jewish Miss America. Later became New York City's commissioner of consumer affairs under Mayor Edward I. Koch (and, reportedly, Koch's beard-companion to deflect rumors that Koch was gay). Her picture, as Miss America, continues to be used in the opening montage for "American Experience."

The first and only Jewish Miss America died last month at age 90, it was announced Monday. Bess Myerson won the pageant in 1945, then went on to be a television personality, public official, and even had a short-lived run for U.S. Senate. Myerson's political life was even more fascinating than her landmark win: in 1977, she campaigned with Ed Koch in his run for mayor, holding hands with the bachelor candidate rumored to be gay and not dispelling rumors of marriage. (They never were married.) Later, Myerson worked under presidents Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter.

 

[brian4]

R.I.P.

I am a fan of I've Got A Secret, when The Game Show Network would show episodes on their "Black and White" block. Too bad GSN doesn't play classic game shows anymore.