Marian Bergeron
Encyclopedia
Marian Bergeron was Miss America
in 1933.
Bergeron, from West Haven, Connecticut
, won the crown as the pageant returned to Atlantic City, New Jersey
after a five year hiatus see (Timeline of major beauty pageants
). She was the youngest Miss America in history, winning the crown at the age of 15½, and held the title for two years since no competition was held in 1934. One of the sponsors of the pageant, RKO pictures, refused to award Bergeron the prize of a screen test, claiming that she was too young.
Bergeron went on to a career in big-band singing, appearing with such as Rudy Vallee
and Guy Lombardo
.
Bergeron was married three times. Her first marriage, to Donald Ruhlman, lasted until his death in 1972 and produced three children. Her second marriage, to Frederick Seltzer, lasted until his death in March 2002
Bergeron died of leukemia
in Ohio in 2002
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
in 1933.
Bergeron, from West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 52,721.-History:...
, won the crown as the pageant returned to Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
after a five year hiatus see (Timeline of major beauty pageants
Timeline of major beauty pageants
-Pre 1900s:*early 19th century: Bathing Beauty Pageant of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware begin.*1854: P.T. Barnum was the man behind the first American pageant.-1920s:...
). She was the youngest Miss America in history, winning the crown at the age of 15½, and held the title for two years since no competition was held in 1934. One of the sponsors of the pageant, RKO pictures, refused to award Bergeron the prize of a screen test, claiming that she was too young.
Bergeron went on to a career in big-band singing, appearing with such as Rudy Vallee
Rudy Vallée
Rudy Vallée was an American singer, actor, bandleader, and entertainer.-Early life:Born Hubert Prior Vallée in Island Pond, Vermont, the son of Charles Alphonse and Catherine Lynch Vallée...
and Guy Lombardo
Guy Lombardo
Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo was a Canadian-American bandleader and violinist.Forming "The Royal Canadians" in 1924 with his brothers Carmen, Lebert, and Victor and other musicians from his hometown, Lombardo led the group to international success, billing themselves as creating "The Sweetest...
.
Bergeron was married three times. Her first marriage, to Donald Ruhlman, lasted until his death in 1972 and produced three children. Her second marriage, to Frederick Seltzer, lasted until his death in March 2002
Bergeron died of leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
in Ohio in 2002