Bess Myerson
Bess Myerson (July 16, 1924 – December 14, 2014) was an American politician, model, and television actress who in 1945 became the first Miss America who was Jewish. Her achievement, in the aftermath of the Holocaust, was seen as an affirmation of the Jewish place in American life. She was a heroine to parts of the Jewish community, where "she was the most famous pretty girl since Queen Esther."
Bess Myerson | |
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Myerson in 1957 | |
| Commissioner of New York City Department of Consumer Affairs | |
| In office 1969–1973 | |
| Appointed by | John V. Lindsay |
| Preceded by |
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| Commissioner of New York City Department of Cultural Affairs | |
| In office 1983–1987 | |
| Appointed by | Ed Koch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 16, 1924 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | December 14, 2014 (aged 90) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Spouses |
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| Children | Barra Grant |
| Alma mater | Hunter College |
| Occupation | Model, city commissioner, TV show celebrity |
| Known for |
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Myerson made frequent television appearances during the 1950s and 1960s. She was a commissioner in the New York City government, served on presidential commissions from the 1960s through the 1980s, and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate. Her career in public service ended in the late 1980s when she was indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges. She was acquitted after a highly publicized trial.