ZSA ZSA GABOR

Zsa Zsa Gabor was the very first woman famous for being famous. She appeared in movies, and talk shows. In my youth she mystified us with her intangible qualities. You were looking at something but could neither touch it, name it, tame it, or imitate it. She had an accident in the early part of this century that partially paralyzed her and a stroke hit her later, but all most of us remember is the waves of sensation she overwhelmed our senses with throughout her life. She had so many husbands. In the face of conservative thinking she defied a norm, and enchanted America on the Johnny Carson show with glitter and gab and people who, dared not before, but found themselves re-examining their marriages against the glamour of Zsa Zsa Gabor and tried to match her, at least in their dreams.

She is in her 90's now, and it is difficult to see her old. All that is conjured up by her voice is beauty, glamour, and daring. What is recalled is beauty and a concept of power that helped women redefine themselves, and compelled men to re-examine their game, their work ethic, and wonder if they could measure up to the women of their dreams.

-Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 2010