Myerson, Bess (1924–)

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Myerson, Bess (1924–)

American tv personality and political appointee. Born in New York, NY, 1924; dau. of Louis Myerson (house painter) and Bella Myerson; Hunter College, BA, 1945; m. Allan Wayne (businessman), Oct 1946 (div. 1957); m. Arnold Grant (entertainment lawyer), 1962 (div. and rem., div. again in 1970); children: (1st m.) Barra Grant.

Made history as the 1st Jewish Miss America (1945); won a spot as host on tv game show "The Big Payoff " (1951) and was a regular panelist on popular game show "I've Got a Secret" (1958–67); served as NYC Commissioner of Consumer Affairs (1969–73), orchestrating one of the most progressive (and aggressive) consumer protection programs the city had known; took active role in mayoral campaign of Edward Koch (1977); was appointed Commissioner of Cultural Affairs (1983); while professional life soared, endured 2 painful divorces, was arrested for shoplifting, suffered ovarian cancer and a stroke, and was involved in a number of ill-fated relationships, including a love affair with Andy Capasso, a married sewer contractor, which led to her arraignment on charges of bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice (1988); was later acquitted.

See also Susan Dworkin, Miss America, 1945: Bess Myerson's Own Story (Newmarket, 1987); Shana Alexander, When She Was Bad; and Women in World History.