Zsa Zsa Gabor (born Zsuzsanna Olga Gábor; February 6, 1917 – December 18, 2016) was a Hungarian‑American actress, television personality, and socialite. She achieved international fame for her glamorous lifestyle, witty public persona, and numerous marriages.
Early life
Gabor was born in Budapest, Austria‑Hungary (now Hungary), into a wealthy family; her father was a jeweler and her mother a socialite. She had two older sisters, Magda and Eva, who also pursued public careers. In 1935, the Gabor family moved to Vienna, where Zsa Zsa began a brief modeling career.
Emigration and acting career
In 1941, Gabor emigrated to the United States, initially settling in New York City. She gained prominence after a 1950 interview on the radio programme The Ed Sullivan Show, where her flamboyant personality attracted considerable attention. She appeared in a number of Hollywood films, including Lovely to Look At (1952), Moulin Rouge (1952), Jupiter’s Darling (1955), and Lili (1953). Though her film roles were generally minor, she became a recognizable figure in American popular culture.
Television and public image
From the 1960s onward, Gabor was a frequent guest on talk shows and variety programs, often offering humorous remarks about her personal life. In the 1990s, she had a recurring role as Aunt Zsa Zsa on the sitcom The Nanny. Her public image was characterized by a self‑effacing sense of humor and an internationally recognized accent.
Personal life
Gabor was married nine times, including unions with hotel magnate Conrad Hilton (1942–1947) and actor Kristoff St. John (1972–1973). She had one son, Francesca Hilton, with Conrad Hilton. Her multiple marriages and high‑profile relationships were a regular subject of media coverage.
Later years and death
Gabor remained active in the public eye into her late 90s, attending events and granting interviews. She died of cardiovascular disease at her home in Los Angeles, California, on December 18, 2016, at the age of 99.
Legacy
Zsa Zsa Gabor is remembered as an emblem of mid‑20th‑century celebrity culture. Her name has become synonymous with glamour and exuberant social life, and she is frequently referenced in discussions of Hollywood’s golden age socialites.
