Zsa Zsa Gabor, born Sári Gábor on February 6, 1917, in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, was a Hungarian-American actress and television personality. She began her performing career in Europe before moving to the United States in 1941. Her film credits included Moulin Rouge (1952), Lili (1953), Touch of Evil (1958), and Queen of Outer Space (1958). She received a special Golden Globe Award for Most Glamorous Actress in 1958 and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Her personal life, nine marriages, and appearances on television talk shows frequently attracted media coverage. She died in Los Angeles on December 18, 2016, at the age of 99.

Early Life and Family

Zsa Zsa Gabor was born on February 6, 1917, in Budapest, then part of Austria-Hungary. Her original name was Sári Gábor, although different versions of her birth name and year have appeared in biographical records.

Her father, Vilmos Gábor, was a former Hungarian military officer who later worked in business. Her mother, Jolie Gábor, was involved in the jewelry business and subsequently lived in the United States.

She was the middle of three daughters. Her older sister, Magda Gábor, and younger sister, Eva Gabor, also became public figures. Eva Gabor pursued an acting career and later played Lisa Douglas in the American television comedy Green Acres.

The family lived in Budapest during Gabor's childhood. She attended school in Hungary and subsequently studied at the Madame Subilia boarding school in Switzerland.

Early Stage Career and Miss Hungary

Zsa Zsa Gabor developed an interest in singing and acting while still young. During a visit to Vienna, she met Austrian tenor and composer Richard Tauber, who offered her an opportunity to appear in his operetta The Singing Dream (Der singende Traum).

The production was staged in Vienna during the 1930s. Gabor also attended acting classes in the Austrian capital.

She participated in the Miss Hungary beauty competition during the 1930s. Biographical accounts commonly identify her as the winner of the 1936 competition, although archival material also associates her with earlier beauty contests.

Her early activities in Austria and Hungary were interrupted when she married Turkish diplomat Burhan Asaf Belge and moved to Turkey.

Marriage to Burhan Asaf Belge and Life in Turkey

Zsa Zsa Gabor married Turkish diplomat and writer Burhan Asaf Belge in Budapest on May 17, 1935, according to Hungarian marriage records. Other published biographies give 1937 as the year of their marriage.

Belge worked in diplomatic and governmental positions connected with the Turkish Republic. Following their marriage, Gabor moved to Ankara, where she became acquainted with diplomatic and political circles.

Her years in Turkey preceded her Hollywood career. During this period, she traveled with her husband and met political figures, diplomats, and members of Turkish society.

The marriage deteriorated, and the couple eventually separated. Their divorce was finalized in December 1941.

Claims About Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

In her autobiography One Lifetime Is Not Enough, Zsa Zsa Gabor described her years in Turkey and claimed that she had a romantic relationship with Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK, the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic.

Gabor presented the relationship as a personal experience from her time in Ankara. Her account received renewed attention after the publication of her memoir, which was written with journalist Wendy Leigh.

The alleged relationship has not been independently established through reliable contemporary historical documentation. It should therefore be understood as Gabor's autobiographical claim rather than a verified relationship.

Atatürk died on November 10, 1938, while Gabor was still married to Burhan Asaf Belge.

Move to the United States

Zsa Zsa Gabor moved to the United States in 1941, joining members of her family who had settled there.

After arriving in America, she began establishing connections in entertainment and social circles. Her Hungarian background, European upbringing, and appearances at public events became subjects of newspaper and magazine coverage.

She initially pursued opportunities in acting and television while developing professional relationships in Hollywood.

On April 10, 1942, she married American hotel entrepreneur Conrad Hilton, founder of the Hilton Hotels business.

Marriage to Conrad Hilton

Zsa Zsa Gabor's second husband, Conrad Hilton, had established a growing hotel business in the United States. Their marriage placed Gabor in American business and social circles.

The couple had one daughter, Francesca Hilton, born on March 10, 1947. Francesca was Gabor's only biological child.

The marriage ended in divorce in October 1947. Gabor later discussed the relationship in interviews and autobiographical writing, describing disagreements over money, independence, and their expectations of marriage.

Francesca Hilton subsequently worked as an actress and entertainer. She died on January 5, 2015, at the age of 67.

Connection to the Istanbul Hilton Hotel

Because Zsa Zsa Gabor had previously lived in Turkey and was married to Conrad Hilton during the 1940s, accounts have circulated suggesting that she encouraged him to establish a hotel in Istanbul.

However, the available historical records of the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus project do not establish that Gabor was responsible for the investment decision.

Conrad Hilton visited Istanbul in 1950 with representatives of his company. Discussions with Turkish officials led to an agreement between the Turkish government and Hilton Hotels International in 1951.

The hotel was designed by Turkish architect Sedad Hakkı Eldem in collaboration with the American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

The Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus opened on June 10, 1955, becoming Hilton's first hotel outside the Americas.

Beginning of Her Hollywood Film Career

Zsa Zsa Gabor began appearing regularly in American films during the early 1950s.

In 1952, she appeared in the musical comedy Lovely to Look At and the comedy We're Not Married!.

That year, she also portrayed Jane Avril in Moulin Rouge, directed by John Huston. The film was based on the life of French painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, portrayed by José Ferrer.

Her performance as Jane Avril was one of her early substantial film roles.

In 1953, she appeared in The Story of Three Loves and Lili. In the latter film, she played Rosalie alongside Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer.

She also worked in European productions, including the French comedy The Most Wanted Man (L'ennemi public no. 1) and the German-language musical Ball of the Nations (Ball der Nationen).

Hollywood Films During the 1950s

Zsa Zsa Gabor continued acting in American and European films throughout the decade.

In 1954, she appeared in 3 Ring Circus, a comedy starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. She later played supporting roles in Death of a Scoundrel (1956) and The Girl in the Kremlin (1957).

In 1958, she appeared in Touch of Evil, a crime thriller directed by Orson Welles. The film starred Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, and Orson Welles. Gabor made a brief appearance as the owner of a strip club.

The same year, she played Talleah in Queen of Outer Space, a science-fiction film directed by Edward Bernds. The story follows astronauts who arrive on Venus and encounter a society governed by women.

Her other films during this period included The Man Who Wouldn't Talk (1958) and Country Music Holiday (1958).

In 1959, she appeared alongside Mario Lanza in the musical film For the First Time.

Golden Globe Award and Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 1958, Zsa Zsa Gabor received a special achievement award at the Golden Globe Awards ceremony in the category Most Glamorous Actress.

The award was a special recognition and was not part of the regular acting categories.

On February 8, 1960, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her television work. Her star is located at 6915 Hollywood Boulevard.

Television Career and Public Appearances

Alongside her film career, Zsa Zsa Gabor appeared frequently on American television.

She was a guest on talk shows hosted by Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, and other presenters, discussing her marriages, films, personal experiences, and social life.

She also appeared on television game shows and panel programs, including Hollywood Squares.

Her television acting credits included the series Batman in 1968, The Love Boat in 1980, and As the World Turns in 1981.

In 1989, she appeared in It's Garry Shandling's Show, portraying the Goddess of Commitment.

She continued making guest appearances throughout the 1990s, including an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air starring Will Smith.

Later Film Roles

During the 1960s, Zsa Zsa Gabor appeared in Boys' Night Out (1962), Picture Mommy Dead (1966), and Drop Dead Darling (1966), which was also released as Arrivederci, Baby!.

She continued accepting occasional film roles in the 1970s. These included Up the Front (1972), in which she portrayed Mata Hari, and Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976).

In 1978, she played Olivia Wayne in Every Girl Should Have One.

Her later appearances included Frankenstein's Great Aunt Tillie (1984) and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), in which she appeared as herself.

In 1991, she made a cameo appearance in the comedy The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear. The scene referred to her widely publicized confrontation with a Beverly Hills police officer.

She also appeared in The Naked Truth (1992), The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), and A Very Brady Sequel (1996).

Autobiographies and Published Books

Zsa Zsa Gabor published several books about her personal life, relationships, and experiences in the entertainment industry.

In 1960, she published Zsa Zsa Gabor: My Story, an autobiographical account of her life and career.

Her later books included Zsa Zsa's Complete Guide to Men (1969) and How to Catch a Man, How to Keep a Man, and How to Get Rid of a Man (1970).

In 1991, she published the autobiography One Lifetime Is Not Enough, written with Wendy Leigh. The book discussed her childhood in Hungary, years in Turkey, relationships, Hollywood career, and marriages.

It also contained her account of an alleged relationship with Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK.

1989 Incident with a Police Officer

On June 14, 1989, Zsa Zsa Gabor was stopped by Beverly Hills police officer Paul Kramer for a traffic violation.

During the encounter, Gabor struck the officer. The incident resulted in criminal charges and extensive media coverage.

She was subsequently convicted on charges connected with the confrontation and received a jail sentence, probation, community service requirements, and a fine.

In 1990, she served 72 hours in jail.

The incident was later referenced in her appearance in The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991).

Marriages and Personal Life

Zsa Zsa Gabor married nine times during her life. Eight of the marriages ended through divorce or annulment, while her final marriage lasted until her death.

Her first husband was Turkish diplomat Burhan Asaf Belge, whom she married in 1935. The marriage ended in 1941.

Her second marriage was to hotel entrepreneur Conrad Hilton in 1942. The couple divorced in 1947 and had one daughter, Francesca Hilton.

In 1949, Gabor married British-American actor George Sanders. Their marriage ended in 1954. Sanders subsequently married Gabor's sister Magda Gábor in 1970, although that marriage lasted only a short time.

In 1962, Gabor married businessman Herbert Hutner. They divorced in 1966.

Her fifth husband was oil businessman Joshua S. Cosden Jr., whom she married in March 1966. The marriage ended in 1967.

In January 1975, she married Jack Ryan, an inventor associated with the development of the Barbie doll at Mattel. They divorced in 1976.

Later in 1976, she married attorney Michael O'Hara. Their marriage ended in the early 1980s.

On April 13, 1983, she married Mexican actor Felipe de Alba. The marriage was annulled the following day because her divorce from Michael O'Hara had not been legally finalized.

On August 14, 1986, Gabor married Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt, who had acquired a princely title through adult adoption by Princess Marie-Auguste of Anhalt.

The couple remained married until Gabor's death on December 18, 2016.

List of Marriages

1. Burhan Asaf Belge - May 17, 1935 – December 4, 1941 (Divorced)
2. Conrad Hilton - April 10, 1942 – October 28, 1947 (Divorced; one daughter, Francesca Hilton)
3. George Sanders - April 2, 1949 – April 2, 1954 (Divorced)
4. Herbert Hutner - November 5, 1962 – March 3, 1966 (Divorced)
5. Joshua S. Cosden Jr. - March 9, 1966 – October 18, 1967 (Divorced)
6. Jack Ryan - January 21, 1975 – August 24, 1976 (Divorced)
7. Michael O'Hara - August 27, 1976 – 1982 (Divorced)
8. Felipe de Alba - April 13–14, 1983 (Annulled)
9. Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt - August 14, 1986 – December 18, 2016 (Ended with Gabor's Death)

Health Problems and Final Years

In November 2002, Zsa Zsa Gabor was seriously injured in a traffic accident in Los Angeles. She subsequently experienced mobility problems and required assistance with daily activities.

She suffered a stroke in 2005 and underwent further medical treatment in the following years.

In 2010, she was hospitalized following a fall that caused a broken hip. Her health continued to deteriorate, and she experienced recurrent infections and other complications.

In January 2011, doctors amputated her right leg above the knee because of a serious infection. The operation was performed to prevent further complications that threatened her life.

During her final years, she lived in her home in the Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, where she received medical care.

Death and Burial

Zsa Zsa Gabor died on December 18, 2016, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 99. Her death was attributed to cardiac arrest, with underlying cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions identified as contributing factors.

A funeral service was held on December 30, 2016, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills.

She was cremated, and her remains were initially kept in Los Angeles.

On July 13, 2021, most of her ashes were transported to Hungary and buried in Fiumei Road Cemetery in Budapest, fulfilling her wish to return to her native country.

Her husband, Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt, attended the burial ceremony.

Awards and Honors

1958 - Golden Globe Award, Special Achievement Award for Most Glamorous Actress
1960 - Hollywood Walk of Fame, Television Category (6915 Hollywood Boulevard)

Books

1960 - Zsa Zsa Gabor: My Story
1969 - Zsa Zsa's Complete Guide to Men
1970 - How to Catch a Man, How to Keep a Man, and How to Get Rid of a Man
1991 - One Lifetime Is Not Enough (With Wendy Leigh)

Filmography

2005 - The Last Mogul (Herself, Documentary)
1996 - A Very Brady Sequel (Herself, Feature Film)
1993 - The Beverly Hillbillies (Herself, Feature Film)
1993 - East & West: Paradises Lost (Documentary)
1993 - Happily Ever After (Blossom, Voice, Animated Film; Original Release 1989)
1992 - The Naked Truth (Feature Film)
1991 - The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (Herself, Feature Film)
1987 - A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (Herself, Feature Film)
1987 - Johann Strauss: The King Without a Crown (Aunt Amalie, Feature Film)
1986 - Smart Alec (Feature Film)
1986 - Charlie Barnett's Terms of Enrollment (Film)
1984 - Frankenstein's Great Aunt Tillie (Clara, Feature Film)
1978 - Every Girl Should Have One (Olivia Wayne, Feature Film)
1976 - Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (Premiere Female Star, Feature Film)
1972 - Up the Front (Mata Hari, Feature Film)
1967 - Jack of Diamonds (Herself, Feature Film)
1966 - Picture Mommy Dead (Jessica Flagmore Shelley, Feature Film)
1966 - Drop Dead Darling / Arrivederci, Baby! (Gigi, Feature Film)
1962 - Boys' Night Out (Feature Film)
1960 - The Blue Countess (La contessa azzurra, Feature Film)
1959 - For the First Time (Contessa Gloria de Vadnuz, Feature Film)
1958 - Queen of Outer Space (Talleah, Feature Film)
1958 - Country Music Holiday (Herself, Feature Film)
1958 - The Man Who Wouldn't Talk (Eve Trent, Feature Film)
1958 - Touch of Evil (Strip Club Owner, Feature Film)
1957 - The Girl in the Kremlin (Lili Grisenko / Greta Grisenko, Feature Film)
1956 - Death of a Scoundrel (Mrs. Ryan, Feature Film)
1954 - 3 Ring Circus (Saadia, Feature Film; Released in 1954)
1954 - Ball of the Nations (Ball der Nationen, Feature Film)
1953 - The Most Wanted Man (L'ennemi public no. 1, Feature Film)
1953 - Lili (Rosalie, Feature Film)
1953 - The Story of Three Loves (Feature Film)
1952 - Moulin Rouge (Jane Avril, Feature Film)
1952 - We're Not Married! (Eve Melrose, Feature Film)
1952 - Lovely to Look At (Zsa Zsa, Feature Film)

Selected Television Appearances

1991 - The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Guest Appearance)
1989 - It's Garry Shandling's Show (Goddess of Commitment)
1981 - As the World Turns (Guest Appearance)
1980 - The Love Boat (Guest Appearance)
1968 - Batman (Minerva)

Source: Biyografiler.com