Esther Williams Net Worth

#Fact1Miscarried what would have been her 1st child with 2nd husband Ben Gage in September 1946 at 4 months pregnant.2Longtime best friend of Jane Wyman.3She was very good friends with: Angela Lansbury, Jane Wyman, Arlene Dahl, Fernando Lamas, Ann Miller, Ben Gage, Howard Keel, Virginia Mayo, Van Johnson, Cyd Charisse, Keenan Wynn, Lena Horne, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Ricardo Montalban, Kirk Douglas, Tippi Hedren, Carol Channing, Betty Garrett, Elaine Kaufman, June Allyson, Margaret O'Brien, Ann Rutherford, Abby Dalton, Ruta Lee, Cesar Romero, Cora Sue Collins, Ann Blyth, Donna Reed, Ann Sothern, Leon Ames, Gloria DeHaven, Jimmy Durante, Ginger Rogers, Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Mario Lanza, Alexis Smith, Ava Gardner, Katharine Hepburn, Gene Kelly, Jeanette MacDonald, Clark Gable, Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney and Robert Mitchum.4"Ziegfeld Girl" is Williams' favorite film.5Upon her death, she was cremated and her ashes scattered at sea in the Pacific Ocean.6Looking back, Esther claimed that the water was her favorite co-star. When she discovered her talent in swimming, she practiced dutifully in the ocean to gather strength and eventually won a spot on the prestigious Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team. She started gaining notice after appearing in aquatic revues, occasionally opposite such swimming notables as actor and Olympic swimming champion Johnny Weissmuller.7Aquatic filming had its dangers according to Esther. She once broke three neck vertebrae in a dive; suffered several broken eardrums over the years; nearly drowned once when she couldn't find an underwater trapdoor exit; was almost mutilated by an out-of-control outrigger; and was nearly overcome by waves created by a camera boat that came within inches of her water skis while shooting (pregnant) a scene in Cypress Gardens, Florida.8Esther was the youngest of five children. Claiming that her oldest sister, Maurine, was more of a mother to her while growing up, it was Maurine who became her first swimming coach. Esther later stated that her mother, Bula, tried "to get rid of me" while pregnant by purposefully going horseback riding and by once jumping off a chest of drawers.9Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, as a contributor, in 1966.10MGM's Louis B. Mayer claims he pursued Esther as an answer to 20th Century Fox's box office ice-skating film star Sonja Henie. Esther won her contract after making a screen test with Clark Gable.11Once worked as a stock girl for I. Magnin in Los Angeles.12She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.13She was a strong supporter of the Republican party. She appeared with Virginia Mayo at the 1953 Republican Rally and in past presidential elections she endorsed Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney.14She was a member of the Unity Church.15Esther Williams was an advisor to the International Olympic Committee at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles for the new sport of Synchronized Swimming.16Was the national champion in the 100 meter freestyle and was a favorite to make the 1940 Olympic team. Unfortunately, she missed her opportunity due to the outbreak of World War II.17She had two grandchildren, Austin and Erin, from her son Ben. She has a grandson, Thomas, from her daughter Susie.18Her son, Kim, was injured in a motorcycle accident. Both of his legs were shattered and he had to relearn how to walk.19Three stepchildren, from Lamas: Cristina, Alexandra "Alex" and Lorenzo.20Her son Kimball Austin died at age 57 in May 2008.21Stepmother of Lorenzo Lamas.22Grandstepmother of Shayne Lamas and A.J. Lamas.23In Italy, all her films were dubbed by Dhia Cristiani, except Raw Wind in Eden (1958) where the talented Andreina Pagnani lent her voice to Williams.24She was offered roles in both The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and The Towering Inferno (1974) by Irwin Allen. She turned down both.25Youngest of five children. The others were Stanton, June, Maurine and David.26Born in Los Angeles, Esther was the youngest of five children. Her family had come to Los Angeles from Salt Lake City, where her older brother Stanton Williams was "discovered" by actress Marjorie Rambeau and brought to Hollywood for films. Stanton, who was born in Salt Lake City, died suddenly at age 16 when he developed intestinal blockage and his colon burst.27Second husband was singer/actor Ben Gage, a "Big Band" vocalist who dubbed Victor Mature, George Montgomery, Dana Andrews and Cornel Wilde in various musical films. They had three children.28Was inducted into the Swimming Pool Hall of Fame in 1967.29Received her first screen kiss by Mickey Rooney in Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942).30Met first husband Leonard Kovner while a student at the University of Southern California. He was a premed student.31She and teammate Virginia Hopkins were to take part in the 1940 Olympics, which was canceled due to World War II.32Her first job was at age 8 at a local Inglewood, California neighborhood school's swimming pool counting towels.33Longtime friend of June Allyson.34Before her stint in MGM musicals, she had been training as a competitive swimmer, and probably would've participated in the 1940 and/or 1944 Olympics (she would've been 18 and 22 years old respectively) if they hadn't been canceled because of World War II.35She lent her name to a brand of swimming pools that are still sold today, Esther Williams Pools.36Met fourth and last husband, Edward Bell, at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.37A mother of three children, two sons and one daughter. Benjamin Stanton "Ben" Gage was born on August 6, 1949. Second son, Kimball was born on October 30, 1950. And only daughter, Susan Tenney "Susie" Gage was born on October 1, 1953.38Co-producing Aquaria, a Las Vegas water spectacle set to open in 2003. [2002]39Her movie career played a major role in the promotion of competitive and synchronized swimming, which she is credited with popularizing.40Filed a lawsuit against MGM for use of some footage in That's Entertainment! (1974).41In the 1950s, she was known as "America's Mermaid".42Younger sister of Stanton Williams.43Excerpts from her 1999 autobiography in major American magazines revealed that her one-time lover, actor Jeff Chandler, was obsessed about dressing in women's clothing. Williams' revelations about Chandler angered many readers. The book also revealed Williams took LSD under a doctor's supervision, after Cary Grant recommended it.