Bess Myerson

In 1988, Bess Myerson was arrested in Pennsylvania for shoplifting $44 in goods from a drug store. She was fined. At the time, she was involved in a stressful lawsuit over a different matter. She was facing charges for bribery and conspiracy stemming from hiring a judge's daughter, presumably to influence the judge to rule favorably toward Myerson's lover in his divorce case. The scandal became known as the "Bess Mess".

Served as Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for New York City (1983-1987).

Experienced a mild stroke in 1981, from which she made a full recovery.

Served as Commissioner of Consumer Affairs for the city of New York (1969-1973) and was responsible for passing the best consumer protection legislation in the U.S. at that time.

She was an actress, known for The Jackie Gleason Show (1952), The Philco Television Playhouse (1948) and Frasier (1993). She was married to Arnold M. Grant and Allan Wayne.

Gave birth to her only child at age 24, a daughter named Barbara Carol Wayne (aka Barra Grant), on December 24, 1948, in New York, New York, U.S. Child's father is her first husband, Allan Wayne. Barbara later was adopted by her second husband, Arnold M. Grant, whom she later divorced too.

Miss America 1945. The first and only Jewish woman to ever win the pageant to date (2014).

Bess Myerson was born on July 16, 1924 in The Bronx, New York, USA.