Bess Myerson Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Bess Myerson, born on July 16, 1924, in the Bronx, New York, was an American television personality, model, politician, and philanthropist. A woman of numerous talents, she became a trailblazer for Jewish women when she won the Miss America pageant in 1945, the first Jewish woman to do so.

Myerson attended the prestigious Juilliard School for piano, but her path took a different turn when she won the Miss New York City title, which led to her participation in the Miss America pageant. After her win, she used her fame to fight anti-Semitism and bigotry, traveling across the United States on a speaking tour titled "You Can't Be Beautiful and Hate."

In 1954, Myerson began her television career as a panelist on "The Big Payoff." She gained further recognition as a long-time panelist on the game show "I've Got a Secret" from 1958 to 1967. Although primarily known for her television appearances, Myerson also played a noteworthy role in the film "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" in 1963.

In addition to her television career, Myerson was also a public servant. She was appointed as the commissioner of consumer affairs in New York City in 1969, where she served until 1973. She launched successful campaigns against fraudulent businesses and was instrumental in passing consumer protection laws. Myerson attempted to extend her public service career in 1980 by running for the U.S. Senate, but she was not successful. In 1983, she was appointed as the head of the New York City Cultural Affairs Department, a position she held until 1987.