Marian Bergeron

Marian Bergeron (May 3, 1918 – October 22, 2002) was Miss America in 1933. She went on to a career in big-band singing and public speaking. She was a major supporter of the Miss America Pageant.[1]

Marian Bergeron
BornMay 3, 1918
DiedOctober 22, 2002(2002-10-22) (aged 84)
TitleMiss America 1933
PredecessorLois Delander
SuccessorHenrietta Leaver
Spouse(s)Donald Ruhlman
Frederick Setzer
Children3

Bergeron, from West Haven, Connecticut, won the crown as the pageant returned to Atlantic City, New Jersey after a five-year hiatus. She is the only Miss America to hail from New England, and she is also the youngest Miss America in history, winning the crown at the age of 15½. She held the title for two years since no competition was held in 1934. One of the sponsors of the pageant, RKO Pictures, refused to award Bergeron the prize of a screen test, claiming that she was too young.

Bergeron went on to a career in big-band singing. She was already an established singer at the time of the pageant, having started at the age of twelve. She appeared with several bands, among them Rudy Vallee and Guy Lombardo. She later became a public speaker.

Bergeron was married three times. Her first marriage, to Donald Ruhlman, lasted until his death in 1972 and produced three children. Her final marriage, to Frederick Setzer, lasted until his death in March 2002.[2][3]

Bergeron died of leukemia in Ohio in 2002.[4] As of 2017, she remains the only Miss America from New England.

References
  1. "Miss America History 1933". Archived from the original on 2013-05-29. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  2. Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2009-08-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Miss America History 1933". Archived from the original on 2006-09-23. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Lois Delander		 Miss America
1933		 Succeeded by
Henrietta Leaver
Preceded by
-		 Miss Connecticut
1933		 Succeeded by
Margaretta Kling


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