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Phyllis George
Phyllis George, a pioneer in sportscasting and a former Miss America, died on Thursday, Might 14, following an extended battle with a blood dysfunction. The Hollywood Reporter shared the information, indicating {that a} household spokesperson confirmed George’s demise. George handed away within the hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. She was 70 years outdated.
Her household issued a joint assertion to the Hollywood Reporter, which reads:
For a lot of, Mother was recognized by her unimaginable accomplishments because the pioneering feminine sportscaster, 50th Miss America and first woman. However this was all earlier than we had been born and by no means how we seen Mother. To us, she was probably the most unimaginable mom we may ever ask for, and it’s all the defining qualities the general public by no means noticed, particularly towards the winds of adversity, that symbolize how extraordinary she is greater than the rest. The sweetness so many acknowledged on the skin was a mere fraction of her inner magnificence, solely to be outdone by an unwavering spirit that allowed her to persevere towards all the chances.
1. George Had a Numerous Profession as an Entrepreneur, TV Host & Sportscaster
George had an extended and various profession. She was a pioneer sportscaster who labored on the CBS pregame present The NFL Immediately from 1975 till 1984, turning into one of many first ladies to prominently report on sports activities within the U.S. She was additionally a TV host for the leisure present Folks in 1978. She grew to become a co-anchor of CBS Morning Information in 1985.
The Hollywood Reporter shared a 1999 interview between George and USA Immediately about being a pioneer sportscaster. George mentioned, “If you’re the primary, you’re a pioneer. I felt they didn’t know who Phyllis George was. They performed me up as a former Miss America, a intercourse image. I can’t assist how I look, however beneath the floor, I used to be a hard-working girl. If I hadn’t made that work, ladies ultimately would have come into sportscasting, however it will have taken them longer.”
George labored as a sportscaster for the NFL, but in addition coated different sporting occasions, particularly horse racing occasions just like the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
2. George Was a Profitable Entrepreneur Who Based Many Profitable Companies
GettyPhyllis George
Along with her work on tv, George was a profitable entrepreneur with many enterprise ventures. She based the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts and was a serious promotor of Kentucky artists and craftspeople. She additionally employed solely Kentucky craftsmen to renovate the Governor’s Mansion when she lived there because the First Woman of Kentucky.
George based Hen by George, which she ultimately offered to Hormel Meals in 1988. She launched a skincare and cosmetics line known as Phyllis George Magnificence and he or she wrote 5 books. Based on Deadline, she was named Celeb Girls Enterprise Proprietor of the Yr in 1991 by the Nationwide Affiliation of Girls Enterprise Homeowners.
3. George Was a Former Miss Texas & Miss America
George was topped Miss Texas in 1970 and adopted that up by profitable Miss America in 1971, turning into the 50th winner. She remained concerned within the group and served as a member of the Miss America Group’s board. She mentioned the group is vital as a scholarship program and credit it for launching her profession: “It was the springboard to all the things I’ve achieved in my life.”
She mentioned she was initially requested to enter the Miss Texas pageant by the chamber of commerce. On the time, she was Miss Denton Excessive Faculty and a cheerleader in addition to the president of her junior class and a classical pianist. She ended up shedding the primary pageant she entered however says her loss helped her win the next 12 months after which go on to develop into Miss America.
4. George Was Born & Raised in Texas & Was Married Twice
RIP Phyllis George, a pioneering sports activities broadcaster, a former Miss America and the First Woman of Kentucky
She was the primary girl ever on a NFL Broadcast pic.twitter.com/yGmXHypfvu
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) Might 16, 2020
George was born in Denton, Texas, on June 25, 1949. She attended the College of North Texas for 3 years, and after her Miss Texas win in 1970 she attended Texas Christian College, the place she studied classical piano. When she was in her 30s, George was identified with a uncommon blood dysfunction.
She was married twice, first to Hollywood producer Robert Evans from 1977 to 1978, after which to John Y. Brown Jr. from 1979 to 1998. Brown was the proprietor of Kentucky Fried Hen and the Boston Celtics NBA crew. He additionally served because the governor of Kentucky from 1979 to 1983, making George the First Woman of Kentucky. The couple had two kids collectively, Lincoln George Brown and Pamela Ashley Brown.
5. She Has 2 Children From Her Second Marriage, Together with CNN White Home Correspondent Pamela Ashley Brown
George has two children from her second marriage, entrepreneur Lincoln George Brown and Pamela Ashley Brown. Her daughter Pamela is greatest recognized for being a CNN reporter working because the White Home correspondent. Pamela credit her mom as her inspiration and posted a throwback image of the pair, calling them a mother-daughter energy duo.
George was additionally a grandmother. Pamela and her husband Adam Wright have two children collectively, 2-year-old Benny and their daughter Viviene, who was born on February 10 of this 12 months.
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