Ethel Merman - Personal Life

Personal Life

Merman was married and divorced four times:

1. William Smith, theatrical agent (1940–1941)
2. Robert Levitt, a newspaper executive (1941–1952)
3. Robert Six, President, Continental Airlines (1953–1960)
4. Ernest Borgnine, the actor, in 1964. Merman filed for divorce 32 days later.

With Levitt, Merman had two children: Ethel (born July 20, 1942). and Robert Jr. (born August 11, 1945), they divorced in 1952. Ethel Levitt died in 1967 of a drug overdose that was ruled accidental. Her son, Robert, was married to actress Barbara Colby, who, along with her boyfriend (she and Robert were estranged at the time), was shot and killed by apparent gang members for no apparent motive in a parking garage in Los Angeles in 1975.

Merman co-wrote two memoirs, Who Could Ask for Anything More? (1955) and Merman (1978). In a radio interview, Merman commented on her many marriages, saying that "We all make mistakes, that's why they put rubbers on pencils, and that's what I did. I made a few loo-loos!" In the latter book, the chapter entitled "My Marriage to Ernest Borgnine" consists of one blank page.

Merman was notorious for her love of vulgar jokes. She delighted in telling dirty jokes and vulgar stories at public parties. For instance, she once shouted a dirty joke across the room at José Ferrer during a formal reception. Merman also enjoyed sending out greeting cards with obscene jokes in them. Merman was known for swearing during rehearsals and meetings. While rehearsing a guest appearance on The Loretta Young Show, she was told she had to pay $1 each time she swore since Young could not abide foul language. As she was being shoehorned into an ill fitting gown for the next number Merman exclaimed, "Oh shit, this damn thing's too tight." Young advanced on her waving her curse box and said, "Come on Ethel, put a dollar in. You know my rules." Merman's retort reportedly was, "Ah, honey, how much will it cost me to tell you to go fuck yourself?"

Ernest Borgnine told fellow actor Frank Wilson that he spent three weeks of his marriage arguing with Merman. By the end, he recounted how she came back from a film one day and said,"The director said I looked sensational. He said I had the face of a 20 year old, and the body and legs of a 30 year old!", Borgnine replied, "Did he say anything about your old cunt?". "No" replied Ethel, "he didn't mention you at all."

Merman was a lifelong Republican, and during the Dwight D. Eisenhower Administration, she was a frequent guest at The White House. She even appeared at the 1956 Republican National Convention with Jane Powell, Irene Dunne, Wendell Corey, and George Murphy.