BeBe Shopp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
BeBe Shopp
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Beatrice Bella Shopp
August 17, 1930 |
| Alma mater | Manhattan School of Music |
| Title | Miss Minnesota 1948 Miss America 1948 |
| Predecessor | Barbara Jo Walker |
| Successor | Jacque Mercer |
| Spouse(s) |
Bayard D. Waring
(m. 1954; died 2022) |
| Children | 4 |
Beatrice Bella "BeBe" Shopp (born August 17, 1930) is an American woman who became famous for winning the Miss America 1948 pageant. She was born in Hopkins, Minnesota. BeBe Shopp was chosen as Miss America when she was 18 years old.
Life After Miss America
After winning the Miss America title in 1948, BeBe Shopp used her scholarship money to go to college. She attended the Manhattan School of Music. There, she studied percussion and became very good at playing the vibraharp. She earned her degree in 1952.
BeBe also loved to sing. She performed with groups like Share the Music and the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus. She was very involved in her local community. She even led the board of directors for the Gloucester Stage Company. This is a theater group that puts on plays.
During her time as Miss America, BeBe traveled a lot. She was asked about fashion trends, like two-piece swimsuits. She shared her opinion that she did not approve of them for American girls.
Her Family and Later Life
In 1954, BeBe Shopp married Bayard D. Waring. He was a navigator during the Korean War. Together, they had four daughters.
As of 2000, BeBe lives in Rockport, Massachusetts. She is known by her married name, Beatrice "Bea" Waring. She has also served as a lay minister in the Episcopal Church. A lay minister is someone who helps lead church services but is not a priest. She also worked as a TV spokeswoman for a company that made electric scooters.
As of January 2025, BeBe Shopp is the oldest living former Miss America winner.
