Dorothy Mengering facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dorothy Mengering
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| Born |
Dorothy Marie Hofert
July 18, 1921 Linton, Indiana, U.S.
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| Died | April 11, 2017 (aged 95) Carmel, Indiana, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Indiana University Bloomington |
| Occupation | Television personality |
| Television | Late Night with David Letterman Late Show with David Letterman |
| Spouse(s) |
Harry Letterman
(m. 1942; died 1973)Hans Mengering
(m. 1983; died 2013) |
| Children | 3; including David Letterman |
Dorothy Marie Mengering (born July 18, 1921 – died April 11, 2017) was famous as "Dave's Mom." She was the mother of TV host David Letterman. She often appeared on his TV shows, Late Night and Late Show.
Dorothy first appeared on TV in 1986. Later, she became a regular guest on the Late Show. She was often called "Dave's Mom Dorothy." Her first big role was covering the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. She lived in Carmel, Indiana, when she passed away.
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About Dorothy Mengering's Life
Dorothy Marie Hofert was born in Linton, Indiana. She was the oldest child of Lena and Earl Hofert. Her grandparents on her mother's side came from Germany. Dorothy also had a younger brother, Earl Jr., and a sister, Hazel.
Dorothy went to Indiana University for a year. In 1942, she married Harry Joseph Letterman. They had three children: Jan, David, and Gretchen. While raising her kids, she helped her husband, who was a florist. She also worked as a secretary at her church. Harry passed away in 1973.
In 1983, Dorothy married Hans Mengering. He was a retired engineer and a World War II veteran. Hans passed away in 2013.
Dorothy's TV Appearances on Late Night
Dorothy Mengering made her first TV appearance on Late Night with David Letterman in 1986. This was for a special "Parents' Day" show. On this show, David convinced her to yell out a window with a bullhorn.
Starting in 1990, David would sometimes call his mom during the show. Dorothy always called her son "David." She would patiently answer his questions. She also played along with his ideas, even if they were silly.
David's phone calls often involved Dorothy reviewing a movie or a TV show. She would also share a recipe or talk about recent events. Once, she even gave a "Top Ten" list of things in her refrigerator.
Dorothy's TV Appearances on The Late Show
Reporting from the Olympics
Dorothy's first time on camera for The Late Show was in 1994. She reported nightly from the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. Right before her TV debut, she fell and got a black eye. So, she wore a lot of makeup for her appearances.
While in Lillehammer, she interviewed famous people. She talked to Hillary Clinton and asked if her husband could help with David's speeding tickets. She also spoke with Nancy Kerrigan, offering her hot cocoa. Dorothy also interviewed other Olympic athletes, like gold medalist Tommy Moe.
Dorothy returned as an Olympic reporter for the 1998 and 2002 Games. She covered the events in Nagano, Japan, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Other Memorable Appearances
After 1994, Dorothy appeared on the show several times each year. She made yearly appearances around Thanksgiving. She would call in from her home in Indiana for a segment called "Guess Mom's Pies."
She also appeared regularly a few days before Mother's Day. Sometimes, she would visit the show in person on her birthday. In 1995, she traveled to London to film special segments for The Late Show. These segments aired later that year.
Dorothy Mengering's Final Years
In 2015, Dorothy Mengering had a health issue, but she recovered months later. She passed away on April 11, 2017. She was 95 years old and died peacefully at her home in Carmel, Indiana. Her passing was just one day before her son David Letterman's 70th birthday.
Dorothy's Own Words
Dorothy once said about her TV appearances: "The positive response to my appearances on David's show has nothing to do with my amateur abilities as a broadcaster. People enjoy seeing a mother and son together. It's that simple."
