Georgia Frontiere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Georgia Frontiere
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Frontiere in 2006
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| Born |
Violet Frances Irwin
November 21, 1927 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
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| Died | January 18, 2008 (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Education | Soldan High School |
| Occupation |
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| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Francis J. Geiger
(m. 1946; died 1946)Bruce B. Johnson
(m. 1949; div. 1955)Wallace Hayes
(m. 1955; div. 1958)William J. Wyler
(m. 1958; div. 1958)Carroll Rosenbloom
(m. 1966; died 1979)Dominic Frontiere
(m. 1980; div. 1988) |
| Partner(s) | Earle Weatherwax (1989–2008; her death) |
| Children | 2, including Chip Rosenbloom |
| Parent(s) | Lucia Pamela Irwin Reginald Irwin |
Georgia Frontiere (born Violet Frances Irwin; November 21, 1927 – January 18, 2008) was an American businesswoman and entertainer. She was best known as the main owner and chairperson of the St. Louis Rams NFL team.
For almost 30 years (1979–2008), Frontiere led the Rams. During her time, the team reached the playoffs 14 times. They played in 25 postseason games and won 13 of them. The Rams also made it to the Super Bowl three times, winning the championship once in 1999. Her strong dedication to the team earned her the nickname "Madame Ram."
Georgia Frontiere was also a philanthropist, meaning she gave a lot to charity. She started the St. Louis Rams Foundation. She also helped many other groups, like the United Way and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. She supported both the arts and other organizations in St. Louis and beyond.
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Early Life and Education
Georgia Frontiere was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her mother, Lucia Pamela, was a singer and bandleader. Her father, Reginald Irwin, was an insurance salesman.
From a young age, Georgia dreamed of becoming an opera singer. She even traveled to Milan to train for it. By age ten, she performed with her mother and brother in a singing group called the Pamela Trio. They entertained audiences at ballrooms and state fairs.
Frontiere attended Soldan High School in St. Louis. When she was fifteen, her parents divorced. She married a young U.S. Marine who was going to Europe for World War II. This marriage was quickly ended.
A few years later, her family moved to Fresno, California. There, Georgia performed with her mother as the Pamela Sisters. She married her second husband during this time. Sadly, he died in a car accident shortly after they were married.
Starting Her Career
In the early 1950s, Frontiere worked as a secretary for a doctor. She also acted in Fresno's Garrick Little Theatre. She met her third husband there, but they divorced soon after. She then married her fourth husband, a stage manager. They were together for five years before splitting up.
In the late 1950s, Frontiere moved to Miami. She had her own TV interview show there. She also met her fifth husband, a TV producer. They were married for a short time. Later, she appeared on NBC's "Today" show. She also sang in nightclubs in Miami.
While in Miami, Georgia met Carroll Rosenbloom in 1957. He owned the Baltimore Colts at the time. They met at a party hosted by Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.. Rosenbloom and Georgia got engaged in 1960. They married in 1966, after being together for eight years and having two children.
In 1972, Rosenbloom traded ownership of the Baltimore Colts for the Los Angeles Rams. The couple lived in Bel Air, California. Frontiere became a big part of the Los Angeles social scene. She hosted many parties and charity events. She was also known to entertain guests in a special section at the Los Angeles Coliseum called Georgia's Grandstand.
In April 1979, Carroll Rosenbloom died while swimming. Georgia Frontiere then took over the Rams.
Leading an NFL Team
When her husband died, Georgia Frontiere inherited 70% of the Los Angeles Rams. Carroll's five children inherited the other 30%. Many people called her the first female owner of an NFL team. However, the league said she was actually the second. Violet Bidwill Wolfner owned the Chicago Cardinals from 1947 to 1962. Still, during Georgia's time, she was the only active female majority owner in the NFL.
During her years as owner, Frontiere moved the Rams twice. First, they moved from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to Anaheim in 1980. Then, she moved the team to St. Louis in 1995.
Los Angeles Rams Era
At first, some people criticized Frontiere for being a woman in a male-dominated league. They doubted she could run a football team. But Frontiere quickly took charge of the Rams. She told reporters, "There are some who feel there are two different kinds of people — human beings and women."
Her husband's son, Steve Rosenbloom, was expected to lead the team. But Frontiere fired him after four months. She found conflicts between him and the General Manager.
In the 1970s, the Rams were a strong team but never won a championship. Frontiere wanted to bring clear direction to the team. She believed a lack of leadership was holding them back. She told Sports Illustrated, "Right now, we don't have much leadership."
The next season, the Rams finally reached Super Bowl XIV. They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19. After the Super Bowl, Frontiere became more famous. She appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. She also starred in an American Express commercial with Rams players.
By the mid-1980s, Frontiere gave many daily tasks to her executives. She trusted team President John Shaw with football matters. The team still made the playoffs seven times between 1980 and 1989. In 1980, the team moved to Anaheim Stadium. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was old and often had empty seats.
In the early 1990s, the Rams struggled with low attendance. Fan numbers dropped to 45,000 per game from a peak of 62,000. This hurt the team's finances. Frontiere tried to build a new stadium in Los Angeles. But local officials were not interested due to economic problems. This lack of fan support led her to move the team to her hometown of St. Louis.
St. Louis Rams Era
St. Louis offered many benefits, like guaranteed season-ticket sales. They also had a new $280-million Trans World Dome being built. Frontiere moved the team to St. Louis in 1995. As part of the deal, she gave up 40% of her ownership to Stan Kroenke. The NFL first tried to stop the move. But Frontiere threatened to sue the league. The league then approved the move, with Frontiere casting the deciding vote.
Fans in Southern California felt upset. But St. Louis welcomed her warmly. The city had lost its own team, the Cardinals, in 1988. After the move was announced, thousands of fans chanted "Georgia, Georgia!" Frontiere said, "St. Louis is my home, and I brought my team here to start a new dynasty."
The Rams struggled for a few years in their new home. But in the 1999 season, everything changed. The team, led by coach Dick Vermeil and quarterback Kurt Warner, won Super Bowl XXXIV. They defeated the Tennessee Titans. The team was called "the Greatest Show on Turf" because of their high-scoring offense. This victory was a big win for Frontiere.
After the victory, Frontiere shared her feelings. She said her late husband expected her to succeed. She added, "If anybody can, you can. You always stick to your ideas. And nobody pushes you around."
Two years later, the Rams reached the Super Bowl again. In the 2001 season, they played against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. They lost a close game 20–17.
The Rams made the playoffs again in 2003 and 2004. But after key players left, the team struggled again.
When Frontiere died in 2008, her children, Chip Rosenbloom and Lucía Rodríguez, inherited her 60% ownership. In 2010, Stan Kroenke, who was a minority owner, bought the team. The Rams later moved back to Los Angeles after the 2015 NFL season.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Throughout her life, Georgia Frontiere was dedicated to helping others. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said, "Her philanthropic work was legendary and wide ranging."
In 1991, Frontiere donated $1 million to the Fulfillment Fund. This group helps students from less fortunate backgrounds go to college. They offer mentoring and career counseling.
Frontiere also strongly supported the NFL Alumni Association. She fought for older NFL players who retired before 1959. These players did not get the league's pension plan. She also started a "Dire Need Fund" for former players who needed help.
In 1997, Frontiere helped create the St. Louis Rams Foundation. This foundation has given over $7 million to charities in the St. Louis area.
She also loved the arts. In 2000, Frontiere gave $1 million to build the Frontiere Performing Arts Pavilion in Arizona. She also helped produce plays like "Radio Golf."
Frontiere was on the boards of many organizations. These included the United Way, the Saint Louis Symphony, and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
Awards and Recognition
After Georgia Frontiere's death in 2008, the Rams honored her. They renamed their Community Quarterback Awards the Georgia Frontiere Community Quarterback Awards. This program gives money to local non-profits for great volunteer work.
Also in 2008, the Rams teamed up with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. They hosted "Georgia's Drive Fore the Kids," a golf tournament to honor Frontiere and raise money for the hospital.
A street outside the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis is now called "Georgia's Way." This was done to remember her.
Frontiere also received an honorary doctor of philanthropy degree from Pepperdine University.
Personal Life and Passing
Georgia Frontiere married several times during her life. She married her first husband at age 15, but that marriage was quickly ended. Her second husband, Francis J. Geiger, died in a car accident. She later married Bruce B. Johnson, Wallace Hayes, and William J. Wyler.
In 1957, she met Carroll Rosenbloom, who would become her sixth husband. They had two children, Dale "Chip" Rosenbloom and Lucia Rosenbloom Rodriguez, before marrying in 1966. After Carroll's death in 1979, she married composer Dominic Frontiere in 1980. They divorced in 1988, but she kept his last name. For the last 19 years of her life, she was with Earle Weatherwax. She had homes in Malibu, California, St. Louis, and Cornville, Arizona.
Georgia Frontiere was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. She received treatment, but her health quickly worsened. She died at UCLA Medical Center on January 18, 2008, at age 80. Her children released a statement saying, "Our mom was dedicated to being more than the owner of a football team. She loved the Rams' players, coaches and staff. The warmth and generosity she exuded will never be forgotten."
