Jolie Gabor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jolie Gabor
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| Countess de Szigethy | |
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| Born | Janka Tilleman September 30, 1896 Budapest, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | April 1, 1997 (aged 100) Palm Springs, California, U.S. |
| Buried | Desert Memorial Park |
| Spouse(s) |
Vilmos Gábor
(m. 1914; div. 1939)Howard Peter Christman
(m. 1947; div. 1948)Count Odon Szigethy
(m. 1957; died 1989) |
| Issue | Magda, Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor |
| Occupation | Jeweler, businesswoman, socialite, writer |
Jolie Gabor (born Janka Tilleman; September 30, 1896 – April 1, 1997) was a famous jeweler and socialite. She was born in Hungary and later became an American citizen. Jolie was well-known as the mother of three famous actresses: Magda, Zsa Zsa, and Eva Gabor.
Contents
Jolie's Early Life and Family
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Jolie Gabor was born Janka Tilleman on September 30, 1896. Her birthplace was Budapest, which was then part of Austria-Hungary. Her parents were Jona Hersch Tilleman and Franceska Chawe Feige Tilleman. Both of Jolie's parents had Jewish family roots from a region called Galicia.
Jolie's family had a history in the jewelry business. Her parents owned a jewelry shop in Budapest called "The Diamond House." Her mother's family, the Reinharz family, also had jewelry shops in Vienna. Jolie's mother's uncle helped the Tillemans start their business.
Jolie was one of five children who survived childhood. She had three sisters named Dóra, Eugénia, and Rozália, and one brother named Sebestyén. Sadly, another sister, Sydonia, died shortly after birth.
Her Birth Name and Age
Jolie Gabor often joked about her birth name and age. She said her parents wanted a son so much that they named her Jancsi. This name means "Little John" or "Johnny" in Hungarian. However, her birth certificate shows her name was "Janka," which can be a name for both boys and girls.
Jolie also liked to keep people guessing about her age. She sometimes said she was born in 1900, even though her birth certificate confirms she was born in 1896. She once joked that she had lied so much about her age that she couldn't remember her real birth date!
Starting a Business
In the 1930s, Jolie Gabor became a successful businesswoman in Budapest. She opened a shop called Crystello, which sold beautiful crystal and porcelain items. She also started her own jewelry shop called Jolie's. This shop sold handmade costume jewelry.
Jolie's jewelry was known for its unique, old-fashioned designs and careful craftsmanship. She was very proud of her success. She once said, "Just like Bulgari is known in Rome, that's how well-known I was in Budapest." Her shops were so popular that people would wait in line outside to get in.
Challenges During World War II
The rise of Nazism in Germany made things difficult for Jolie's business. She had to stop traveling to Germany for jewelry supplies. When Hungary was taken over by the Germans, she was forced to close her stores.
Jolie and some of her family members fled to Portugal to escape the war. They received help from Carlos Sampaio Garrido, who was the Portuguese ambassador to Hungary. He helped many Hungarian Jews find safe passage during 1944. Sadly, Jolie's brother, Sebestyén, and their mother, Franceska, died during a bombing raid in Budapest.
Life in America
Jolie Gabor arrived in the United States on December 30, 1945, when she was 49 years old. She quickly started a new jewelry business in New York City in 1946. She borrowed $7,200 from her daughters to get started. Her shop, simply called Jolie Gabor, became very successful. She later opened another branch in Palm Springs, California.
Her daughter Magda even helped design some of the jewelry. One interesting product her store introduced in 1953 was ornamental metal fingernails decorated with rhinestones!
In 1975, when she was almost 80, Jolie became an inspirational speaker. She traveled around the country, talking about how beauty and confidence can empower women.
Television Appearances
Jolie Gabor also made a few appearances on television shows:
- In 1957, she was a mystery guest on the show What's My Line?
- She had a small role as a jeweler in the film Black Jack in 1950.
- She appeared on The Colgate Comedy Hour in 1955.
- In 1960, she was a guest on The Mike Wallace Interview.
Jolie's Marriages
Jolie Gabor was married three times:
- Vilmos Gábor: She married Vilmos Gábor in 1914. He was a Hungarian army officer. They divorced in 1939. Vilmos was the father of her three daughters: Magda, Zsa Zsa, and Eva.
- Howard Peter Christman: She married Howard Peter Christman in 1947. He was a restaurant manager in New York City. They divorced in 1948.
- Count Odon Szigethy: Her third marriage was to Count Odon Szigethy in 1957. He was a Hungarian refugee. Jolie often spoke highly of him, saying he took good care of her and her businesses.
Her Final Years
Jolie Gabor lived a very long life. She died on April 1, 1997, in Palm Springs, California, at the age of 100. She passed away less than two years after her youngest daughter, Eva, died. It is believed that Jolie was never told about Eva's death.
Two months after Jolie's passing, her oldest daughter, Magda, also died. Her daughter Zsa Zsa lived until 2016, reaching the age of 99. Jolie Gabor is buried in Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California.
Images for kids
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Jolie Gabor
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Jolie Gabor's birth record
See also
In Spanish: Jolie Gabor para niños
