Betty Grable
Her million-dollar legs became the most famous insurance policy in history and a defining morale booster for American troops during World War II.
1916–1973 (age 57)·American actress and pin-up girl·Birthday: December 18·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Betty Grable was a force of nature who defined the term 'star' in the golden age of Hollywood musicals. Born in St. Louis, she was pushed into show business by a determined mother and found early work as a chorus girl before landing a contract with 20th Century Fox. It was during the war years that she became a true phenomenon, her sunny smile and buoyant screen presence offering a perfect escape. The iconic pin-up photo of her looking over her shoulder in a white swimsuit turned her into a symbol of the girl back home, and her legs were famously insured by her studio for a staggering sum. Grable wasn't just a picture; she was a workhorse, headlining a string of Technicolor musicals with co-stars like Dan Dailey and Harry James, whom she married. Her box-office power was immense, making her the highest-paid woman in America for years, a testament to her direct connection with audiences who found pure, uncomplicated joy in her performances.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Betty was born in 1916, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Betty Was Born
The biggest hits of 1916
#1 Movie
Intolerance
Betty's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1916Born
The Battle of the Somme claims over a million casualties
President: Woodrow Wilson
1921Started school
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1929Became a teenager
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1932Could drive
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1934Could vote
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1937Turned 21
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1946Turned 30
United Nations holds its first General Assembly
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $5,150Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Prisoner of Love" — Perry ComoBest Picture: The Best Years of Our Lives
1956Turned 40
Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $10,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: Around the World in 80 Days
1966Turned 50
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1973Died at 57
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
Key Achievements
- Ranked among the top 10 box office stars for 10 consecutive years from 1942 to 1951.
- Her films grossed over $100 million during the 1930s and 1940s.
- Was listed by the U.S. Treasury as the highest-salaried American woman in both 1946 and 1947.
- Her iconic pin-up photo was one of the most popular images among American servicemen in WWII.
Did You Know?
Her legs were insured by Lloyd's of London for $1,000,000.
She was originally cast as the female lead in 'How to Marry a Millionaire,' but the role went to Marilyn Monroe.
She was an accomplished tap dancer.
She married bandleader Harry James in 1943; their tumultuous marriage lasted 22 years.
“I'm strictly an enlisted man's girl.”
