http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...rdeobit01.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/obituaries/2002413825_hildegardeobit01.html[/url]
The Incomparable Hildegarde, February 16,
1952--around the time of her Statler gig.
The Statler's Hildegarde died at 99 on July 29, 2005. A few choice items from her AP/
Seattle Times obit:
"Born Hildegarde Loretta Sell in Adell, Wis., she was known for 70 years simply as 'The Incomparable Hildegarde,' a title bestowed on her by columnist Walter Winchell."
"'Hildegarde was perhaps the most famous supper-club entertainer who ever lived,' Liberace once said. 'I used to absorb all the things she was doing, all the showmanship she created. It was marvelous to watch her, wearing elegant gowns, surrounded with roses and playing with white gloves on. They used to literally roll out the red carpet for her.'"
"A noted flirt, Hildegarde wore long, white gloves — 'Miss Piggy stole the gloves idea from me,' she once said — and told risque anecdotes while parceling out long-stemmed roses to men in her audience."
"Revlon even introduced a Hildegarde shade of lipstick and nail polish."
"Wise investments and work as a pitchwoman for a bottled-water company, barley vitamins and bathtub device called the PercussOwhirl provided her with a comfortable income through the rock era.