Dolores Hope
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| Dolores Hope | |
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 Dolores Hope on a 1944 USO tour with husband Bob Hope |
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| Born | Dolores DeFina May 27, 1909 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Singer/Philanthropist |
| Years active | 1929–present |
| Spouse(s) | Bob Hope (1934–2003) |
| Children | Eleanora, Linda, Kelly, and Anthony (died 2004)[1] |
Dolores Hope (born May 27, 1909) is a singer, philanthropist and the widow of actor Bob Hope.
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[edit] Early life and career
She was born as Dolores DeFina in New York City of Italian and Irish descent and raised in the Bronx. After the death of her father, her mother Theresa DeFina raised her alone.
During the 1930s, she began her professional singing career under the name Dolores Reade on the advice of her agent. In 1933, after appearing at the Vogue Club, a Manhattan nightclub, Reade was introduced to Bob Hope. The couple were married on February 19, 1934 in Erie, Pennsylvania. They later adopted four children from The Cradle in Evanston, Illinois: Eleanora, Linda, Kelly and Anthony (d. 2004).
In the 1940s, Dolores began helping Bob on his tours entertaining U.S. troops overseas and she would continue to do so for over 50 years. In 1990, she was the only female entertainer allowed to perform in Saudi Arabia.
At 83 she recorded her first CD, Dolores Hope: Now and Then. She followed this with three additional albums and also recorded a Christmas CD with Bob entitled Hopes for the Holidays.
[edit] Later years
On May 29, 2003, Dolores was at her husband's side as he celebrated his 100th birthday; he died two months later on July 27, 2003.[2] The following year their son, Anthony J. Hope, died at the age of 63 on June 28, 2004.[1] On May 27, 2009, Dolores Hope became a centenarian herself, and her birthday was featured on The Today Show.
[edit] Health
On October 21, 2008, she was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California after suffering a suspected stroke. In a statement released by her publicist, Dolores Hope spent less than four hours at the hospital where she underwent routine testing.[3]
[edit] Honors
Dolores Hope has received several honors during her lifetime, including:
- A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to live theatre.
- A street named after her in the Bronx
- A permanent installation of the Tree Peony Collection bearing her name.
- 7 Honorary Doctorates
- The President's Medal from Loyola College in Baltimore.
- The Outstanding Catholic Laywoman Award from St. Louis University
- The Elizabeth Seton Medal Award from Seton Hall College
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Anthony J. Hope, 63, Head Of Panel and Bob Hope's Son" The New York Times. July 2, 2004.
- ^ "Bob Hope dead at 100" July 29, 2003, CNN
- ^ Report on Dolores Hope's health scare in 2008
