Dolores Hope: Difference between revisions
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==Early life and career== |
==Early life and career== |
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She was born as '''Dolores DeFina''' in [[New York City]] of [[Italian people|Italian]] and [[Irish people|Irish]] descent and raised in the [[Bronx]]. After the death of her father, her mother, Theresa |
She was born as '''Dolores DeFina''' in [[New York City]] of [[Italian people|Italian]] and [[Irish people|Irish]] descent and raised in the [[Bronx]]. After the death of her father, she was raised by her mother, Theresa. |
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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). |
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). |
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Revision as of 17:09, 28 February 2011
Dolores Hope | |
|---|---|
| File:Hope-Dolores44.jpg | |
| Born | Dolores DeFina May 27, 1909 |
| Occupation | Singer/Philanthropist |
| Years active | 1929–present |
| Spouse | Bob Hope (1934–2003) |
| Children | Eleanora, Linda, Kelly, and Anthony (died 2004)[1] |
Dolores Hope, DC*SG (born May 27, 1909) is an American singer, philanthropist and the widow of actor Bob Hope.
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, she was raised by her mother, Theresa.
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.
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 Dolores lost eldest son, Anthony Hope, who died at the age of 63, and who was father to two of the Hope grandchildren, Miranda of Washington and Zachary of Santa Monica.[1] On May 27, 2009, Dolores Hope became a centenarian herself, and her birthday was featured on The Today Show, with her son saying in an ABC interview, "I think of her as love."[3] On May 29, 2010, Mrs. Hope was quoted as saying to local press, of her 101st birthday, "I’m still recovering from my 100th birthday bash, so I’m going to keep this year’s celebration much quieter.”
Dolores Hope is an Honorary Board Member of the humanitarian organization Wings of Hope.
Health
On October 21, 2008, she was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California after suffering a suspected stroke. Her publicist released a statement indicating that she spent less than four hours at the hospital where she underwent routine testing.[4]
Honors
Dolores Hope has received numerous honors during her lifetime.
Religious
- Dame of St. Gregory with Star (one of a very select few women named Dame of St. Gregory with Star)
- 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
- Terence Cardinal Cooke Humanitarian Award from Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center
- Patronal Medal from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and The Catholic University of America
Secular
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star for her contributions to live theatre
- A street named after her in The Bronx (her hometown)
- A permanent installation of the Tree Peony Collection bearing her name
- Chancellor Medal from the University of California, Riverside
- Winnie Palmer Humanitarian Award (from the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association)
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
- ^ "Dolores Hope Celebrates Her 100th" KABC Los Angeles. May 28, 2009.
- ^ Report on Dolores Hope's health scare in 2008