Hungarian-born actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor has died at the age of 99.
The Hollywood star, famed for her luxurious taste, glamorous sense of style, larger-than-life personality and string of high-profile marriages to wealthy men, passed away at her home in Los Angeles. She would have turned 100 in February.
Of ‘dah-ling’ Gabor’s 99 years, 60 were spent in Hollywood, starring in the likes of Moulin Rouge, Queen of Outer Space and The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear; unsurprisingly, she became something of a cult figure to film fans all over the world.
However her glittering career was somewhat overshadowed by the public’s interest in her personal life. Over the years, she has married nine times (though she only counted eight and a half), with her husbands including the likes of Barbie doll creator Jack Ryan and Conrad Hilton, with whom she shared her only daughter, Francesca.
Her last marriage was her longest lasting: she tied the knot with Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt in 1986, and her husband of 30 years was there to hold her hand as she slipped away.
Penchant for wealthy husbands aside, however, Gabor firmly cemented her place in the public’s hearts with her badass attitude to life. The former Miss Hungary never failed to speak her mind – particularly when it came to matters of men, love and striving for independence.
Here, we take a look back at some of the late legend's most memorable quotes…
Images: Rex Pictures
On financial independence:
“I pay all my own bills. I want to choose the man. I do not permit men to choose me.”
On staying true to yourself:
“I never really mind what people say about me — I am far too unconventional and far too dedicated to being true to myself to let other people's disdain or nastiness upset me for long.”
On the joys of being single:
“When I'm alone, I can sleep crossways in bed without an argument.”
On love:
“Love should be an inspiration, not an obligation.”
On how to deal with stress:
“When in trouble, take a bath and wash your hair.”
On the sisterhood:
“Being jealous of a beautiful woman is not going to make you more beautiful.”
On refusing to give in to ultimatums:
“My husband said it was him or the cat. I miss him sometimes.”
On being a career girl:
“There's no better money to spend than your own.”
On seeing the world:
“The only way to learn a language properly, in fact, is to marry a man of that nationality. You get what they call in Europe a 'sleeping dictionary.' Of course, I have only been married five times, and I speak seven languages. I'm still trying to remember where I picked up the other two.”
On owning her sex life:
“The women's movement hasn't changed my sex life. It wouldn't dare.”
On refusing to conform:
“I tell you, in this world being a little crazy helps to keep you sane.”
On narrow beauty standards:
“Any woman who diets all the time can't help but be grouchy. Nobody can be amusing or entertaining on a diet.”
On property management (sort of):
“I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house.”
On dating:
“Love should be an inspiration, not an obligation.”
On the power of positive thinking:
“All my life, I have been a positive thinker… I have always been able to survive by telling myself that no matter how bad things are, they will one day be better. And that out of every event – no matter how tragic – one can always find a way to survive and even, perhaps, to be a little bit happy.”
On what's really important:
“What is really important for a woman, you know, even more than being beautiful or intelligent, is to be entertaining.”
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