Fabulous Moolah, the Legendary Pro Wrestling Female Champion, Dies
The Fabulous Moolah, the female professional wrestler who held the record for the longest title reign by any professional athlete passed away on November 2nd. Real name, Mary Lillian Ellison, Moolah started her career in the late 1940s after spending her teen years watching and idolizing the legendary female wrestler of the time, Mildred Burke. After Mildred Burke’s career ended in the mid-1950s, the Fabulous Moolah quickly established herself as the heir to Mildred’s wrestling throne.
Moolah’s fame grew and she quickly befriended other famous celebrities of her time including Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. As her fame grew, Moolah opened a women’s wrestling school that taught such future wrestling stars as Lady Angel. After June Byers retired in 1964, Moolah was recognized as the NWA Champion and the undisputed Women’s World Champion. Though many came to take the title, she always was able to retain it or regain it within weeks.
The Fabulous Moolah’s career was extensive and amazing. She met and accomplished so much throughout the rollercoaster career of a female professional wrestler. Though the industry changed in many ways over the course of the last 60 years, she managed to hold on and become a celebrity and mentor to hundreds of other women. She passed away in Columbia, South Carolina. She left behind her daughter and six grandchildren.
Read more about The Fabulous Moolah’s life in The NY Times.