Phyllis George

American businesswoman, actress, and sportscaster (1949-2020)

Phyllis Ann George (June 25, 1949 – May 14, 2020) was an American businesswoman, former sportscaster and former Miss America. She was Miss America 1971.[1] From 1979 to 1983 she was the First Lady of the U.S. state of Kentucky.

Phyllis George
Phyllis George signing autographs at the Miss America 2008 pageant
First Lady of Kentucky
In role
December 11, 1979 – December 13, 1983
GovernorJohn Y. Brown Jr.
Preceded byCharlann Harting Carroll
Succeeded byBill Collins
Miss America 1971
Miss Texas 1970
Preceded byPamela Eldred
Succeeded byLaurie Lea Schaefer
Personal details
Born
Phyllis Ann George

(1949-06-25)June 25, 1949
Denton, Texas, U.S.
DiedMay 14, 2020(2020-05-14) (aged 70)
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Cause of deathBlood cancer
NationalityAmerican
Spouse(s)
(m. 1977; div. 1978)

(m. 1979; div. 1998)
Children2
Alma materUniversity of North Texas
Texas Christian University
OccupationSportscaster, actress

In August 1971, George traveled to Vietnam with several other contestants from the Miss America 1971 pageant. George and the other contestants participated in a 22-day United Service Organizations tour for American troops there.[2]

In 1985, CBS chose George to be the permanent presenter for its morning news program, CBS Morning News. She interviewed a number of news makers, including then-First Lady Nancy Reagan.

In 2003, George created the company Phyllis George Beauty. The company markets a line of cosmetics and skincare products through the television network the Home Shopping Network. She appeared in the comedy movie Meet the Fockers.

George was born in Denton, Texas. She died of problems caused by a blood cancer in Lexington, Kentucky on May 14, 2020 at the age of 70.[3]

References

change
  1. "Phyllis George". Texasw Monthly. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  2. "Photographs by Paul Cauley". Paul Cauley. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  3. Phyllis George, former Kentucky first lady and a pioneer in sports broadcasting, dies