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While a bevy of slinky ladies clamored for golden-age-Hollywood stardom, Esther Williams was in the pool, training to be an Olympic swimmer. But when World War II dashed those dreams, Williams became a movie mega-star, ruling the box office during the 1940s and '50s. (Her signature hit, appropriately, was Million Dollar Mermaid.) A true competitive spirit, Williams went on to launch a swimwear line (you can buy the retro-fab styles at Modcloth), and her films helped galvanize synchronized swimming's place in the worlds of sports and culture. Williams died yesterday in her sleep at her Beverly Hills home at the age of 91. We salute her—and will always love these gorgeous so-Esther shots:
Esther in 1921:
With Tom and Jerry in Dangerous When Wet,1953:
A classic portrait:
With her sons, Benjamin and Kimball, in Las Vegas:
And a pic I just want to make my visual mantra for all time—ultra-luxe waterskiing in the film Easy to Love, 1953:
Rest in peace, Esther.
