In the twilight of her extraordinary life, Gypsy Rose Lee, the world-famous burlesque star, shared her gratitude for the richness of her existence. "I have lived three wonderful lives," she once confided to her son, Erik Lee Preminger. "Most people never get to live one." Beyond her iconic burlesque performances, Gypsy carved out a diverse career that included appearances in films, authoring books, and even hosting her own daytime talk show. Her life was nothing short of remarkable.
Rose Louise Hovick, born into a challenging childhood, often found herself overshadowed by her younger sister, June, whom their ambitious mother, Rose, groomed for stardom. As Erik Preminger exclusively revealed to Closer, "After [June] left the act, they were stranded in Kansas City." In desperation, Gypsy turned to burlesque, driven by the looming fear of starvation. "That fear of hunger was always in the back of her mind," Erik explained, painting a vivid picture of the struggles that shaped her journey.
Gypsy Rose Lee’s Remarkable Private Life
By the time Erik was born in 1944, the son of famed director Otto Preminger, Gypsy was already a celebrated star both in the U.S. and abroad. Erik's earliest memories include a unique role: collecting straight pins from theater floors where Gypsy performed her legendary striptease. "She pinned her costumes on, and as she took them off, she would remove them pin by pin," he reminisced. Over time, Erik became her trusted dresser, assisting her with rehearsals and even constructing the shadow box she used for costume changes. It was a hands-on education in the world of burlesque.
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Gypsy had a taste for luxury, purchasing a Rolls-Royce in London in 1951, which she used to transport herself, young Erik, and their collection of pets across Europe and North Africa. "One time, we were caught in a snowstorm on Simplon Pass between Switzerland and Italy," Erik recounted. "We got stuck with only a quarter tank of gas. She tried digging us out using the cat's litter box, but there was nothing she could do." Luckily, a passerby rescued them just in time. "We had a life full of adventure," Erik fondly remembered.
Though demanding as a performer, Gypsy was surprisingly down-to-earth offstage. "There was this aristocratic side to her that expected things to be done a certain way," Erik admitted. Yet, she had a softer side too. "She loved to crochet, made quilts, cooked, and gardened," he said. "All things that were very normal." This balance between glamour and simplicity made her even more endearing.
Gypsy instilled in Erik a love for lifelong learning. "She was self-educated and very well-read," he explained. "She was a wonderful storyteller with a sharp wit. She was just so smart. It was a little daunting because I never felt I could keep up with her intellect." Her influence shaped Erik into the man he became.
This fall, a Broadway revival of Gypsy, the musical inspired by her 1957 memoir, will feature Audra McDonald as Mama Rose. "It's very exciting," Erik said, praising it as a "fabulous musical" that captures the essence of his larger-than-life family. "You've heard the expression a Renaissance man," he added. "My mother was a Renaissance woman." Her legacy continues to inspire.
