Let me tell you a story about a time when the world was a darker place, and a Hollywood star named Betty Grable stepped up to bring a little light into the lives of American servicemen during World War II. Back then, a simple pinup poster of Betty, wearing a white one-piece bathing suit and flashing a playful smile over her shoulder, became a cherished reminder of home for soldiers stationed far and wide. Her legs were so famous that her movie studio once insured them for a cool $1 million. Can you imagine?
Betty never let her fame go to her head, but she always felt honored that her image meant so much to the troops. According to her daughter, Victoria Colucci, Betty saw herself as more than just a dancer who could act. In fact, Victoria tells Closer exclusively that Betty considered one of her greatest achievements to be the joy she brought to soldiers during such a tough time. It wasn’t about the glamour or the money—it was about making a difference.
Now, let’s go back to the beginning. Betty Grable, born Elizabeth Grable in St. Louis, didn’t exactly choose the spotlight—it kind of chose her. Her mother pushed her into the entertainment world after the family lost everything in the Great Depression. “My grandfather was a stockbroker,” recalls Victoria, explaining how the financial crash sent the family into a tailspin. Her grandmother, determined to give her daughters a better life, moved them to California and enrolled Betty in singing and tap dancing lessons, setting the stage for her future in Hollywood.
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But Betty’s rise to fame wasn’t overnight. In 1936, she appeared in Pigskin Parade, where her performance was overshadowed by a young newcomer named Judy Garland. Still, Betty kept going. She switched studios, married and divorced actor Jackie Coogan, and finally hit it big with Down Argentine Way in 1940. That’s when everything changed for her.
A Star for the Troops
By the late 1940s, Betty had become one of Hollywood’s highest-paid female stars. But here’s the thing: the musicals that made her famous don’t always hold up today. When people think of Betty now, they often remember her for something far more meaningful—her role in boosting morale during World War II. Her pinup posters were a source of comfort for countless soldiers, a reminder of the lives they were fighting to protect.
And Betty embraced that role wholeheartedly. “She would get letters from soldiers and she’d reply,” Victoria says. “She was proud to help light up the world when it was so dark.” For Betty, it wasn’t just about being a star—it was about making a real difference in people’s lives. And that’s a legacy worth remembering.
