Esther Williams, whose success as a competitive swimmer propelled her to Hollywood stardom during the 1940s and 1950s, died Thursday, June 6, in California, according to her spokesman.MGM created ...

The water, Esther Williams once quipped, was her favorite costar. With her beauty, sunny personality and background as a champion swimmer, Williams shot to stardom in the 1940s in the “aqua ...

Esther Williams had almost gone to the Olympics herself. In 1939, she was the reigning American 100-meter freestyle champion. "But, in 1940, the Olympics were canceled because of the war.

Esther Jane Williams grew up destined for a career in athletics. She was born Aug. 8, 1921, in Inglewood, a suburb southwest of Los Angeles, one of five children.

Esther Williams Was Married to Ben Gage for 13 Years. In her personal life, the performer’s young marriage to a medical student she called “dull” ended after four years.

Esther Williams, the swimming champion turned actress who starred in glittering and aquatic Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and ‘50s, has died. (Bob Carey / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 7.