Bastard Queen: A Family Secret Revealed

by Dorothy Benham

Overview

The Bastard Queen: A Family Secret Revealed is a story of secrets, acceptance, and forgiveness. This is my life. A life I felt never needed to be written about because through my eyes was rather uneventful. I'd been awarded and achieved goals that not many people get to experience but chalked it up to luck and the hard work given to my vocal studies. Those moments have been documented in writing and photos for the history books. Child model, Homecoming Queen, featured guest artist on stage and television, Miss America, Broadway, etc. I had a gift in the field of the arts and mother tried to cultivate those talents. I know she sacrificed to give me those opportunities and for that I am appreciative. But what happens when the life you've lived becomes turned on its side, upside down, or does a dizzying full circle and you learn a secret has been kept from you? Was it out of love and to protect me? Was it to not bring shame upon the family? Was there ever an agreement to share the truth with me when I reached a certain age in adulthood? Mother never had the courage to tell me and she outlived ALMOST everyone who knew the truth. I feel she was ashamed and that late in life...what did it matter? Well, it matters to me. My children and my grandchildren deserve to know their history too.

Dorothy Benham

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781956216004
Publisher:	Briton Publishing LLC
Publication date:	09/01/2021
Pages:	178
Sales rank:	536,271
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.01(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Dorothy Benham, Miss America 1977, is a classically trained lyric-coloratura soprano having performed in concert with Symphony Orchestras, Opera companies, and an original cast member of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway show "Jerome Robbins' Broadway" where she was featured as the "Somewhere" soloist and part of the ensemble. She sang the National Anthem for the 1979 World Series games in Pittsburgh, PA., and at a fundraiser for President Reagan, then for the Sammy Davis Jr. Celebrity Dinner. In 1976 Dorothy was the featured half time performer at the Liberty Bowl. She performed with Bob Hope and Doc Severinsen, and was chosen by Peter Schickele (aka PDQ Bach) as the soprano for his composer showcase at the Lincoln Center in NYC. She has been a frequent guest soloist on "The Hour of Power" in Garden Grove, California, and was honored to sing for their final Christmas Eve Service 2012 and then again for the final Sunday worship service at the Crystal Cathedral June 30th, 2013.Following her year as Miss America, Dorothy not only was a featured performer, co-host and judge of the Miss America Pageant, but worked extensively in television and radio as a spokesperson for a variety of companies.Dorothy's USO work began with the Miss America USO Troupe performing for our Servicemen in Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Guam. In 1981 she was the Host and performer for the USO's 40th Anniversary Celebration in Stuttgart, Germany. Then along with Brooke Shields and the USO performed aboard the USS John F. Kennedy at the 1986 Statue of Liberty Bi-Centennial Celebration for President and Mrs. Reagan. Dorothy is the proud mother of six children and seven grandchildren.