Esther Williams

I remember when I first walked into Mayer's cavernous office. You had to walk 50 yards to get to him, and in that time he could really study everything about you.

Critics established a snobbery toward me.

I gave my eardrums to MGM. And it's true: I really did.

I was 15, and the years of hard swimming had packed muscle on my frame and made me very strong. Not as strong as a football player, but strong enough to inflict heavy damage.

It appeared as if I had invited the audience into the water with me, and it conveyed the sensation that being in there was absolutely delicious.

I think it's so funny when people think they can't control a movie star. They can. We're just women, you know.

Widowhood had done nothing to curb my smart mouth. So much for diplomacy.

When you're out of sight for as long as I was, there's a funny feeling of betrayal that comes over people when they see you again.

The wisdom acquired with the passage of time is a useless gift unless you share it.

I was the only swimmer in movies. Tarzan was long gone, and he couldn't have done them anyway; he could never have gotten into my bathing suit.

Marriage to Fernando offered shelter and security, but the shackle was the price I'd pay.