Born Angeline Brown, she moved to California after her family left North Dakota in 1942, aged 11.

A young beauty contest winner, Angie won the Sixth Annual Bill of Rights Contest while a senior at Burbank’s Bellamarine Jefferson High.

It was her success in beauty contests that made her give up her childhood dreams of becoming a writer. After college, she worked as a secretary for Burbank Airplane Parts Factory for several years.

Angie acquired her professional name Angie Dickinson when she married the college football star, Gene Dickinson. From 1966 to 1980 however, she was to be married to composer Burt Bacharach.

In 1953, she entered the local Miss America contest, one day before the deadline, and took 2nd place. In A ..[Full version]