RIP Fabulous Moolah
We’re late but heartbroken:
Mary Lillian Ellison, whose flying drop kicks, flying head scissors and hair-pulling “flying mare” body slams brought her renown as the professional wrestler the Fabulous Moolah, died Friday in Lexington, S.C., near her home in Columbia. She was 84.
She died at a hospital after shoulder replacement surgery and might have had a heart attack or a blood clot, said her daughter, Maryetta Austin.
Moolah was women’s wrestling champ for 28 years or so. A farmgirl who found wrestling a way to make a name for herself and find a place in the world, she was a champion in every sense of the word. She won the women’s championship for the last time at age 76. She did a job when she was 80 (above). Indisputably the greatest female wrestler of all time, she came up in the time when a woman in a singlet was expected to put on a show with grit, determination and fighting spirit, not just silicon, and held her own against anyone.
She was an inspiration. Some great pics and info here.
11/6/07 at 8:29 am
RIP Moolah.
Mae Young has said that she’ll wrestle at age 100 and I don’t think anyone doubts her.
11/6/07 at 8:53 am
Eww no more pictures
11/6/07 at 9:45 am
I remember her from the 80s WWF Cartoons. She was great on that, for sure. I was too young to see her in the ring, really.
You’re right, though. A pioneer. I’m sure people who think wrestling is silly will think that comment silly, but it’s important for women to break in everywhere… and Moolah wanted to be THERE and she made her way THERE so bully for her for doing what she wanted to do and rocking it.
11/6/07 at 10:06 am
Thats really sad.
Moolah was a legend, and will be missed.
11/6/07 at 10:22 am
Moolah was one of the people featured in the movie “Lipstick and Dynamite,” which is all about women wrestlers in the 50s and 60s.
11/6/07 at 12:08 pm
Moolah was wonderful. Right on, Heidi.
11/6/07 at 2:45 pm
I am surprised that with all the abuse she heaped on her body even wrestling into her 70ss, that she lived as long as she did and as healthily as she did.
11/6/07 at 3:23 pm
Back when I was at Moondog’s as Marketing Director we sold a VHS tape of the Best of Classic Wrestling. It showcased scratchy black and white vintage footage from the 40s,50s, and 60s. The Fabulous Moolah was a featured star on that tape.
I remember it was narrated by an announcer with deep southern drawl so thick I could barely understand a word he was saying. But man, could that lady rassle!
It’s my understanding that when WWE initiated its current program of incorporating the Legends of Wrestling into their current slate of programming that Moolah was one of the most active of on the roster.
She was represented on the toy shelves with an action figure as recently as last spring. She was clearly a favorite of the McMahon family.
A genuine popular culture icon!
11/6/07 at 4:33 pm
I grew up watching Moolah and always enjoyed watching her work. And I remember how amazing it was to see her in the ring at 80 years old.
I hope people will remember her as much for how tough she was as how professional she was.
I’ll miss you Moolah
11/7/07 at 1:38 pm
[…] RIP Fabulous Moolah from THE BEAT […]
11/28/07 at 3:09 pm
nana i miss you and i wish you came back i hope you are all right up there in heaven with uncle chip i love you and miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11/28/07 at 3:14 pm
you were a great mother and i miss you so much if there was any thing i could say to right now it would be I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11/28/07 at 4:58 pm
NANA I LOVE U WITH ALL MY HEART U BEEN THERE FOR THROUGH THE HARDEST TIMES !!!!! I LOVE U SOOOOO MUCH
11/28/07 at 5:05 pm
hey nana i miss you ssssssssssoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much and i wish i could still tell you that!
11/28/07 at 5:11 pm
hey nana i love you and i wish i could talk to you i could not belive that you passed away i was just like that well i still love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so so so so so so so so so so so so much and i will never forget you !!
12/2/07 at 4:10 pm
well people shes gone to a better place.