It was related to me as if it were a second-hand story. Could have been third, fourth, or fifth-hand but I didn’t question that part. Or the story itself becaue it was amusing even as I didn’t doubted its credibility. Only much later I had to acknowledge that I’d never known the storyteller to make up or embellish stories. Later still I nailed down two critical components as absolutely true; so, the rest of it may be true as well.
The Photo:
For some time after WWII (and possibly before then), Hayes had been a California small-time home builder/real estate developer. Then in the mid to late 1950s, he expanded his business and branched out into Beverly Hills/Hollywood social circles. This culminated in his engagement to Zsa Zas Gabor.
He didn’t end up becoming her fourth husband. The tabloids and gossip columnists seem not to have followed up on this public engagement and nothing further was reported on the relationship.
Not too long after the engagement was publicized, Hayes skipped the country. Along with whatever cash from his buiness that he could access. One step ahead of his creditors. He was bankrupt.
As the attorney or claims agent for one of the creditors worked through the mess, and significant loss for his employer, he kept thinking about the engagement photo. Specifically, that big rock on Zsa Zsa’s finger. The agent was convinced that the ring had been purchased with misappropriated funds by Hayes. Funds that belonged to one or more of the creditors. He decided to go after the ring.
So, he called Zsa Zsa on her home phone. (It was a simpler and less paranoid time.) He was, however, surprised that Zsa Zsa, and not a housekeeper or assistance answered, the phone. He explained who he was and wanted to talk to her about Hayes. Graciously, she invited him to her home to discuss whatever.
The agent found her to be charming and totally non-defensive as he explained why he was there. Specially to retrieve the engagement ring.
Zsa Zsa leaned back, laughed, and said, “Dahling, let me explain something to you.” (In the story, she did say “dahling.”) “Hal and I were never engaged. I hardly knew him. It was a publicity stunt.”
The agent sputtered, “But the ring.”
Zsa Zsa went on. “One of many in my safe. And one I’ve owned for a long time. Occasionally, for a fee, I wear one of my jewels in publicity situations. Hal enjoyed begin seen with me and letting others think that he could buy me such a big diamond.”
The agent believed her. Zsa Zsa was neither so incredibly charming nor a good enough actress to pull one over this hard-nosed agent. Or maybe she had.
Diamonds in the sky for Zsa Zsa now.
