The Gabor sisters—Zsa Zsa Gbor, Eva, and Magda—are iconic figures in Hollywood history, each with their own brand of charm, beauty, and personality. Zsa Zsa Gabor, the most famous of the trio, often spoke about her family, particularly her sisters, in interviews throughout her career. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Zsa Zsa’s relationship with her sisters, the impact they had on her life and career, and how she reflected on their bond in later years.
The Gabor Sisters: A Legacy of Zsa Zsa Gbor
The Gabor sisters, born in Hungary, became some of the most well-known figures in Hollywood during the mid-20th century. Zsa Zsa Gabor, born in 1917, was the eldest of the three. She was followed by Eva Gabor, born in 1919, and Magda Gabor, born in 1915. Each of the sisters carved out a name for themselves in the entertainment industry, but their paths to stardom and the way they embraced fame were distinct.
Zsa Zsa Gbor fame grew from her acting career and high-profile marriages. She was known for her glamorous looks, sharp wit, and somewhat scandalous personal life. Zsa Zsa Gbor career was marked by an eclectic mix of film roles, television appearances, and media attention. She often appeared in films where her beauty and charm were key to her persona, such as in Moulin Rouge (1952) and Queen of Outer Space (1958). However, Zsa Zsa Gbor legacy was also built on her extravagant lifestyle and love for the spotlight, often becoming more famous for her celebrity status than for her acting talent.
Eva Gabor, in contrast, found her own brand of stardom through television. She is perhaps best remembered for her role as Lisa Douglas in the beloved TV sitcom Green Acres (1965-1971), where her comedic timing and sophisticated, yet bubbly persona, made her a household name. Eva had a more wholesome, approachable image compared to Zsa Zsa’s bold and brash personality. Despite being the middle child, Eva achieved a different kind of fame, drawing a large following with her television career.
Magda Gabor, the most private of the sisters, did not enjoy the same level of fame as her two younger sisters. However, she remained an important figure in their lives. Magda was known for her quieter demeanor, often staying out of the Hollywood limelight. However, she still made a name for herself as a socialite and was involved in various business ventures. Magda’s legacy is less well-known than that of Zsa Zsa and Eva, but she was still a part of the glamorous Gabor family dynasty.
Zsa Zsa Gbor Reflections on Her Sisters
In various interviews throughout her life, Zsa Zsa Gabor spoke about her sisters with affection and warmth. Though their lives and careers were quite different, Zsa Zsa Gbor expressed pride in her siblings and their achievements.
Zsa Zsa Gbor once said that while she was often portrayed as the “bad girl” of the family, she admired how Eva was able to find success in a more traditional sense, particularly through her role in Green Acres. Zsa Zsa, known for her extravagant lifestyle and multiple marriages, appreciated that Eva maintained a more grounded, relatable persona, something she herself struggled with at times. Zsa Zsa also admired Eva’s ability to play characters that resonated with audiences and her ability to have a long-running TV career, which Zsa Zsa had never fully achieved in the same way.
On the other hand, Zsa Zsa often talked about Magda in a different light. While Magda was less in the public eye, Zsa Zsa spoke fondly of her sister’s intelligence and business acumen. In interviews, Zsa Zsa would often refer to Magda as the “smart” one of the sisters. Although Magda was not involved in the entertainment industry to the same degree, Zsa Zsa respected her ability to keep a low profile while still maintaining a successful and fulfilling life. Zsa Zsa would sometimes remark that Magda was the one who “kept them all grounded,” reminding them of their Hungarian roots and staying true to their values.
The Gabor Sisters’ Bond: Love, Rivalry, and Support
While each of the Gabor sisters had their own individual careers and lives, they maintained a close-knit bond throughout their lives. Zsa Zsa, in particular, was known for being fiercely loyal to her sisters, often speaking of them in interviews with a mix of love and admiration. However, like many sibling relationships, their bond wasn’t without its share of rivalry and competition. The nature of Hollywood stardom, with its focus on beauty, glamour, and attention, meant that there were moments of tension between the sisters, especially as Zsa Zsa’s fame grew.
Despite these moments, the sisters were very supportive of each other. Zsa Zsa would often express how much she loved and respected her sisters, and even after their individual successes, she remained incredibly protective of them. There were numerous stories of Zsa Zsa stepping in to help her sisters during tough times, whether through financial support or simply being there to lift their spirits.
The rivalry between Zsa Zsa and Eva, while not overtly hostile, was certainly present. Zsa Zsa’s larger-than-life persona sometimes overshadowed her younger sister’s quieter, more reserved public image. Still, Zsa Zsa always maintained that there was no real animosity between them. She would frequently recount how proud she was of Eva’s success and how they enjoyed sharing a bond over their shared Hungarian heritage. However, as with many families, there were moments of friction, and Zsa Zsa would occasionally express frustration with the pressures of being the oldest sister and constantly being in the spotlight.
Magda, as the least publicly visible of the sisters, often took a backseat to the more glamorous Gabor sisters. Zsa Zsa and Eva would sometimes speak of their younger sister with a sense of protectiveness, noting how she preferred to stay away from the Hollywood hustle and bustle. Zsa Zsa would often refer to Magda as the more “private” one, but also as someone with an incredibly sharp mind. This dynamic seemed to reflect the way Zsa Zsa perceived herself: bold, outgoing, and always in the public eye, while Magda was more reserved and content to stay behind the scenes.
Zsa Zsa’s Legacy and Final Thoughts on Her Sisters
As Zsa Zsa Gabor aged and faced her own health struggles, she reflected more on the importance of family. In her later years, Zsa Zsa was often seen spending time with her sisters and reminiscing about their younger days. It was clear that, despite the ups and downs of their individual careers and lives, the bond between the Gabor sisters remained strong. Zsa Zsa, who had gone through several marriages, health problems, and legal battles, often spoke about the support she received from her sisters during her personal difficulties.
In her final years, Zsa Zsa’s thoughts turned inward as she considered her legacy. She often talked about how proud she was of her sisters and their accomplishments. Even as she faced declining health, Zsa Zsa took comfort in knowing that her family had always been there for her. She would often reflect on how, despite the glamorous world they inhabited, it was her sisters who provided the true foundation for her life.
In interviews shortly before her death in 2016, Zsa Zsa continued to speak highly of Eva and Magda. She fondly remembered their time together in Budapest before they moved to the United States and how their shared experience of fleeing Hungary in the wake of World War II shaped their lives. The Gabor sisters, in many ways, represented the immigrant experience in America: they came from humble beginnings but achieved fame and success through their charisma, determination, and unique talents.
Conclusion
Zsa Zsa Gbor relationship with her sisters, Eva and Magda, is a testament to the complexities of family dynamics, fame, and love. While each sister carved her own path in the world, Zsa Zsa’s reflections on her family reveal a deep bond of love, rivalry, and support. As the most famous of the Gabor sisters, Zsa Zsa often became the face of the family, but her admiration and affection for Eva and Magda were clear throughout her life. The Gabor sisters will forever be remembered as a unique and dynamic trio that left an indelible mark on Hollywood and the world at large.
