First lady’s book is in 1st
The No. 1 book on the Times best seller list is “Melania.” Publisher, Skyhorse. Costs $40. The slim 184 pages explains her modeling in Europe to becoming an American citizen to being first lady.
Straight, direct, minus the could’ve would’ve and should’ve, it omits the tears, fears and rears of those whose should’ve been kicked in.
I knew Melania from Day 1. Was alongside at their first inaugural until Donald came over and hugged us both. I have the pic taken at that moment.
She tells you straight out: “Independence has always been very valuable to me. Having established successful careers before and during my marriage, knowing that I can stand on my own if necessary, gives me great confidence in everything I do.”
Do they love one another? Yes. Final paragraph of her book? “The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide — thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.”
Pals for life
I think now of another woman with whom I experienced friendship. Long ago, longer than most people are alive, I met Queen Sirikit — now 92 — in her palace in Thailand.
Their Majesties were sacred. Nobody could touch King Bhumibol. Once swimming, drowning in the ocean — nobody at first dared save him because touching him was not permitted.
I have met with Her Majesty often. The last time was when I flew to Bangkok for help in locating my friend lost in the tsunami. I went with international p.r. man Geoffrey Weill.
The queen gave me an officer in the Royal Thai Air Force plus a plane with orders to fly me there and search for her. The Israeli army located her body. It was found by a map she’d tattooed on her hip.
Like the rest of the world, Thailand has altered politically. Now out, Her Majesty has been replaced by a prime minister and political dynasty.
NYC legend signs off
Another lady. Another memory. Just reported was the professional bye-bye of WNBC-TV newscaster Chuck Scarborough.
He and his also-retired co-anchor Sue Simmons had ruled Channel 4’s “Live at Five” since before Christopher Columbus. I was on that show for years.
I remember most the cameras dollying in tight for a close-up just as the contact lens from my right eye slipped out and rolled sloowwwly down my cheek. I wanted to destroy myself. Chuck and Sue had laugh cramps.
OK. Just one more turkey and then I’ll go away. “Tammy Faye.” Musical. On Broadway. Palace Theatre. Tammy’s now gone. I’m told so also should the show be. Reviewers called it “hollow” and “cheap” and those were the good points.
Tammy married the not so good and clean Rev. Jim Bakker. A little bit they stole. Forget pass the hat. We’re talking pass the C-notes. I knew both. He went to jail.
She also told me: “If ever anybody plays me in the movies or TV I want it to be Sally Field.”
Tammy loved attention. And she told me: “Tough? Every Thanksgiving me and my family would sit around the dining room table and punch out a turkey — until it talked.”
She could be only in New York, kids, only in New York.
