Pearl Mae Bailey

Pearl Mae Bailey was born to the Reverend Joseph James Bailey and Ella Mae (Ricks) Bailey. She was an American actress and singer. After appearing in vaudeville, she made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. In 1968, she won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of Hello, Dolly! Pearl married drummer Louie Bellson (m. 1952–1990). She was married two or three times by the age of 30 and her third, or fourth - reports vary - husband was John Randolph Pinkett (m. 1948–1952). They divorced, due to what Pearl claimed was physical abuse, by John. Pearl Bailey had adopted children Dee Dee Jean Bellson and Tony Bellson with final husband Louie Belson.