Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck 1980

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (born 21 February 1980) is the 5th and current reigning Dragon King (Druk Gyalpo) of the Kingdom of Bhutan. He became king on 14 December 2006, and was officially coronated on 6 November 2008.

Khesar (pronounced Gesar) is the eldest son of the fourth and previous Dragon King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his father's third wife, Queen (Ashi) Tshering Yangdon. He has a younger sister, Princess Dechen Yangzom, and brother, Prince Jigme Dorji, as well as four half-sisters and three half-brothers.

Engagement and marriage

Main article: Wedding of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, and Jetsun Pema

As he opened the parliament session on Friday, 20 May 2011, the King announced his engagement to Jetsun Pema, 21, born in Thimphu on 4 June 1990. They were married on 13 October 2011 in Punakha Dzong.

Education

After completing his higher secondary studies from Yangchenphu Higher secondary school, Bhutan, Khesar studied abroad at Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts), Cushing Academy and Wheaton College in Massachusetts, United States, before graduating from Magdalen College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, where he completed the Foreign Service Programme and International Relations.

As Crown Prince, he has travelled abroad, officially representing Bhutan on several occasions and has an active role in numerous cultural, educational and economic organizations. He is an active basketball player and has represented Bhutan in many international events.

Ascension to the throne

In December 2005, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced his intention to abdicate in his son's favour in 2008, and that he would begin handing over responsibility to him immediately. On 14 December 2006, the king abdicated and transferred the throne to Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck who was officially crowned on 6 November 2008, in the month of the male earth rat, in Punakha. Religious ceremonies and public celebrations were also held at Tashichhoedzong and Changlingmithang in Thimphu. The coronation ceremony comprised an ancient and colourful ritual, attended by thousands of foreign dignitaries, including President of India Pratibha Patil and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

CNN reported that, in order to welcome Khesar as King of Bhutan, people painted the street signs, hung festive banners and decorated traffic circles with fresh flowers to celebrate the occasion.

Accomplishments as king

The young king began his reign overseeing the democratization of his country: presiding over the last sessions of the present parliament where electoral laws, land reform and other important issues were deliberated. He stated that the responsibility of this generation for Bhutanese was to ensure the success of democracy. He also travelled extensively around the country to encourage participation in the upcoming democratic exercises, speaking mainly to the youth of Bhutan on the need for Bhutanese to strive for greater standards in education, business, civil service and the need for people of a small country to work harder than those of others.

He signed a new treaty of friendship with India in February 2007, replacing the treaty of 1949. Many government initiatives were undertaken by the new king with a view to strengthening the system in preparation for the democratic changes in 2008. Unlike other monarchs, King Jigme is personally overseeing the smooth transition to democracy and laying strong foundations for its success ever since. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan was adopted on 18 July 2008, by the first elected parliament. On 1 November 2008, he was formally crowned in Punakha as the Fifth King of the Wangchuck Dynasty.

Since the formal coronation, King Jigme Khesar's first landmark project was the launching of the National Cadastral Resurvey in March 2009. The programme is aimed at resolving long-standing land issues of excess land that affects every Bhutanese household.

The King has also been giving away land to landless farmers around the country. The on-going project takes the King to remote villages and communities. He personally supervised the rebuilding efforts following major earthquakes and floods in 2009.

Popularity abroad

As Crown Prince of Bhutan, Khesar attended Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th Anniversary Celebrations on 12–13 June 2006 in Bangkok along with royals from 25 countries. Known in the Thai press as Prince Jigme, the prince, at 26 the youngest of the visiting royals, caused a sensation, giving rise to a legion of female fans in Thailand. The Thai press dubbed him "Prince Charming", publishing his photograph and running stories about him as well as tourism in Bhutan for several weeks after he had left Thailand.

Styles

• 1980–2004: His Royal Highness Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
• 2004–2006: His Royal Highness Chhoetse Penlop Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
• 2006–present: His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck , Mang-pos Bhur-ba'i rgyalpo, King of Bhutan

Marriage

Bhutan's legendary gross national happiness quotient went into overdrive with prayers soaring into the mountains surrounding the startlingly beautiful 17th century monastery-fortress in Bhutan's old capital as the country's 31-year-old reformist king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck crowned childhood sweetheart Ashi Jetsun Pema his queen.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and his bride Queen Jetsun Pema sit during Buddhist blessings prior to their marriage at the Punakha Dzong, in Punakha, Bhutan. The 31-year-old reformist monarch of the small Himalayan Kingdom wed his commoner bride in a series ceremonies on Oct 13, 2011.

Wearing the raven crown symbolic of the Wangchuck dynasty, the king was completely at ease and all cheeky smiles as his bride prostrated herself before him thrice and offered him a goblet of 'ambrosia' to signify everlasting life for the couple.

In his laidback, casual manner the king dispensed with all formality and held hands, talking soothingly to his nervous bride now and again. There was some buzz that either of the Gandhi siblings - Rahul and Priyanka - would attend the ceremony, but they did not show up. India was more than adequately represented by minister of state for commerce and industry Jyotiraditya Scindia and his wife, West Bengal governor MK Narayanan, a posse of former ambassadors and the ebullient envoy to Bhutan Pavan K Varma.

Luminous in gold, red and black, the new queen seemed overwhelmed by the weight of history in the ancient monastery. The highest abbot in the land, Je Khenpo, presided over the ceremony attended by royalty from the region and under the watchful eye of the young king's father, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Earlier the couple underwent a purification ceremony in front of the enormous Thongdral tapestry of Bhutan's 17th century monk-king founder Zhabdrung.

The king took pains to stop and admire each of the many dances put on for him and to greet and chat with the dignitaries. There was no tawdry memorabilia, no over-the-top emotions, just a graceful show of joy and gratitude by the gathering of people who had walked miles to be part of this day.

Praising his new wife, the king spoke to the media of her warmth and intelligence and the common love of art that bound them together. As he joined the new queen and the entire audience in a dance at the end of the ceremony, it was quite clear that the bonds of the love affair that started when she was seven and he 17, go far beyond that.

Saturday Zodiac October 15

Expect a sense of support and goodwill from those around you today; this is a time of cooperation and getting things accomplished on a large scale. Planting of trees, bushes and perhaps a few winter vegetables can all be done in a small amount of time when several people work together. Perhaps the plants have been decided upon but each contributor might like his or her own little piece of garden to care for this winter, therefore promoting the whole picture. Projects are more interesting and satisfying when each person has an interest in the outcome: yum. Friendships and involvement in group activities play a more important part in your life now, not just in a garden. A fun entertainment activity can be enjoyed later today.

Consider the needs of others as you work on your financial plans now. Losing sight of the practical and mundane can make you very artistic now, but might not be so good for the bankbook. There is a need for caution and practicality on the material and financial level. Use your influence when it comes to teaching others what you have learned--especially the young people in your life. If you need any professional advice, today and tomorrow will be the best days to seek your answers. You will find the remainder of this month to be rather social. There are opportunities to attend reunions, homecomings, socials and gatherings of all sorts, particularly this week. You have a real appreciation for ideas and thoughts and you enjoy most socializing.

This morning will bring with it good luck and positive opportunities. If you are not learning about better nutrition, today and tomorrow are good times to begin. Normally, you are a very eager person--you may be encouraged to push beyond your strengths or be inclined to tax yourself today. You could be a bit pushy about your own belief system or style of doing things--careful. If you do not get your message across the first time, make it a point to take a step back, in order to see issues from a different perspective. There is a lot of energy and drive available to accomplish whatever you want to accomplish today. Expect a sense of support from those around you. Talking with a friend this evening may give you a new investment idea.

Your mind could be quite clear and natural just now. Ideas are flowing and come with ease. You can talk, talk and talk. Decisions and new beginnings are possible at this time; for the next three days try to avoid rash decisions. Running to and fro with no set plan or ideas can cause problems, physically and mentally. Any group activity will have much success. Perhaps a garage sale, auction or bazaar is in the works and can be planned now. You can grab attention or profit at this time. This is a day you should find everything running in a smooth manner. Working with--rather than against--the flow should be easy to do. An opportunity to take on a part-time job has positive possibilities. If you have a mate, discuss this opportunity before making a decision.

Circumstances may block you or bring you to a standstill. Fortunately, this is what makes today lucky--because you stay in one place longer than usual, amazingly, the good luck comes to you. You have a sense of serenity and inner harmony. You attract others to you because of your good attitude. Spiritual concerns achieve an added importance now. You could be tempted to over-indulge in food and drink later today when friends include you in some sort of celebration event. You enjoy the work you do to help build family relations; however, now it is time to create a little area for yourself so that you can create and enjoy your own private space. Some form of music, laughter and exercise is in order this evening. Communications are insightful.

Obtaining and exchanging information takes on more emotional significance for you now. Being more involved with neighbors or sibling(s) satisfies a deep emotional need. Communicating feelings becomes more important. You may be able to enjoy and value your own life situation or feel especially kind toward a friend or loved one. Someone may compliment you on your tastes or belongings. You are in a great mood of self-enjoyment and can appreciate your own better qualities. You may see value in or feel love for an older person or someone in authority. Getting away from the old routine may help you with a love relationship now. Perhaps a fun time at a nearby tourist park, concert or a nice restaurant dinner could be planned for this evening.

Put a closure on any old business or personal concerns today. Events may make it easy for you to just enjoy the day. Independence, originality and eccentricity are in the forefront now. Your home environment, friends and surroundings in general receive attention and encouragement. Your work or career is in real harmony with the rest of your life. Shopping and collecting things of beauty and value play a big role in your life. Provided you do not spend it all on the fancy things that catch your eye, this can be a financially favorable period. Visiting with friends takes priority today and you may find yourself arranging for a get-together this evening that may include a barbecue. Laughter and a lighthearted frame of mind keep your spirits positive.

Encourage your mate--it will benefit you! A natural transformation of your values and the way you appreciate and love is taking place. You may cease to waste time and money acquiring that which is worthless and may develop an eye for that which is lasting and worthwhile. Emotional beginnings, a fresh start, perhaps the establishment of new habit patterns--make sure they are good ones--because they will set the tone for you for quite some time to come! Your friends and family will support what you do; you may have to make a gentle effort to stand alone. Perhaps a new you is on the rise. Whatever you decide to do will have the support that you need. You may feel that you are in touch and in harmony with others. Social situations are favorable.

Easy does it; there could be a tendency to act suddenly, without thought or consideration. Give yourself time to think through the options as they occur today. Perhaps you can work in the yard or enjoy a bicycle trip with a friend. Many of your professional and personal dreams are near the realm of possibility and you are happy with your accomplishments. A kind of Midas touch is signaled by the new cycle now dawning in your life. Prosperity and security take center stage in your thoughts; a gentle but committed conservatism brings you all kinds of good things. It may occur to you that you should be thinking seriously about where you want a permanent home and in what neighborhood. A bicycle journey with friends this afternoon will take you a long way.

Your loved ones may have plans for the day that do not include you. You may remember that you wanted to go in a different direction anyway--so the feeling of being left out does not last long. Your own plans keep you busy and the day moves rather quickly. Emotional beginnings, a fresh start, perhaps the establishment of new habit patterns will set the tone for you for quite some time to come! Your creative abilities are primed and ready for whatever project you have in mind. Whatever you decide to do will have your own personal signature. Someone is impressed with the progress you have made in such a short amount of time--celebrations are in order. Perhaps this includes painting a room or redecorating a house. Romance is in the air this evening.

Take advantage of this weekend by planning fun things to do. If others are busy, take this opportunity to play! Busy yourself with one of the many hobbies you have. Do not push issues. This is certainly an unusual time--you may be ready to move forward with tough decisions. You know how, what and where you want to navigate. You will notice that the energies around you work with you, instead of against you, for a change. There are positive new beginnings in connection with family and friends. This is the perfect day to get close to your other half or a special friend and talk over anything under the sun, so to speak. You could gain an understanding and feel totally compatible with each other by keeping an open mind.

Faith, optimism and a yearning to explore all kinds of new horizons are some of the focal points in your life at this time. Take a little trip today. Enjoy getting away from your regular routine. Travel, education and other ways to stretch your horizons open new doors of opportunity. Religious, philosophical and cultural matters are likely to have a special appeal for you now; transmitting ideas on a broader scale brings gain. Support and recognition from family and friends are available. You feel at home in the world and it takes care of you. You could have deep insight into your own feelings and inner spiritual nature. There is some open time this evening to express your thoughts in some most creative ways, through poetry or music.

Bangladeshi Singer Habib Wahid 1976

Habib Wahid (Bengali: হাবিব ওয়াহিদ; born October 15, 1976), better known as Habib (for short), is a Bangladeshi composer and musician. He is notable for his fusion of traditional Bengali folk music with contemporary techno and urban beats. His music is mainly influenced by British Bangladeshis, while he was living there as a student. He takes folk music and remixes with popular music forms. He remixes songs of composers like Hason Raja, Shah Abdul Karim, Amir Uddin and others with the tunes with hip-hop, reggae, rap and electronica.

Habib was born and brought up in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He attended South Breeze School in Dhanmondi. His father is Ferdous Wahid, who was a Bangladeshi pop singer during the 1970s and 1980s. During his early years, Habib picked up the keyboard and approached by playing popular tunes. Later in teen age, he was recommended by one of his teachers to play in a band as a keyboardist, and so he did. A few years later, he went to the United Kingdom in pursuit of higher education and studied music and audio engineering at the School of Audio Engineering in London. Later he started to work with other Asian music producers such as Nitin Sawhney. He had already produced and planned his music, however he needed a vocalist to develop his new album. While living in London, he was searching for the vocalist Kaya, who was a Sylheti restaurant owner. In 2003, Habib released his first album Krishno, which proved to be a success in Britain and Bangladesh. The album Krishno had a unique mix of folk and modern electronica music, introducing a new sound to the Dhaka music arena.

In the next few years, Habib had released six albums which were Maya (2004), Moina Go... (2005), Shono (2006), Panjabiwala (2007), Bolchi Tomake (2008) and Aboseshe (2008). He has featured new voices in all of his albums. Besides Kaya, he has showcased singers such as Helal, Julie, Konica, Nirjho, Shireen (in Panjabiwala) and Nancy in these albums. Habib first debuted as a vocal in "Moina Go..." where he performed two soft singles. He also has his father, Ferdous Wahid singing a song in that album. On Wednesday, June 1st 2011 Habib's 8th album Ahoban! was released. The album consists 9 tracks in which three are duet songs with Nancy and Kona and one was sung by his father Ferdous Wahid. Overall he is considered one of the most talented singer/composer of Bangladesh in recent time periods.

Besides album work, Habib made a huge amount of jingles that actually changed the way TV advertisements in Bangladesh used to be; most popular ones include Banglalink, Citycell, Pran-up, Meril Beauty Soap, etc. As he said in an interview, he loves "putting music behind pictures and that's why [he does] jingles", and he has also stated that he's a "die-hard fan of A.R.Rahman" -whose music has a significantly big influence on Habib's compositions.

He also has composed songs for movies such as Hridoyer Kotha, Akash Chowa Bhalobasha, Chandragrohon, I Love You, Eito Prem , Third Person Singular Number, Amar Ache jol, etc.; most of which were big hits. In this advanced technological age, Habib makes songs that "has the essence from the roots of Bangla music", says Kumar Bishwajit-(one of the most respected singers of Bangladesh) while recording a song under direction of Habib Wahid in a movie called Projapoti.

Discography

• Krishno (2003)
• Maya (2004)
• Moina Go... (2005)
• Shono! (2006)
• Panjabiwala (2007)
• Bolchi Tomake... (2008)
• Aboseshe (2008)
• Ahoban! (2011)

Awards

He also won some awards as best musician and rising star in the beginning of his career, and later he got Meril Prothom-alo Best Song Award 2006 for Bhalobashbo (movie: Hridoyer kotha) and Meril Prothom-alo Best Song Award 2009 for Didha (movie: Third Person Singular Number). In 2011 He got Walton Boishakhi Star Award 2011 for Best Singer of 2010

বাংলাদেশী গায়ক হাবিব ওয়াহিদ ১৯৭৬

হাবিব ওয়াহিদ, যিনি হাবিব নামেই শ্রোতাদের কাছে বেশি পরিচিত। তিনি একজন বাংলাদেশী সুরকার এবং সঙ্গীতশিল্পী। তিনি বাংলা লোকগীতির ফিউশনের সাথে টেকনো এবং শহুরে বিটের সমন্বয়ের জন্যে সমধিক পরিচিত। স্বল্প পরিচিত লোকগীতিকে আরো ভাল সুর দিয়ে, রিমিক্স করে সাধারণ শ্রোতাদের কাছে জনপ্রিয় গ্রহণযোগ্য করে তুলছেন তিনি। তিনি মূলত হাসন রাজা, শাহ আবদুল করিম, আমির উদ্দীন প্রমূখ মরমী সঙ্গীত শিল্পীদের গানকে কিছুটা পরিবর্তনের মাধ্যমে জনপ্রিয় করে তুলেছেন। এ কারণে অনেকের কাছেই তিনি যেমন সমালোচিত হয়েছেন, ঠিক তেমনি তরুণ প্রজন্মের কাছে অত্যন্ত জনপ্রিয় সঙ্গীত শিল্পী হিসেবে খ্যাত হয়েছেন।

হাবিবের পিতা ফেরদৌস ওয়াহিদ আধুনিক বাংলা পপ সঙ্গীতের পথদ্রষ্টা ছিলেন। ১৯৭০ ও ১৯৮০’র দশকে ফেরদৌস ওয়াহিদ বাংলা পপ সঙ্গীতকে সম্মানজনক স্থানে নিয়ে গিয়েছিলেন। হাবিব তাই ছোটবেলাতেই তার পিতার কী-বোর্ড থেকে সুর করতে শিখেন। পরে তিনি স্কুল অব অডিও ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং, (লন্ডনে) অডিও ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিংয়ে অধ্যয়ন করেন। এসময় তিনি এশিয়ান আন্ডারগ্রাউন্ডের নিতিনের সাথে কাজ করার সুযোগ পান।

সঙ্গীত ভুবনে আবির্ভাব

হাবিবের প্রথম লোকসঙ্গীতের রিমিক্স অ্যালবাম কৃষ্ণ। লন্ডনে ছাত্রাবস্থায় থাকাকালীন সময়ে এটি প্রকাশিত হয়। এ অ্যালবামের কনসেপ্ট ও সুর অনেক পূর্বেই তৈরি করেছিলেন এবং শুধু একজন গায়কের জন্য অপেক্ষা করছিলেন বলে জানা যায়। লন্ডনে একজন সিলেটী রেস্তোঁরার মালিক কায়া ছিলেন একজন অপরিনত গায়ক, যার মত কন্ঠই হাবিবের দরকার ছিল। তাদের মিলিত গানগুলো লন্ডনে প্রচণ্ড জনপ্রিয়তা অর্জন করেছিল। যখন এই অ্যালবাম কৃষ্ণ শিরোনামে প্রথমবারের মত বাংলাদেশে মুক্তি পায় তখন সেটি অসম্ভব জনপ্রিয়তা অর্জন করে। এতে ছিল পুরোনো স্বাদের লোকসঙ্গীত এবং পাশ্চাত্যের ইলেকট্রনিকা এর মিশ্রণ যা বাংলাদেশে প্রথমবারের মতো প্রচলিত হয়।

প্রকাশিত অ্যালবামসমূহ

এরপর থেকে হাবিব আরও দু’টি অ্যালবাম মুক্তি দেন - মায়া (২০০৪) এবং ময়না গো (২০০৫)। দু’টোই বিক্রির তালিকায় একনম্বর ছিল। হাবিব এই অ্যালবামগুলোতে নতুন কন্ঠের আগমন ঘটান। কায়া’র পাশাপাশি এতে হেলাল’কে আনেন যার কন্ঠে অনেক অনুভুতি ছিল। জুলি, কনিকা, নির্ঝর ইত্যাদি নতুন মুখ ময়না গো অ্যালবামে হাবিবের সাথে কাজ করেন। হাবিব নিজেও ময়না গো অ্যালবামের মাধ্যমে গায়ক হিসেবে নিজেকে আত্মপ্রকাশ করেন। হাবিবের পিতা ফেরদৌস ওয়াহিদ ও মিলন মাহমুদ ময়না গো অ্যালবামে গান গেয়েছেন। হাবিবের গানগুলোতে হিপহপ, রেপ, ইত্যাদিতে কন্ঠ দেন কুনলে। হাবিব নিজেকে অন্যতম জনপ্রিয় তরুণ সঙ্গীত পরিচালক হিসেবে প্রতিষ্ঠিত করেছেন।

ময়না গো

ময়না গো হাবিব ওয়াহিদের ২০০৫ সালে প্রকাশিত একটি বাংলা পপ সঙ্গীত অ্যালবাম।

গানের বিবরণ

গানের নাম	সময়	শিল্পীর নাম
ময়না গো	৪.১৩	জুলি
আমি এক পাহারাদার	৫.১৭	ফেরদৌস ওয়াহিদ
দেশলাই	৫.০০	নির্ঝর
দিন গেল	৫.৪১	হাবিব
তারে ভাবলে কি আর	৫.৩০	মিলন মাহমুদ
এসো বৃষ্টি নামাই	৪.৫১	হাবিব
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US Actress Edie Adams 1927 - 2008

Edie Adams (April 16, 1927 – October 15, 2008) was an American singer, Broadway, television and film actress and comedienne. Adams, a Tony Award winner, "both embodied and winked at the stereotypes of fetching chanteuse and sexpot blonde." She was well-known for her impersonations of female stars on stage and television, most particularly, Marilyn Monroe.

Born	Edith Elizabeth Enke April 16, 1927(1927-04-16) Kingston, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	October 15, 2008(2008-10-15) (aged 81) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Edythe Adams Edith Adams
Occupation	Actress, comedienne, singer
Years active	1951–2004
Spouse	Ernie Kovacs (m. 1954–1962) «start: (1954)–end+1: (1963)»"Marriage: Ernie Kovacs to Edie Adams" Location: (linkback:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edie_Adams) (his death) 1 child Marty Mills (m. 1964–1971) «start: (1964)–end+1: (1972)»"Marriage: Marty Mills to Edie Adams" Location: (linkback:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edie_Adams) (divorced) 1 child Pete Candoli (m. 1972–1988) «start: (1972)–end+1: (1989)»"Marriage: Pete Candoli to Edie Adams" Location: (linkback:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edie_Adams) (divorced)

Adams was born as Edith Elizabeth Enke in Kingston, Pennsylvania. The daughter of Sheldon and Ada (Adams) Enke, the family lived in Grove City for some years and spent a year in New York City before moving to Tenafly, New Jersey, where Edie finished high school. Edie's mother taught her how to sing and play the piano; mother and daughter were members of the Grove City Presbyterian church choir. Adams' grandmother, a seamstress, taught her how to sew. She made her own clothing beginning in the sixth grade and later had her own designer line of clothing, called Bonham, Inc.

She earned a vocal degree from the Juilliard School of Music, and then graduated from Columbia School of Drama. Edie also studied at the Actors Studio in New York and the Traphagen School of Fashion Design, where she became adept at designing and sewing. Initially, she could not decide whether to pursue a career in fashion design or music, so she tossed a coin, with music being the winner. In 1950, she won the "Miss U.S. Television" beauty contest, which led to an appearance with Milton Berle on his television show. Her earliest television work billed her as Edith Adams. One of Edie's early television appearances was on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. She was seen by the producer of the Ernie Kovacs show Three To Get Ready (in Philadelphia), who invited her to audition. Edie, who was well-trained in classical music, had very little experience with popular music and could perform only three songs. She said later, "I sang them all during the audition, and if they had asked to hear another, I never would have made it." She became part of the show in July 1951. In one of the last interviews of his life, her first husband Ernie Kovacs looked back on the early days, saying, "I wish I could say I was the big shot that hired her, but it was my show in name only--the producer had all the say. Later on I did have something to say and I said it, 'Let's get married.".

Edie and Ernie

Adams began working regularly on television with comedian Ernie Kovacs and talk show pioneer Jack Paar. After a courtship that included mariachi bands and an unexpected diamond engagement ring, Adams and Ernie Kovacs eloped; they were married on September 12, 1954, in Mexico City. Initially, Adams wasn't certain about marrying Kovacs. She went on a six week European cruise, hoping to come to a decision. After just three days away and many long distance phone calls, Adams returned home with an answer-it was "yes". It was Kovacs' second marriage, and a union that lasted until his death in a car accident on January 13, 1962.

Kovacs as "Leena Queen of the Jungle" with Adams in 1956.

The husband-wife team of Adams and Kovacs received Emmy nominations for best performances in a comedy series in 1957. In 1960, she and husband Ernie Kovacs portrayed themselves as the guest stars in the final Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz "Lucy/Ricky Ricardo" coupling hour-long TV special on the Columbia Broadcasting System network.

After Kovacs' death, his network, ABC, gave Adams a chance with her own show, Here's Edie, which received five Emmy nominations but nevertheless was on for only one season, 1963. Kovacs was a noted cigar smoker, and Adams did a long-running series of TV commercials for Muriel cigars. She remained the pitch-lady for Muriel well after Kovacs' death, intoning in a Mae West style and sexy outfit, "Why don't you pick one up and smoke it sometime?" Another commercial for Muriel cigars, which cost ten cents, showed Adams singing, "Hey, big spender, spend a little dime with me" (based on the song, "Hey Big Spender" from the musical Sweet Charity.) In subsequent years, Adams made sporadic television appearances, including on Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and Designing Women.

Adams starred on Broadway in Wonderful Town (1953) opposite Rosalind Russell (winning the Theatre World Award), and as Daisy Mae in Li'l Abner (1956), winning the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She played the Fairy Godmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein's original 1957 Cinderella broadcast. Adams was to play Daisy Mae in the film version of Li'l Abner, but was unable to due to the late arrival of her daughter, Mia Susan Kovacs.

Adams played supporting roles in several films in the 1960s, including the bitter secretary of two-timing Fred MacMurray in the Oscar-winning film The Apartment (1960) and the wife of presidential candidate Cliff Robertson in 1964's The Best Man. In 2003, as one of the surviving headliners from the all-star comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, she joined actors Marvin Kaplan and Sid Caesar at a 40th anniversary celebration of the movie. She was also a favorite nightclub headliner.

Shortly after her husband's death, Adams won a "nasty custody battle" with Kovacs' ex-wife over her stepdaughters, Kip Raleigh "Kippie" Kovacs (1949–2001) (married Bill Lancaster, (1947–1997) son of Burt Lancaster) and Elizabeth ("Bette"). His ex-wife had previously kidnapped the girls during a visit; Adams and Kovacs worked tirelessly to locate his daughters and return them to their father's custody. The 1984 film Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter (in which Adams plays Mae West) deals with the real-life drama. Another court battle began for Adams in the same year; this time with her mother-in-law, who refused to believe there were more debts than assets in her son's estate. Mary Kovacs accused Edie of mismanaging the estate and petitioned for custody of her granddaughters. The dispute lasted for years with Edie remaining the administrator of her husband's estate and the guardian of the three girls.

She also worked for years to pay off Kovacs' massive back-taxes debt to the IRS. The couple's celebrity friends planned a TV special benefit for Edie and her family, but she declined, saying, "I can take care of my own children." Adams spent the next year working practically non-stop.

Starting over

Adams started her own businesses: Edie Adams Cosmetics, which were sold door to door, and Edie Adams Cut 'n' Curl beauty salons, which she began in 1967. Edie also once owned a 160 acre California almond farm and was the spokeswoman for Sun Giant nuts. Because of her 20 years of commercials for Muriel cigars and her successful business ventures, Adams went from being mired in debt after Kovacs' fatal accident in 1962 to being a millionaire in 1989.

Adams had two later marriages, briefly to photographer Martin Mills and then to trumpeter Pete Candoli, with whom she appeared in a touring production of the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes. In addition to taking care of two stepdaughters, she gave birth to two more children; a daughter, Mia Susan Kovacs, who was born in 1959 and killed in an automobile accident in 1982, and a son, Joshua Mills.

Death

Edie Adams died in Los Angeles, California at age 81. According to her son, the causes were cancer and pneumonia. Edie is buried in Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills Cemetery between her daughter, Mia, and her stepdaughter, Kippie.

Archiving Kovacs' work

She is also known for her work in archiving her husband's television work, something she described in detail during a 1999 video taped interview with the Archive of American Television. She later testified on the status of the archive of the short lived DuMont Television Network, where both she and husband Kovacs worked during the early 1950s. Adams claimed that so little value was given to the film archive that the entire collection was loaded into three trucks and dumped into Upper New York Bay.

Upon discovering that her husband's work was disappearing through being discarded and re-use of the tapes, Edie Adams initially used the proceeds of his insurance policy to purchase the rights to as much footage as possible. She also used her own earnings for this purpose.

Filmography

Television Three to Get Ready (1951–1952)[11] Ernie in Kovacsland (1951) (a summer replacement show)[44] Kovacs On the Corner (1952) (canceled after 3 months)[11] The Ernie Kovacs Show (1952–1956) Appointment with Adventure (1955) The Guy Lombardo Show (1956) Cinderella (1957) The Garry Moore Show (1958)[45] The Gisele MacKenzie Show (1958) The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom (1958) The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1958)[46] The Art Carney Show (1959-premiere)[47] Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1960) Take a Good Look (panelist from 1960–1961) The Spiral Staircase (1961)[48] Here's Edie (1963–1964) Evil Roy Slade (1972) Cop on the Beat (1975) Superdome (1978) Fast Friends (1979) The Seekers (1979) Kate Loves a Mystery (1979)[18] Make Me an Offer (1980) Portrait of an Escort (1980) A Cry for Love (1980) The Haunting of Harrington House (1981) As the World Turns (cast member in 1982) Shooting Stars (1983) Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter (1984) Adventures Beyond Belief (1987) Jake Spanner, Private Eye (1989) Tales of the City (1993) (miniseries)

Films Showdown at Ulcer Gulch (1956) The Apartment (1960) Lover Come Back (1961) Call Me Bwana (1963) Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963) It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) The Best Man (1964) Made in Paris (1966) The Oscar (1966) The Honey Pot (1967) Up in Smoke (1978) Racquet (1979) The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood (1980) Boxoffice (1982) Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003)