Childhood & Early Life
Phyllis Ann George was born on June 25, 1949, in Denton, Texas. Not much is known about her family background except that her father’s name was James Robert George, while her mother was Diantha Louise Cogdell. She was probably her parents’ only child.
In 1967, on graduating from school, Phyllis entered North Texas State University, now University of North Texas (UNT). Sometime during this period, she started working as a part time model, appearing especially in industrial promotion films. Once a week, she also attended speech building classes.
In 1969, while she was still a student at UNT, she unsuccessfully competed for Miss Texas, appearing in it as Miss Denton, finishing in the fourth place. In the following year, she competed for the same titles, but this time as Miss Dallas.
In 1970, she won the Miss Texas beauty competition. Since the Texas Christian University (TCU) offered a scholarship to Miss Texas honorees, she now moved to TCU. Later in the same year, she entered the Miss America beauty pageant, and was crowned crowned Miss America 1971 on September 12, 1970.
Miss America
As Miss America, Phyllis George traveled all over the country hopping from one city to another. She also appeared in numerous press conferences and talk shows, answering all types of questions ranging from teen problems and fashion to world affairs. Thrice, she appeared on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’.
As Miss America, she also addressed youth and church groups, attended pageants and festivals, appeared in commercials. In August 1971, she went on a 22 days trip to Vietnam, along with six other beauties, to entertain the US soldiers stationed there. She also visited Mexico and Bahamas.
Television Anchor & Businessperson
In 1972, Phyllis George debuted on television as a co-host of ‘Candid Camera’, a popular hidden camera reality television series. Later in the same year, she moved to CBS as regular sports staff, attending horse racing events, including the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes..
In 1975, she began co-hosting ‘The NFL Today’, continuing to do so till 1986. Concurrently, she also appeared in other programs, co-hosting three Super Bowl broadcasts and six Rose Bowl Parades during this period. In 1978, she also hosted a primetime series entitled ‘People’.
In 1979, she moved with her husband to Kentucky, where he was elected the 55th Governor. During this period, she took up many welfare activities, establishing the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft in 1981, refurbishing the Governor’s house, taking care of abused women and children. .
In 1983, she published her first book, ‘The I (Love) America Diet’, which she co-authored with Bill Adler. Eventually she would have six more books published; the last among them being ‘Never Say Never: Yes You Can!’ (2009).
In 1985, she was given a two week trial run for the CBS morning news program, eventually signing a three year contract as a permanent anchor and a co-host of ‘CBS Morning News’. In this capacity, she interviewed many celebrated newsmakers including the then First Lady, Nancy Reagan.
Possibly in 1986, Phyllis George resigned from CBS and started a food company called ‘Chicken by George’, selling marinated boneless chicken breasts through grocery shops. In 1988, after successful two year run, she sold the venture ‘Hormel Foods’.
In 1990s, she sporadically returned to the television, hosting her own prime-time talk show, ‘A Phyllis George Special’ in 1994. In the same decade, she also hosted ‘Spotlight with Phyllis George’ (1995) on The Nashville Network’ (TNN) and ‘Women’s Day’ (1999) on Paxnet TV Network.
In 2000, she debuted in films, appearing in the role of Linda Banks, a minor character, in ‘Meet the Parents’. Three years later, she returned to entrepreneurship, creating ‘Phyllis George Beauty’, which markets a line of cosmetics and skincare products through television shopping network HSN.
Family & Personal Life
On December 12, 1977, Phyllis George married actor, Robert Evans. The couple divorced on July 22, 1978. They didn’t have any children.
On March 17, 1979, she married John Y. Brown Jr., a politician and businessman, especially known for building Kentucky Fried Chicken into a multimillion-dollar restaurant chain. The couple had two children, Lincoln Tyler George Brown and Pamela Ashley Brown. They divorced in 1998.
Phyllis George died on May 14, 2020, at a Lexington hospital, due to complications from Polycythemia, blood disorder.
Facts About Phyllis George
Phyllis George was not only a successful television personality, but she was also a talented businesswoman who founded her own successful cosmetics line.
In addition to her television work, Phyllis George was a published author, with several books to her name that showcased her wit and charm.
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Phyllis George was also known for her philanthropy work, supporting various charitable causes throughout her life.
Despite her busy career, Phyllis George always made time for her family and was known for her warmth and kindness towards others.
