The first lady’s book is in 1st
The No. 1 book on the Times bestseller list is “Melania.” Publisher, Skyhorse. Costs $40. The slim 184 pages explain her modeling in Europe, her American citizenship and her status as first lady.
Direct, direct, without what could and should have been, he omits the tears, the fears and the backs of those who should have been hit.
I knew Melania from day one. She was with them at their first inauguration until Donald came and hugged us both. I have the photo taken at that time.
She tells you bluntly: “Independence has always been very precious to me. Having established a successful career before and during my marriage, knowing that I can stand on my own two feet if necessary, gives me great confidence in everything I do.
Do they love each other? Yes. Last paragraph of his book? “The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who are shouting in support, I thank you. I applaud those of you who have crossed political divides – please remember that every politician is a man or woman with a loving family.
Friends for life
I now think of another woman with whom I had a friendship. A long time ago, longer than most people have been alive, I met Queen Sirikit – now 92 years old – at her palace in Thailand.
Their Majesties were sacred. No one could touch King Bhumibol. Once he was swimming, drowned in the ocean, at first no one dared to save him because it was forbidden to touch him.
I have often met His Majesty. The last time was when I flew to Bangkok to get help finding my friend lost in the tsunami. I went there with the international relations man Geoffrey Weill.
The Queen gave me a Royal Thai Air Force officer and a plane with orders to take me there and search for her. The Israeli army located his body. He was found thanks to a map she had tattooed on her hip.
Like the rest of the world, Thailand has changed politically. Now absent, Her Majesty has been replaced by a Prime Minister and a political dynasty.
The New York legend signs his signature
Another lady. Another memory. It has just been announced that WNBC-TV news anchor Chuck Scarborough is leaving his career.
He and his retired co-presenter, Sue Simmons, ran Channel 4’s ‘Live at Five’ long before Columbus. I’ve been on this show for years.
I remember most of the cameras closing in for a close-up just as the contact lens in my right eye slowly slid and rolled down my cheek. I wanted to destroy myself. Chuck and Sue had fits of laughter.
ALL RIGHT. One more turkey and I’m leaving. “Tammy Faye.” Musical. On Broadway. Palace Theater. Tammy is now gone. I’m told the show should be too. Critics called it “hollow” and “cheap” and those were the positives.
Tammy married the not-so-good-and-clean Reverend Jim Bakker. They stole a little. Forget the hat. We’re talking about passing C-grades. I knew both. He went to prison.
She also told me, “If anyone ever plays me in movies or on TV, I want it to be Sally Field.” »
Tammy loved the attention. And she said to me: “Hard? Every Thanksgiving, my family and I would sit around the dining room table and punch a turkey – until it spoke.
She could only be in New York, children, only in New York.
