Representing the state of Maryland, Leona won the title of Miss USA
1957. The next day, she was stripped of her crown when it was revealed
that she was married and the mother of two children.
After her last movie in 1965, Gage enrolled in hairdressing school. She
also performed as a singer and dancer in strip clubs, worked as a model and did
commercials.
After news of her story broke, her subsequent appearance on 'The Ed
Sullivan Show' became one of CBS's highest rated shows at the
time.
Was married and divorced six times and had five children. Their names were Gene, David, Nicholas, Cynthia and Robert.
Two of her children have since died. Her first-born son, Gene, died in 1988. Her daughter Cynthia died of hepatitis in 2002.
Living alone in North Hollywood, California. (April 2005)