There have been people who have tried to take advantage of me. They want to be linked to me just because I'm Ethel Merman.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Throughout my career, my family and I have fallen victim to inappropriate attempts to contact me by several unknown individuals.
For years, I have been stalked by a bad reputation. Actually, I have been pursued by people who have regarded me as the 'Death and Dying' Lady. They believe that having spent more than three decades in research into death and life after death qualifies me as an expert on the subject. I think they miss the point.
Sometimes you try to help people, and it backfires on you, and then they try to take advantage of you.
Someone had my number and they started text-stalking me. I've never replied to them. It was tempting to write back, but I resisted.
Who has sent you against me? Who has told you to do this thing?
There were certain people who were out to get me. I know who those people were. They exist, believe me. They know that I know. They spent millions of dollars in order to try to get rid of me. I'm happy they lost most of their money.
I was spawned by some pretty good people in this business - Mr. Astaire, Mr. Tracy. They stopped and took their time to talk to people.
Somehow, by just continually pestering the general public by appearing on television, they accepted me and wanted more.
I don't think about it. I have always been linked up with everybody.
They made a shrewd guess that I could give them some useful information, and they were the first to meet me. Some one said they came to arrest me, and - well, let it go at that.