About Babe Zaharias
A Timeline of Triumph
Babe Zaharias, an iconic figure in sports history, was more than just an athlete; she was a pioneer who shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations of female athletes. Born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, Zaharias’s journey from a local sports enthusiast to an Olympic Champion and golf legend is celebrated at the Babe Zaharias Museum. This timeline captures the highlights of her remarkable career and achievements, inviting you to explore her legacy and the rich history of Beaumont attractions.
- 1911: Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Mildred Ella "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias quickly showed her athletic prowess. Her nickname "Babe" was inspired by Babe Ruth, reflecting her early talent for hitting home runs in baseball.
- 1920s: During her school years in Beaumont, Texas, Babe excelled in basketball, baseball, and track and field, often competing against male athletes and showcasing her extraordinary versatility.
- 1932: At the Los Angeles Olympics, Babe Zaharias became an Olympic Champion, winning two gold medals in the javelin and 80-meter hurdles, and a silver in the high jump. Her performance was a testament to her exceptional athletic ability and determination.
- 1935: Transitioned to professional golf, where she quickly made a name for herself by winning the Texas Women's Amateur and the Western Women's Open, marking her as a trailblazer for female athletes in a male-dominated sport.
- 1940s: Dominated women's golf, winning 82 amateur and professional tournaments, including the U.S. Women's Amateur and British Ladies Amateur. Her success helped elevate women's golf to new heights and inspired countless young women to pursue sports.
- 1950: Co-founded the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), furthering her impact on women's sports by providing a platform for female golfers to compete professionally and gain recognition.
- 1953: Despite battling cancer, Zaharias won the U.S. Women's Open by a record margin, showcasing her indomitable spirit and earning admiration from fans worldwide.
- 1956: Passed away, leaving a legacy celebrated at the Babe Zaharias Museum in Beaumont, TX. Her contributions to sports and her pioneering spirit continue to inspire generations.
World’s Greatest Woman Athlete of the First Half of the 20th Century
Babe claimed to win 17 tournaments in a row
She actually won these 3 in 1946:
- Trans-Mississippi-Denver, beat Polly Riley in finals, 6 & 5.
- Broadmoor Invitational-Colorado Springs, beat Dot Kielty 6 & 4.
- All-American Championship at Tam O’Shanter, 310 (medal play).
She had one loss, then her 14 amateur victories in a row from 1946-47 are:
- U.S. Women’s Amateur-Tulsa, beat Clara Callender Sherman 11 & 9 for the biggest margin in the history of the tournament.
- Texas Women’s Open, beat Betty Hicks 5 & 3.
- Tampa Women’s Open, won by five strokes.
- Helen Lee Doherty Women’s Amateur-Miami, beat Margaret Gunther 12 & 10. Qualified eight below women’s par with 68 and four under men’s par. Babe was only one stroke off the men’s record for the course.
- Florida Mixed Two-Ball, Partnership with Gerald Walker, won on 31st hole.
- Palm Beach Women’s Amateur, beat Jean Hopkins, 1 up.
- Women’s International Four-Ball-Hollywood, FL, with Peggy Kirk, beat Louis Suggs and Jean Hopkins in 18 hole playoff, 4 & 2.
- South Atlantic Women’s Championship-Ormond Beach, FL beat Peggy Kirk 5 & 4.
- Florida East Coast Women’s Championship-San Augustine, beat Mary Agnes Wall 2 & 1.
- Women’s Titleholder-Augusta, overcame 10 stroke lead by Dorothy Kirby to win with 304, by five strokes.
- North and South Women’s Amateur- Pinehurst, beat Louise Suggs on 2nd extra hole.
- National Celebrities in Washington, DC
- British Women’s Amateur-Gullane, Scotland, beat Jacqueline Gordon.
- Broadmoor Match Play, beat Dot Kielty 10 & 9.
Golf Career Highlights
Babe Didrikson Zaharias reached extraordinary heights in golf and is widely recognized as the athlete who did more than anyone else to popularize women’s golf. She is a member of both the Ladies Golf Hall of Fame and the Helms Athletic Foundation’s Golf Hall of Fame.
Throughout her career, Babe won 82 golf tournaments, spanning both amateur and professional events. As a pioneer of the early LPGA Tour—when tournaments were limited and travel was demanding—she still managed to dominate the field. She won 31 professional events before her death and was the leading money winner for four consecutive years (1948–1951).
1948
All-American Open
World Championship
U.S. Women’s Open
1950
All-American Open
World Championship
U.S. Women’s Open
Titleholders Championship
144-hole Weathervane
Women’s Western Open
1951
All-American Open
World Championship
Ponte Vedra Open
Tampa Open
Fresno Open
Texas Open
The “Dead Head” Trophy
Babe was required to win the World Championship three times to keep the iconic “Dead Head” Trophy permanently. She exceeded that requirement, winning the event four times—in 1948, 1949, 1950, and 1951. The trophy is now proudly displayed in the museum.
The Babe Zaharias Open
In her honor, the Babe Zaharias Open was established in Beaumont and held from 1953 to 1955. Babe won the inaugural event and competed in all three tournaments.
Historic Records & Honors
One of only two players (alongside Louise Suggs) to win both the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Open.
At the 1954 U.S. Women’s Open in Salem, she set a record 12‑stroke victory margin—a record that has been tied but never surpassed.
Won the Vare Trophy in 1954 with a scoring average of 75.48.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Babe born and where did she live?
Babe was born June 26, 1911 in Port Arthur, Texas and moved to Beaumont, Texas when she was four years old, residing at 850 Doucette.
How many children were there in her family and in what order were they born?
There were seven children in her family. They were Dora, Nancy, Ole, Lillie, and Louis (twins), Babe, and Arthur (Bubba). Dora, Nancy and Ole were born in Norway. Lillie, Louis, Babe and Bubba were born in Port Arthur, Texas. Bubba was only four days old when the storm hit Port Arthur in 1915.
Where were her parents born and what were their names?
Oslo, Norway and their names were Hannah (mother) and Ole (father).
What was Babe’s full name?
Mildred Ella Didrikson
Where did Babe go to High School?
Beaumont High School in Beaumont, Texas.
Did Babe go to college?
No. She moved to Dallas, Texas and worked at Employers Casualty Insurance Company and played on their basketball team called Golden Cyclones
Who did Babe marry?
Babe married George Zaharias in St. Louis, Missouri on December 23, 1938.
Where did Babe meet George?
Babe met George in California playing golf.
Where was George born?
George was born in Pueblo, Colorado in 1908
What did George do for a living?
He was a professional wrestler known as “The Crying Greek from Cripple Creek” and did some part time acting.
Did Babe and George have any children?
No. They tried to adopt a baby, but the rules were too strict during that time period.
How tall was Babe and how much did she weigh?
Babe was 5’7″ and weighed 115 pounds when she was in the 1932 Olympics held in Los Angeles, CA.
How many events did Babe enter in the Olympics and how many medals did she win?
She entered three events and won all three events. Gold – Javelin Throw – 143’4″, Gold – 80 Meter Hurdles – 11.7 seconds, Silver – High Jump – 5’5″.
Are all the medals and trophies she won housed in the Babe Museum?
No. This about a third of her medals and trophies. Her husband, George, had some of them. The Tampa Golf Course has many of them.
How many golf tournaments did Babe win?
82, including amateur and professional.
Why was a 250 pound, 15 foot high key given to Babe?
She won the British Women’s Open Golf Tournament in Gulane, Scotland in 1947. She was the first American to ever win the British Tournament since if first began in 1893. She and George were living Denver, Colorado at the time and when she returned to Denver, they presented her with the “Key to the City”.
How did Babe win the “Dead Head Trophy” and what is a “Dead Head Trophy”?
Babe had to win this Golf Tournament three times in a row to keep this trophy, it was for the World Championship of Women’s Golf.
Did the gold shoes belong to Babe?
Yes. They had been sprayed gold.
What is the reason for the gold shovel?
The gold shovel was used to dig the first spade full of dirt for the ground breaking for building the Museum, which opened November 27, 1976.
What is the book, “This Life I’ve Led” and can it be bought anywhere?
Babe’s autobiography is no longer in print, although it can probably be found at the library.
Did Babe box?
Yes, but not professionally.
How did Babe make a name for herself?
Babe started by playing basketball in Beaumont, Texas.
In what sport was Babe best known and remembered?
Golf
When did Babe find out that she had Cancer?
She was diagnosed in 1953.
Where and when did Babe die?
Babe, age 45, died at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, Texas from colon cancer, September 27, 1956.
Where did Babe live when she died?
Babe and George were living in Tampa, Florida.
Where is Babe buried?
She is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Beaumont, Texas.
When was the movie of her life made?
The movie “Babe” was made in 1975.
Who played in the movie about Babe’s life?
Visit the Babe Zaharias Museum
Discover the inspiring journey of Babe Zaharias at the local sports history museum in Beaumont. As one of the top family-friendly museums in Southeast Texas, the Babe Zaharias Museum offers a unique glimpse into the life of this sports legend. Plan your visit today and explore the rich history of Beaumont attractions.
