Sophie Tucker (January 13, 1887 – February 9, 1966) was a Ukrainian-born American singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality. Known for her stentorian delivery of comical and risqué songs, she was one of the most popular entertainers in America during the first half of the 20th century. She was widely known by the nickname "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas."

Biography

Sophie Tucker was married three times, each marriage lasting no longer than five years. Her first marriage was to Louis Tuck, a local beer cart driver, with whom she eloped in 1903. The marriage produced Tucker's only child, a son named Albert. In 1906 the couple separated and Tucker left Albert with her family, supporting them with money from her singing jobs in New York. They were legally divorced in May 1913.

Tucker's second and third marriages were to Frank Westphal (1917–1920), her accompanist, and Al Lackey (1928–1934), her manager. Both ended in divorce and produced no children. Tucker blamed the failure of her marriages on the fact that she had been too adjusted to economic independence saying, "Once you start carrying your own suitcase, paying your own bills, running your own show, you've done something to yourself that makes you one of those women men like to call 'a pal' and 'a good sport,' the kind of woman they tell their troubles to. But you've cut yourself off from the orchids and the diamond bracelets, except those you buy yourself."

Albert was raised by Sophie's sister Annie. The sisters had a very close relationship and kept in touch with weekly letters. Sophie consistently sent money home to help support her family.