The Brightest Star in Beverly Hills

In the dazzling world of late 1950s Beverly Hills, one hostess shone brighter than the rest—Rosemary Clooney. "Parties were a regular thing back then," recalls her son Gabriel Ferrer, now 60. Those nights were nothing short of legendary, with A-list guests like Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and the iconic Billie Holiday gracing the Clooney household. Gabriel fondly remembers sneaking downstairs as a child to sit with Nat King Cole while he played the piano. "To us, it was just another night," he tells Closer, capturing the essence of their star-studded life.

At the peak of her early fame, Rosemary seemed to have it all—a thriving career, a passionate marriage to actor José Ferrer, and five beautiful children. Born in Maysville, Kentucky, in 1928, Rosemary was in her twenties when her career skyrocketed. Hits like “Come On-A My House” and “Mambo Italiano” played on radios across the nation, and she fell deeply in love with José, an actor 16 years her senior. They tied the knot in 1953, beginning a whirlwind romance that captivated Hollywood.

jose ferrer & rosemary clooney family getty images

Rosemary and José with children Gabriel and Maria Ferrer.

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Challenges Beneath the Glamour

Though the surface appeared perfect, life behind the scenes was far from it. "There was intense love, but living together was too hard," Gabriel explains, speaking of his parents, who married and divorced twice. "My mother always said my father was a great father and a so-so husband," he adds, highlighting the complexities of their relationship. A year after their final split, Rosemary joined Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign, a decision that had lasting effects. Gabriel believes her witnessing Kennedy's assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968 contributed to her emotional breakdown in the same year. "She was carrying an enormous load for years, and it finally caught up with her," he confides.

A New Beginning

Following her breakdown in 1968, Rosemary made a conscious decision to change. "She became less focused on chasing fame and more interested in her children," Gabriel shares. This transformation brought a warmth and presence that had been missing. Gabriel recalls how his mother began cooking for them, experimenting with recipes until she got them just right. "For three nights, we had soufflés," he laughs, illustrating her newfound dedication. Her children's friends also benefited from her renewed energy. "Our house became a sanctuary for neighborhood kids from broken homes," Gabriel explains, painting a picture of a nurturing environment.