Jayne Mansfield Biography: Cause of Death, Children, Crash, Daughter Movies, Age, Net Worth, Parents, Husband

Jayne Mansfield was an American actress, singer, and entertainer who gained fame in the 1950s and 1960s. She became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable sex symbols.

She rose to prominence through her role in the 1956 film The Girl Can’t Help It, which showcased both her comedic abilities and her glamorous appeal. Apart from acting, she was also a nightclub performer, singer, and Broadway actress.

Profile

• Full name: Vera Jayne Palmer
• Date of birth: April 19, 1933
• Age as of 2025: Deceased
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States
• State of origin: Pennsylvania
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actress, Singer, Entertainer
• Height: 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters)
• Parents: Herbert William Palmer (Father), Vera Jeffrey Palmer (Mother)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Paul Mansfield (m. 1950–1958), Mickey Hargitay (m. 1958–1964), Matt Cimber (m. 1964–1966)
• Children: Jayne Marie Mansfield, Miklós Jeffrey Palmer Hargitay, Zoltán Anthony Hargitay, Mariska Magdolna Hargitay, Antonio Raphael Ottaviano Cimber
• Relationship status: Deceased
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: White
• Net worth: $4 million

Early Life and Education

Jayne Mansfield was born on April 19, 1933, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She is now posthumously at the age of 92. Her father, Herbert William Palmer, was an attorney, while her mother, Vera Jeffrey Palmer, was a schoolteacher.

When she was just three years old, her father passed away, and her mother later remarried. Mansfield grew up in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, before moving to Dallas, Texas, with her family.

She attended Highland Park High School in Dallas and graduated in 1950. Afterward, she enrolled at Southern Methodist University, where she studied acting.

Later, she transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where she pursued drama. She was determined to break into the entertainment industry and took various performance-related courses while in college.

Personal Life

Mansfield married her first husband, Paul Mansfield, in 1950 when she was just 17 years old. The couple had one daughter, Jayne Marie Mansfield, before divorcing in 1958. Shortly after, she married bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay in 1958.

Their marriage produced three children: Miklós Jeffrey Palmer Hargitay, Zoltán Anthony Hargitay, and Mariska Magdolna Hargitay. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1964.

She later married director Matt Cimber in 1964, and they had one son, Antonio Raphael Ottaviano Cimber. Their marriage lasted only two years before they divorced in 1966. Mansfield had several high-profile relationships and affairs throughout her life, often making headlines for her personal endeavors.

Career

Mansfield began her career in the early 1950s, initially working as a model while auditioning for film roles. She gained recognition after appearing in Playboy magazine, which helped her land acting roles. Her breakout role came in the 1956 film The Girl Can’t Help It, where she played a rock-and-roll singer. This role established her as a leading sex symbol in Hollywood.

She went on to star in movies such as Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw (1958), and Too Hot to Handle (1960). Mansfield also performed in Broadway productions and toured as a nightclub entertainer. She frequently made television appearances and even recorded music.

Awards

• Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer (1957)

Net Worth

Mansfield‘s net worth was estimated around $4 million at the time of her death. She made her fortune primarily through acting, modeling, nightclub performances, and endorsements.

Death

Jayne Mansfield passed away on June 29, 1967, in a tragic car accident on U.S. Route 90 near New Orleans, Louisiana. She was 34 years old at the time of her death.

Controversy

Throughout her career, Mansfield was often involved in controversies, many of which were related to her bold public persona and media stunts.

One of her most notable controversies involved a wardrobe malfunction during a 1957 press event, where she accidentally exposed herself. This incident, along with others, led to her being banned from certain venues and television programs.

Her relationship with the Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey also sparked rumors and criticism. LaVey claimed Mansfield was associated with his church, though it remains debated how deep their connection truly was.

She was also involved in a widely publicized feud with fellow actress Sophia Loren. A famous photograph from a 1957 party showed Loren glaring at Mansfield‘s revealing dress, fueling rumors of jealousy and competition between the two actresses.

Social Media

N/A

Filmography

• The Girl Can’t Help It (1956)
• Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)
• Kiss Them for Me (1957)
• The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw (1958)
• Too Hot to Handle (1960)
• Promises! Promises! (1963)
• The Fat Spy (1966)
• A Guide for the Married Man (1967)

Discography

• Jayne Mansfield Busts Up Las Vegas (1962)

Books

• Jayne Mansfield’s Wild, Wild World (1963)