Somehow I kept my head above water. I relied on the discipline, character, and strength that I had started to develop as that little girl in her first swimming pool.

Three events. Three gold medals. I was news, big news, in the sports world.

Marriage to Fernando offered shelter and security, but the shackle was the price I'd pay.

I took my daily swim at the Beverly Hills Hotel pool despite the presence of onlookers

I always took it for granted that there would be life after Hollywood.

I was all in gold sequins for Million Dollar Mermaid, 50 feet in the air

The newspapers loved pinup pictures of pretty young swimmers, and as a national champion, I got more than my share of space in the sports pages.