There have been people who have tried to take advantage of me. They want to be linked to me just because I'm Ethel Merman.

I've never suffered stage fright. That fascinates people.

I work as often as I want and yet I'm free as a bird

I was lucky enough to have the songs in my first show written by George and Ira Gershwin. Then Cole Porter wrote five shows for me

Of my four marriages, the one to Bob Levitt is the only one I don't regret

There's such a thing as theater discipline. One player doesn't appropriate another's inventions

I take a breath when I have to.