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.

When I'm asked how to succeed in show business, I always say I haven't the foggiest

I have plenty of invitations to go places, lots to do. If I'm not working, I go to have my hair taken care of and work at needlepoint

I have been ambitious to be a somebody from the time I was 5 years old

Once I had the attention, all I had to do was deliver.

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 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