<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F06%2F06%2Fus%2Fobit-esther-williams%2Findex.html">Esther Williams</a>, whose success as a competitive swimmer propelled her to Hollywood stardom during the 1940s and 1950s, died Thursday, June 6, in California, according to her spokesman. MGM created a special genre of "aqua musicals" starring Williams, including 1944's "Bathing Beauty."
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Esther Williams, whose success as a competitive swimmer propelled her to Hollywood stardom during the 1940s and 1950s, died Thursday, June 6, in California, according to her spokesman. MGM created a special genre of "aqua musicals" starring Williams, including 1944's "Bathing Beauty."
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Williams poses with a ironing board before competing in the "Ironing board derby" between Catalina Island and the California coast on August 25, 1947.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams poses with a ironing board before competing in the "Ironing board derby" between Catalina Island and the California coast on August 25, 1947.
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Williams circa 1945.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams circa 1945.
Archive Photos/Getty Images
Williams poses in the pool circa 1950.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams poses in the pool circa 1950.
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Williams and her husband, Ben Gage, prepare dinner circa 1950.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams and her husband, Ben Gage, prepare dinner circa 1950.
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Williams plays with her three children, Susan, Kimball and Ben, circa 1955.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams plays with her three children, Susan, Kimball and Ben, circa 1955.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Williams and director George Sidney on the set of "Jupiter's Darling" in 1955.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams and director George Sidney on the set of "Jupiter's Darling" in 1955.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Williams with Gage at the Golden Globe Awards on February 27, 1956.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams with Gage at the Golden Globe Awards on February 27, 1956.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Williams and Jeff Chandler sit together during the WAIF Imperial Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in November 1959.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams and Jeff Chandler sit together during the WAIF Imperial Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in November 1959.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Williams and Argentine actor Fernando Lamas, whom she would later marry, walk through the Plaza Mayor in Madrid in 1961.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams and Argentine actor Fernando Lamas, whom she would later marry, walk through the Plaza Mayor in Madrid in 1961.
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Williams and Lamas on holiday in Palma de Mallorca on the Balearic Islands, Spain, on February 15, 1962.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams and Lamas on holiday in Palma de Mallorca on the Balearic Islands, Spain, on February 15, 1962.
Gianni Ferrari/Cover/Getty Images
Williams attends Tony Martin's 90th birthday party at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills on December 7, 2003.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams attends Tony Martin's 90th birthday party at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills on December 7, 2003.
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Williams, left, along with Ann Rutherford, Cara Sue Collins and Betty Garrett, attends a ceremony for Ted Turner's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 8, 2004.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams, left, along with Ann Rutherford, Cara Sue Collins and Betty Garrett, attends a ceremony for Ted Turner's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 8, 2004.
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Williams and her husband, Edward Bell, attend the 87th annual installation and awards luncheon for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on April 9, 2008.
Esther Williams, a 'Bathing Beauty' —
Williams and her husband, Edward Bell, attend the 87th annual installation and awards luncheon for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on April 9, 2008.
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