Zsa Zsa Gabor is originally from Hungary. She was born in Budapest, the capital, in 1917 (Hungary in those days was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.) Her father was a soldier. She was originally named Sari (with an accent over the 'a') after a well known Hungarian actress.

The family quite well off and Sari went to boarding school in Switzerland. She was still at school in 1936 when a classical singer spotted her during a trip to Vienna and offered her a role in his opera. She later went to Hollywood, where her sister Eva was already working, and adopted the name of Zsa Zsa. Her first important role was in 1952, in a musical called Lovely to Look At. she soon became very famous, though more for her colourful private life and personality than for any particular role. She has had nine husbands, and is currently in the news because her daughter is concerned about the way her current spouse is treating Gabor, who is now 95.