Film and television actress Shirley Temple Black was a much sought-after child star in her early years. She appeared in films like Bright Eyes, Curly Top, and Heidi as a young girl and captured the world’s attention with her pretty face and childlike charm. The cute, curly-haired little girl became everyone’s darling and even had merchandise like dolls modeled after her. She was also a fashion icon, with mothers rushing to buy dresses similar to the ones worn by Shirley for their own daughters. In addition to her beauty, she was also highly talented and received a special Juvenile Academy Award for her contributions to cinema. However, her early success did not translate into a meaningful acting career later, forcing her to retire at the age of 22. Several years later, she returned to show business as a television narrator. She also ventured into politics and was appointed the United States Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia. She also served as the Chief of Protocol of the United States—the first woman to hold that post.

A multifaceted personality, she served on the board of directors of several large corporations, including Bank of America and The Walt Disney Company.