SHARON TATE

Sharon Marie Tate was born on January 24 1943 in Dallas, Texas one day before her parents' first wedding anniversary.  She was indeed a beautiful child, her mother, Doris, recalled in later years how passers-by would stop and gaze at Sharon as a baby and in July 1943, aged only six months, she won her first beauty contest when she was crowned Miss Tiny Tot of Dallas, Texas.  Sharon was the oldest of three daughters born to Paul and Doris Tate.

Paul Tate was a Colonel in the United States Army and due to his position in Army Intelligence, the Tate family, who were very close, moved all over the United States and Europe, they moved from Dallas to Houston, El Paso, Tacoma, Washington DC and finally to Verona, Italy.  In 1958, Sharon was crowned Sophomore Princess at her school, in 1959 she was crowned Miss Autorama while working at a car show and in 1960 she was crowned Prom Queen at her high school, that spring she appeared on the front cover of Stars And Stripes, an American military newspaper.  Colonel Tate was reassigned to Verona, Italy in 1962 and Sharon attended Vincenza American High School and became a popular student, she became a cheerleader, a baton twirler, a basketball player and even played Juliet in the school's play of 'Romeo And Juliet' (a play written by Scottish playwright, William Shakespeare).

After graduating from high school, Sharon did a few bit parts in films where she caught the eye of actor Richard Beymer, over lunch he suggested that she seriously consider taking up acting and modelling and gave her the business card of his agent, Hal Gefsky.  Sharon's father, Paul, did not want her to become a star.  In 1963, Sharon hitchhiked her way to Hollywood to go and see Hal Gefsky, when Hal first met Sharon he was floored by her beauty, he introduced Sharon to Herb Browar who in turn would introduce her to movie producer Martin Ransohoff, the chairman of Filmways.  "She was absolutely beautiful", Martin later claimed, "Sharon was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen".  Because she was under 21, she had to be made a ward of the court to be under contract in Hollywood, Martin signed her to a 7 year contract earning $750 a month.

In time Hal introduced Sharon to french actor, Phillipe Forquet, and a relationship developed between them.  Sharon's parents and Martin Ransohoff were unhappy about the relationship as they believed Forquet would stand in the way of her career, the relationship lasted over a year and was turbulent, once Sharon was even rushed to UCLA Medical Center for medical treatment.  They became engaged, Sharon was said to be proud to be engaged to a real French Viscount, but Forquet ended the relationship before returning to France.  While they were dating, Forquet did bit parts in movies, but was never suuccessful in his career as a movie star.

In November 1964, Sharon was introduced to Hollywood hairstylist Jay Sebring at a Thanksgiving party, they hit it off right away, almost immediately becoming inseparable,

in time she would leave him for Roman Polanski, but Jay's heart was always with Sharon.  There was an intimate bond between Sharon and Jay, some even implied that she was closer to Jay than she was to Roman.  Sharon's parents were very impressed by Jay, he was a very handsome and refined gentleman and they both knew he treated Sharon very well.  He gave her emotional support when she needed it and she confided with him her personal feelings.  It was no secret that Jay was in love with Sharon up until the moment he died, and although she was married to Roman, Jay died trying to save the woman he loved.

Martin Ransohoff was producing the movie "The Fearless Vampire Killers", which was to be directed by Roman Polanski and starring Sharon as Sarah Shagal, the inn-keeper's beautiful Jewish daughter. 

 On the set Roman was a perfectionist which drove Sharon crazy, in the beginning they did not hit it off at all.  During the filming, Roman took some publicity stills of Sharon which would be featured in the March 1967 issue of Playboy magazine.  As filming continued, Roman and Sharon became close and fell in love, Sharon immediately informed Jay and their relationship ended, but Jay remained very close to Sharon and became friends with Roman.  On January 20 1968, Sharon and Roman were married at Chelsea Register Office in London,

 the star-studded wedding was followed by a reception at London's Playboy Club.  That summer Roman introduced Sharon to his friend from Poland, Voyteck Frykowski, who had just moved from New York to Los Angeles with his American girlfriend, Abigail Folger (the heiress of the Folger coffee fortune), although Sharon could barely tolerate Voyteck, she became close friends with Abigail.  Apparentley Roman was never faithful to Sharon, not while they were dating or even after they married, she always told him she did not want to change him, but hoped that he himself would change.  On the surface, they were the perfect Hollywood couple, but Sharon was terribly hurt on the inside and had even considered divorcing him.

Later on in that year, Sharon discovered she was pregnant,

 it was an accidental pregnancy as she was using an IUD, later to be named the coil, she was thrilled with the news but kept it to herself at first as Roman did not want to have children, however, he became excited upon the idea of becoming a father with much reassurance and love from Sharon.  In January 1969, Sharon viewed a property at 10050 Cielo Drive in Beverly Hills,

 which was a beautiful ranch-style home with a pool and a guesthouse.  Sharon loved the house, it was quiet and secluded, away from the glitz of Hollywood, Sharon and Roman moved into the property in February, the guest cottage was 100 feet away from their home which was occupied by William Garretson, who was employed by the owner as a groundskeeper.

Sharon finished filming her last movie and went to join Roman in London where he was working on his next movie.  Sharon left Roman in London on July 20 to head back to the states to prepare for the birth of their child, Roman had to stay behind to complete his movie.  At the moment they parted, Sharon hugged Roman pressing her very pregnant belly against him, they would never again see each other in this life.

Friday August 8 1969, was Sharon's final day on earth and started as any normal day, it was a hot day reaching 90 degrees, Sharon got up around 9.00 am, at around 11.00 am she talked to Roman on the telephone who later said Sharon sounded 'nervous and edgy', no doubt due to heat. 

 Shortly after noon, Voyteck and Abigail arrived back and had lunch, they were currently living with Sharon and Roman, but had been away.  Later on in the day Jay arrived and that evening Sharon, Jay, Voyteck and Abigail dined at El Coyote Mexican Restaurant        

 and left there at 10.00 pm and returned home to Cielo Drive.  Voyteck fell asleep on the living-room couch, Abigail retired to her bedroom to read and Sharon and Jay sat together in Sharon's bedroom talking.  At around 12.30 am, Saturday August 9, three intruders entered the house.  Sadly, the four friends were never to see the sun rise again.

On August 13 1969, Sharon was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, Los Angeles, her baby cradled in her arms. There were over 200 people who attended her funeral including Kirk Douglas, Warren Beatty, Yul Brynner, James Coburn, Peter Sellars and John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and Papas, a tearful and devastated Roman returned for the service.  Apparently, actor Steve McQueen did not attend Sharon's funeral which disappointed Roman.  At the cemetery, he stared at the silver casket then leaned over and kissed it in a farewell to his beloved wife.  Sharon was due to give birth to their son only fifteen days after the murders.