Date of Birth: October 22, 1942
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: April 8, 2013
Biography
Annette Joanne Funicello was an American actress and singer who rose to prominence as one of the most beloved members of the original “Mickey Mouse Club” in the 1950s. Born in Utica, New York, Funicello moved to Southern California with her family at a young age. Her career began when she was discovered by Walt Disney at the age of 12, and she quickly became a household name with her wholesome image and endearing personality. After her tenure with Disney, Funicello transitioned to a successful music career and became a pop icon with hits like “Tall Paul” and “Pineapple Princess.” She also became a prominent figure in the “beach party” film genre, starring alongside Frankie Avalon in a series of popular movies in the 1960s, including “Beach Party,” “Muscle Beach Party,” and “Bikini Beach.” In the 1980s, Funicello made a successful return to the public eye with a series of television commercials for Skippy peanut butter. However, in 1992, she publicly announced that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease she battled bravely for over two decades. Annette Funicello passed away on April 8, 2013, but her legacy as America’s sweetheart endures.
5 Interesting Facts about Annette Funicello
1. Annette Funicello was personally discovered by Walt Disney himself while performing in a dance recital.
2. She was the only Mouseketeer to remain under contract with Disney after the “Mickey Mouse Club” ended.
3. Her hit single “Tall Paul” was one of the first songs by a female singer to reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
4. Funicello was inducted as a Disney Legend in 1992, recognizing her significant contributions to the company.
5. She was an accomplished equestrian and owned a horse ranch in California.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Annette Funicello
1. “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.”
2. “The mere thought of not being able to do something you’ve always done… that can be difficult.”
3. “I have always thought of Walt Disney as my second father.”
4. “I am all about health… and to me, size is not what defines your health.”
5. “I had my career and my family, and I was happy.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of her career, Annette Funicello’s net worth was estimated to be around $15 million.
Children
Annette Funicello had three children with her first husband, Jack Gilardi: Gina Gilardi, Jack Gilardi Jr., and Jason Gilardi.
Relevant Links
1. [Annette Funicello’s IMDb Page](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002088/
2. [Disney Legends – Annette Funicello](https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/annette-funicello/
3. [Biography.com – Annette Funicello](https://www.biography.com/actor/annette-funicello
4. [The Official Annette Funicello Website](http://www.annetteconnection.com/
