Phyllis McGuire a frank interview with Barbara Walters in her Las Vegas mansion

On September 8, 1989, Barbara Walters was welcomed into the palatial and lavish home of entertainer Phyllis McGuire of the singing McGuire Sisters. In one of her most revealing interviews the sometimes controversial 'one in the middle' of the singing McGuire Sisters, shows off her jewelry, clothing, and antique furniture collections, shares details of her affair with Mafia kingpin, Sam Giancana, and offers a tour of her mansion with its
replicas of The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triumph.

[@marsha3891]

They have a special place in my heart. They not only are from my mothers hometown, she taught 1 of them piano an went to school with them in Middletown, Ohio

[@jimkey920]

There is no doubt that Phyllis McGuire is very intelligent and a talented investor. It is her money and she can spend it any way she wants. The girls had huge talent and were artists in performance. I love all three!

[@risingxstarlet5035]

This is a wonderful interview! Thank you so much for posting, really enjoyed this.

[@victordollosacruz4693]

Besides being a great singer, Phyllis McGuire is very shrewd in almost every aspect of her life . . .

[@Genetivetexan]

When I saw them in Las Vegas in the 1970s I thought that Phyllis resembled Angie Dickinson.

[@waynebrasler]

i met them when they were appearing in Chicago I guess two decades ago or so. I've never seen before or since an act so carefully conceived, rehearsed and presented (which is what Joni James, who was in town visiting family also said). Up close, they were gorgeous, intelligent, witty and still nice Midwestern girls. There are some artists who are swallowed by show business and some artists who keep in touch with who they are. The McGuires definitely kept in touch with who they were.

[@OldHippieChickTheRabbitHole]

What a cool broad from the good old days! Still is! I totally understand her attraction to a man like Giancana....And even if he did help fund her extravagant lifestyle, she's not talking! Seriously; sometimes it's easy to overlook the private "business" of those we love. She was pretty innocent, so more blind to it.....

[@bryantmartin1907]

[@LordWoolley]

Where do all the things go when these rich people die? I mean like the shoes and even small items? Surely by the time they die there grandkids don't want these vintage items and I doubt they go to Goodwill or sell in an estate sale. Is it thrown out? All that custom stuff. Eiffel tower, curtains etc...and this is just one of many rich people with all this crazy stuff.

[@TheOneTrueKaliban]

Heartbreaking. This is a screamingly obvious manifestation of a tragic, insatiable hunger. God bless you, Miss McGuire.

[@MARCBSTN]

Phyllis is breathtakingly beautiful in this interview. Barbara is wearing a loud "look at me" outfit

[@swarzeoz2550]

+Marc g Given the fact that this is a VERY old interview, and Barbara was wearing clothes that were indeed fashionable back then. So yea, her outfit is probably "dated". That said, that house is revolting. Hardly what I would call timeless and elegant. More like garish and over the top. But Barbara didn't have an affair with a mafioso, and maybe that is the style you prefer.

[@nursemedic17]

Love the McGuire sisters!

[@Rajnoma]

So what if Phyllis has all this wealth? Many movie and singing(as well as sports!) stars live in great wealth because of their talent or skills. Many do give to charities and support worthy causes, thus helping the sick and the poor. I love the tunes of the McGuire Sisters!

[@StevieJewel]

Phyllis is elegant! :)

[@Retroscoop]

As a performer, she and her sisters were top notch. The rest started applepie, and ended up in complete, ridiculous decadence and a total lack of taste as most rich people have. You can't have it all.

[@CharlotteFairchild]

She was born on Feb. 14!

[@melaniehamilton6550]

Well, seeing her overblown house and gaudy jewelry explains a lot. No taste in personal/home furnishings or men. She's very pretty but so would most people be if they could spend whatever they want on cosmetic surgery, hairdressers, makeup artists, etc. She's all show business. Much smarter than I thought she'd be though. I know my parents were big fans of the McGuire sisters way back when. They were very talented, no question about it. "So-called mob"? Is she nuts? Maybe she still believes what J. Edgar Hoover believed for so long (until he was forced to admit his error): There's no such thing as the mafia or organized crime. Right.

[@doniellestenson5231]

To her credit she is a woman with common sense and innate business sense.Sound investments and intelligent financial advice can turn molehills into mountains.The fact she is a former friend to a man of dubious reputation is irrelevent. Many in the entertainment industry become financially successful.

[@PokeyHauntus]

Very cool.

[@PRR5406]

Ostentacious and sad. Consider what that money could do for our nations schools, literacy, vaccinations. Money is like manure; Spread it around and it does good, leave it in a pile and it stinks. Phyllis, how much do you need?

[@murieltainter5936]

+PRR5406 I will never understand why the average joe schmo is always telling people with money how they should spend it. It is none of your business...they earned it, they can spend it. Do you donate 85 % of your weekly income to do good ? why not ?

[@daisyflowers9334]

+PRR5406 Why Sad?.. You know I don't understand People who think the same as you. It isn't a zero sum game. Just because Phyllis McGuire had the wealth that She had, doesn't mean that She didn't do anything for anyone else. Why is it, that it has become so popular, in the U S A to castigate those who have Money. How much does anyone need!?... This is a very subjective question. All we need is water, food, and some sort of shelter from the elements, and some kind of covering for our bodies, and air to breath. This is all we need, to survive. The next step up is a modest house, with very modest furniture, utilities, a basic telephone to communicate, and a basic car, and gas to put in it. This is all we need to live in today's world. Everything else is a want. It's too bad that for at least two generations of our People, have been taught to look down on and or envy those who have more. It didn't used to be this way.

[@LocoCanada]

+PRR5406 Fuck off. She earned her money. Why don't you start by giving away all of your money then?

[@PRR5406]

Jesus was a leftist, too. I'll be judged with him.