Publisher's Synopsis
In the golden age of the 1950s, Mars Bennett became a shining star. Her natural athletic ability, acrobatic skills, and raw strength made her a natural in the ring. She feared no woman or man, going toe to toe with champions like Mildred Burke, June Byers, the Fabulous Moolah, and even Dory Funk, Sr. But just as quickly as she rose to fame, her life ended in a tragic accident.
Even thought she died young, Mars Bennett crammed enough adventures into her thirty-five years for three lifetimes. The star high school athlete and granddaughter of a radio pioneer chased her dreams of stardom to the big top. She became a clown, an animal performer, a web girl, and a trapeze artist, working for Clyde Beatty and then the Greatest Show on Earth, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Her love of bodybuilding and fight sports led Mars to Bother's Gymnasium in New York City, where the eyes of magazine photographers spied her working out. She became a favorite of the pin-up magazines, showing off her power and strength. She also caught the eye of Mildred Burke and Billy Wolfe, who opened the door for Mars to join the ranks of lady wrestlers.
Mars spent seven years traveling the continent, wrestling everyone from Burke to Mae Young to Cora Combs. She starred in battle royals, tag matches, mixed tag matches with men, and Texas death matches. She also found love with one of her fellow grapplers, Belle Drummond, in a time when such relationships had to be kept hidden from the public.Packed with more than 70 photos, The Girl With The Iron Jaw is a page turner that shines a light on a forgotten star. From sunny Florida to the Northern Territories of Canada; from the flying trapeze to Texas death matches, discover the legend of a star that shone brightly - and all too briefly.
