Frances Westerman, the daughter of William and Lillie Mae Westerman, was born into a family that would face significant challenges early on. Tragedy struck when Frances was just ten years old, as her father, William, succumbed to tuberculosis, leaving her mother, Lillie Mae, to navigate the world alone. In an effort to provide a better life for her daughter, Lillie Mae made the difficult decision to relocate the family to Los Angeles.
As Frances grew older, she faced another significant challenge when, at the age of 14, she suffered a severe skull fracture in an automobile accident. While recovering from her injuries, she was given a Charlie McCarthy doll, which would later become a symbol of her connection to the famous ventriloquist and comedian, Edgar Bergen.
Frances' early life was marked by both tragedy and triumph. She graduated from Los Angeles High School, where she was an active member of the school's pom-pom squad. At the age of 19, she found herself in the audience of Edgar Bergen's popular radio program, where she was invited to join a member of his staff as their guest. Sitting in the front row, Frances' striking features and long legs caught the attention of the 39-year-old star, who was immediately smitten. After a year of long-distance courtship, Frances and Edgar Bergen were married in Mexico, marking the beginning of a lifelong partnership that would be filled with love, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the art of ventriloquism.
