Maureen Hingert, a woman of Dutch ancestry, was born on January 9, 1937, in Columbo, Ceylon, which is now known as Sri Lanka. Her father, Lionel Hingert, was a prominent figure in Ceylon's banking industry, serving as the president of the Bank of Ceylon, and he also owned extensive tea plantations. Maureen's mother was Lorna Mabel del Run.
Maureen's early life was marked by her beauty, and she was crowned "Miss Ceylon" in Colombo on June 25, 1955, when she was just 18 years old. This title launchpad her career in the entertainment industry.
Maureen made her screen debut in October 1955, playing a Native American in the film "Pillars of the Sky," which was produced by Universal-International. She then signed with 20th Century-Fox and appeared in the 1956 film "The King and I."
In 1958, Maureen married Mario Armand Zamparelli, a Montrose artist, and the couple had three daughters together: Regina, Marisa, and Andrea. Regina, also known as Gina Zamparelli, would go on to become a renowned concert promoter in Los Angeles.
Maureen and Mario divorced in July 1970, and Maureen later married William J. Ballard in Los Angeles in March 1976.
