Legendary burlesque performer Tempest Storm dies age 93

Tempest Storm, the burlesque dancer credited with bringing ‘the art of striptease to the masses’, has died at the age of 93. 

The flame-haired bombshell, who had her 44DD breasts insured for $1 million, passed away at home in Las Vegas Tuesday afternoon following a short illness.

Storm had a successful stage career spanning more than six decades, and was still headlining shows in Sin City into her 80s. 

The busty beauty became a Las Vegas legend, dubbed ‘the Queen of Erotic Dancers’. She boasted famous friends including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and Marilyn Monroe.  

Storm also had a short-lived romance with Elvis Presley and even claimed to have had an affair with President John F. Kennedy. 

In a 2014 interview with DailyMail.com, Storm stated that the secret to her success was being ‘sexy and classy’ at the same time. 

‘You need to be sexy and tease the audience,’ she stated. ‘Make them believe that they are a part of your life at that time. ‘

‘I’ve been around more than 60 years and had the longest career of anyone in the business. There’s nothing I haven’t done, I’ve been through it all.’ 

Tempest Storm, the burlesque dancer credited with bringing ‘the art of striptease to the masses’, has died at the age of 93. She is pictured in 2012 at the age of 84

In a 2014 with DailyMail.com, Storm stated that the secret to her success was being 'sexy and classy' at the same time. She is seen on stage in 1954

In a 2014 with DailyMail.com, Storm stated that the secret to her success was being ‘sexy and classy’ at the same time. She is seen on stage in 1954

Storm enjoyed a short-lived romance with Elvis Presley in 1957. The pair are pictured together that year

Storm enjoyed a short-lived romance with Elvis Presley in 1957. The pair are pictured together that year

Sexy at 75! Storm is seen at the 2003 Miss Exotic World Pageant putting her incredible body on show in lacy lingerie

Sexy at 75! Storm is seen at the 2003 Miss Exotic World Pageant putting her incredible body on show in lacy lingerie 

Storm was born Annie Blanche Banks in Eastman, Georgia back in 1928.

The daughter of a sharecropper, she left school in the seventh grade and had two failed marriages by the age of 16. 

Soon after, she set out for the bright lights of Los Angeles, hoping to make it as an actress, but a burlesque career beckoned. 

According to The Las Vegas Review Journal, Storm was working as a cocktail waitress when her voluptuous frame attracted the attention of stage manager Lilian Hunt. 

Storm subsequently began a career in burlesque, and quickly became the highest-paid dancer in the country. 

‘I didn’t want to be just a flash in the pan. I told myself that if I was going to make it, I was going to be a big star. I had a lot of drive. I wanted to be the best,’ she told DailyMail.com in 2014.

By 1956 – aged just 28 – Storm was already raking in $100,000 a year. She soon began taking her shows on the road, and even performed at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. 

She had her most famous assets – her eye-popping breasts -insured by Lloyd’s of London for $1million. 

Storm frequently put on shows in Las Vegas, the city that eventually became her home on a permanent basis.  

Storm (right) is seen with fellow dancer Bettie Page in the 1950s

Storm (right) is seen with fellow dancer Bettie Page in the 1950s 

Storm (seen at the bottom right) is pictured in a Teaserama poster published in 1955

Storm (seen at the bottom right) is pictured in a Teaserama poster published in 1955  

Designer James Berry strips tape and and jersey form from Storm's body following a show in the 1950s

Designer James Berry strips tape and and jersey form from Storm’s body following a show in the 1950s

She had her most famous assets - her eye-popping breasts -insured by Lloyd's of London for $1million

She had her most famous assets – her eye-popping breasts -insured by Lloyd’s of London for $1million

As one of the world’s most desired women, Storm’s love life also attracted column inches. 

Her most famous fling was with Elvis Presley in the 1957 – a romance she recounted in her interview with DailyMail.com 

‘I was mixing in high circles and a lot of big names would come and watch my shows. That is how I met ‘Elvis the Pelvis”, she proclaimed. 

‘I was performing at The Dunes – now the Bellagio – and Elvis came back stage to have photos taken with the performer, but I was in a hurry as I had friends coming to visit from Texas.

‘I was stood there with Elvis Presley and I just said ‘will this take long?’ I was standing next to the King and complaining about being in a hurry.

‘He looked at me with those beautiful eyes and said ‘may I join you?’ He was a real Southern gentleman – it was absolutely fantastic.’

Storm also claimed to have had an affair with John F. Kennedy, but never disclosed the year it was alleged to have taken place. 

'I didn't want to be just a flash in the pan. I told myself that if I was going to make it, I was going to be a big star. I had a lot of drive. I wanted to be the best': Storm is seen on stage in 1954

‘I didn’t want to be just a flash in the pan. I told myself that if I was going to make it, I was going to be a big star. I had a lot of drive. I wanted to be the best’: Storm is seen on stage in 1954

In 1959 – the year before Kennedy became President – Storm married actor Herb Jeffries, with whom she had one daughter.  

The couple divorced in 1967, and Storm was reported to be estranged from her only child at the time of her death. 

During her 2014 interview with DailyMail.com, which took place when she was 86 years old, Storm did not discuss motherhood. 

However, she did disclose that she was still performing private shows and credited her longevity to her healthy lifestyle. 

‘I’ve never smoked, drank or taken drugs – that’s why I have lasted in this business so long,’ she told DailyMail.com. 

And while the relationship with her daughter may have been frayed, Storm said she was grateful to be a role model to legions of young burlesque dancers. 

‘I really appreciate the praise I get from young dancers who tell me that I am an inspiration to them. 

‘When I meet them they are so sweet, they just adore me. They cry and hug me. It’s very touching. I’m thrilled that these girls see me as an inspiration,’ she said.  

‘I tell them they have to be sexy, but to be classy. Everything I have ever done, I have done with class. Nothing vulgar.’

As of 2014, Storm was still performing private shows and credited her longevity to her healthy lifestyle. She is pictured in 2014

'I really appreciate the praise I get from young dancers who tell me that I am an inspiration to them': Storm is seen in Las Vegas in 2014

‘I really appreciate the praise I get from young dancers who tell me that I am an inspiration to them’: Storm is seen in Las Vegas in 2014 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk