Former showgirl shares her history at bingo gatherings

An equal mix of intensity and hope fills the bingo room inside the Fiesta Rancho, 4200 N. Rancho Drive, as each number is called for a chance to win cash prizes. Though typically a normal scenario, the past two months have brought a different oomph into the competitiveness of the game.

In between the smoke-filled air, white, pink and black feathers hang freely on top of the glamorous heads of showgirls paying tribute to one of their own: Gloria Mancilla, better known as Gloria White.

“Miss Gloria is an original Las Vegas showgirl, and her presence is an important part of Las Vegas history,” said Julie Langille, founder of Showgirls Across America, a performance and education company. “Besides being an icon to this city, she’s a good example of what it’s like to grow older with beauty and grace.”

The showgirls, who also include Mallory Huck and Troy Stern, address Mancilla with the highest respect as they enjoy listening to her old Las Vegas stories.

“She’s fascinating,” Huck said. “We love playing bingo with Miss Gloria because she inspires us.”

The Summerlin resident has a lot under her belt.

Mancilla is an original cast member of “Folies Bergere” and hung out with the big shots of old Las Vegas.

She was born in New York to Martha, an original Ziegfeld Follies showgirl, and Max, a professional song man and comedian in vaudeville.

Because her parents traveled often, she was raised by her aunt Sadie and uncle Al.

“She used to run money back and forth as a little girl in her fancy dresses and little matching purse for her Uncle Al, who used to run a numbers racket back in New York from his basement of his deli in Manhattan,” said Mancilla’s daughter, Constanza Areizaga. “My mother had an interesting background growing up.”

When she was age 5, Mancilla found her passion for dancing, which eventually led to her first paid dancing gig at the Mapes Hotel in Reno.

A year later, Mancilla and her sister Joan moved to Las Vegas, where they performed in several shows at the former El Rancho Hotel.

From there, she hit the big time dancing in well-known shows, including “Follies Bergere” at the Tropicana and “Lido de Paris” at the Stardust.

“My mother was often compared to Marilyn Monroe because she had natural blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes,” Areizaga said. “All of the men would fall in love with her. She was a real looker.”

Her 22-year stint as a showgirl captured the eyes of many, including Howard Hughes, who took her out on three dates, and mobster Louis Strauss, better known as Russian Louie.

“Howard Hughes sent my mother mink coats, but she graciously refused, and Russian Louie proposed to her,” Areizaga said.

Mancilla also hung out with headlining entertainers, including Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shecky Greene and isn’t afraid to talk honestly about their personalities.

“Frank Sinatra was too egotistical,” Mancilla said. “But Howard Hughes was very personable. Though he wasn’t a lover, he was just a friend.”

“My mother is very adamant that he was just a friend,” Areizaga said. “She was always a good girl and carried herself with great pride and dignity.”

“Which was rare among most showgirls,” Mancilla added.

After she retired from the showgirl business, Mancilla owned a gift shop and went on to invest in real estate.

At 88, she continues to hold her head high.

“I think bingo has kept her mind active,” Areizaga said. She’s in great shape and still wears a size 5. She’s still very glamorous. In fact, sometimes when we go out to a restaurant, people will stop by and say that she must’ve been a movie star or in the show business. I think Las Vegas’ former glory is represented through her growing older gracefully.”

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To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.