Radio and Television personality. Born Ruth Reeves, her greatest fame was between 1949 and 1967 when her variety-talk show, "The 50-50 Club," aired daily at noon on WLW-TV and radio. During the 1951-52 season the show was also seen nationally on NBC and in 1957 became the first program to be televised in color on a daily basis in Ohio. Known for her flowered covered microphone, she was the foundress of "The Ruth Lyons Children's Christmas Fund" raising millions of dollars in donations from viewers providing toys, games, parties and medical equipment to hospitals throughout her viewing area. This fund, still in her name, continues to raise funds for hospitalized children's needs. Her autobiography, "Remember With Me," was published by Doubleday in 1969. In her memoirs there is no mention of her first marriage to John Lyons. After her second marriage to Herman Newman, a professor at the University of Cincinnati, she remained "Ruth Lyons" professionally. Their only child, Candy Newman, died of cancer at the age of 21 in 1966 which led directly to Miss Lyons' retirement on January 27, 1967. She never made another public appearance and remained in seclusion until her death in 1988.
Radio and Television personality. Born Ruth Reeves, her greatest fame was between 1949 and 1967 when her variety-talk show, "The 50-50 Club," aired daily at noon on WLW-TV and radio. During the 1951-52 season the show was also seen nationally on NBC and in 1957 became the first program to be televised in color on a daily basis in Ohio. Known for her flowered covered microphone, she was the foundress of "The Ruth Lyons Children's Christmas Fund" raising millions of dollars in donations from viewers providing toys, games, parties and medical equipment to hospitals throughout her viewing area. This fund, still in her name, continues to raise funds for hospitalized children's needs. Her autobiography, "Remember With Me," was published by Doubleday in 1969. In her memoirs there is no mention of her first marriage to John Lyons. After her second marriage to Herman Newman, a professor at the University of Cincinnati, she remained "Ruth Lyons" professionally. Their only child, Candy Newman, died of cancer at the age of 21 in 1966 which led directly to Miss Lyons' retirement on January 27, 1967. She never made another public appearance and remained in seclusion until her death in 1988.
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