The Odd Couples

With spring in the air, we are all eager to get back out and about, reconnect with old friends and maybe even make a few new ones.

In celebration, Foray Fit is taking a look at some famous friendships throughout history that include some interesting surprises!

Scroll down to learn more. 

Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe

You may have already known that Lady Ella and the Blonde Bombshell were fast friends when they met in November of 1954. But you might be surprised to learn how deep that friendship ran. 

In 1954, the First Lady of Song's star was on the rise, but prejudice against her weight kept her from booking some of the country's best venues. Los Angeles' hottest club, the Mocambo, wouldn't book the heavyset Fitzgerald because she was believed to "lack glamour." 

Enter Marilyn. Hot off the success of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Monroe heard of her friend's dilemma and decided to take matters into her own hands. She approached the owner of the Mocambo and insisted he book Fitzgerald for March of 1955, promising to sit in the front row every night of the run and bring along all of her most famous friends. 

Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland accompanied Monroe on opening and Fitzgerald's career took off for the stratosphere. "After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again." 

Read more about their friendship on Biography.com. 

Image: Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe (courtesy of Biography.com)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia

While they may have often found themselves at loggerheads drafting opposing opinions as Justices on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg and Scalia left their differences behind in their chambers. 

The two bonded over many things, but in particular, their shared love of opera. They regularly attended performances together at Kennedy Center. Their passion for Puccini was so notorious that they even inspired composer-librettist Derrick Wang to write the 2015 comic opera Scalia/Ginsburg. 

Read more about their friendship on NPR.org.

Image: Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg (courtesy NPR.org) 

The Social Network

It goes without saying that most of our friendships and extended family relationships have taken a hit in the past few years.

So it should come as no surprise that the health benefits of friendship have been much in the news as our lives begin to bear a greater resemblance to a pre-COVID normal.

In our Spring newsletter, Dr. Kavanagh examines research on the health benefits of social networks.

Take your next step forward with Spring!

Buy your Spring today for $590—with free shipping—and be ready to step back into your social network!