Dian Parkinson
Dian Parkinson (born Dianna Lynn Batts; November 30, 1944 in Jacksonville, North Carolina) is an American former model who worked as a prize presenter on The Price Is Right.
Career history
In 1965, while living in Falls Church, Virginia, she won the Miss District of Columbia USA title and competed as Diana Batts in the Miss USA 1965 pageant, where she placed fourth runner-up.[1] Parkinson won the 1965 Miss World USA contest.[2] She went on to represent the United States in the international Miss World contest, and was first runner-up to Lesley Langley of the United Kingdom.[3]
She traveled during 1965 with the Bob Hope USO Show including performances in Vietnam during late December 1965 and also served as Queen of the 1965 Bob Hope Desert Classic golf tournament.[4]
From 1975 to 1993, Parkinson was a Barker's Beauty model on the U.S. television show The Price Is Right. Her 18-year tenure on the show was among the longest of any of the models, second only to Janice Pennington, who lasted on the show for more than 28 years.[5]
Departure from The Price Is Right
Parkinson left the show in 1993, supposedly to "pursue other interests", as host Bob Barker announced during her final appearance.[6]
The following year (1994), Parkinson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court (case no. BC106366) against Barker for sexual harassment, claiming a three-year sexual relationship was extorted by threats of firing from The Price Is Right which resulted in a miscarriage. The suit was withdrawn in April 1995, Parkinson claiming it was too costly and had taken a toll on her health.[7]
Playboy
Parkinson was the cover girl of Playboy in December 1991, and again in May 1993.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Miss D.C. Captures A Miss U.S.A. Title With Tresses Intact". 1965-08-23. p. B9. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ^ Miss World USA Titleholders, jimmyspageantpage.com; accessed April 2, 2017.
- ^ Miss World 2008, missworld.tv; accessed April 2, 2017.
- ^ Bob Hope Chrysler Classic - The Tradition of the Classic Girls, bhcc.com; accessed April 2, 2017.
- ^ Barker's Beauties - Golden-Road.net FAQ, golden-road.net; accessed September 16, 2017.
- ^ June 18, 1993, golden-road.net; accessed September 16, 2017.
- ^ Bob Barker to face courtroom battle after model's suit ruled valid Archived 2009-03-05 at the Wayback Machine, v; accessed April 2, 2017.