Esther Williams | 1921-2013

Esther Williams, the swimming champion turned actress who starred in glittering and aquatic Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and ‘50s, has died.   (Bob Carey / Los Angeles Times)

Esther Williams died in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist, Harlan Boll. She was 91.   (Reed Sazon / Associated Press)

Esther Williams is shown in 2002 in the backyard of her Beverly Hills home. The words on the pillow she’s holding, a gift from Barbara Walters, refers to her answer to the question she’s often asked. She hears it so often, in fact, that she had business cards made up with that phrase.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Esther Williams and her husband Ed Bell are shown during the 2002 Gypsy Awards reception.  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For the Los Angeles Times)

Esther Williams, left, and June Allison arrive for the memorial service for Jimmy Stewart at Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church.  (Iris Schneider / Los Angeles Times)

Esther Williams and Jeff Chandler embrace during a scene from 1957’s “Raw Wind in Eden.”  (James Pringle / Associated Press)

Esther Williams, right, poses with a member of the New York City Ballet at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.  (Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images)