Elizabeth Eden

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Elizabeth Debbie "Liz" Eden (August 19, 1946 – September 29, 1987) was an American transsexual woman whose husband John Wojtowicz attempted to rob a bank to pay for her sex reassignment surgery. The incident was made into the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon.[1] The character Leon Shermer (played by Chris Sarandon) is based on her.[2]

Eden, then known as Ernest Aron, and Wojtowicz were married on December 4, 1971 in Greenwich Village in a Roman Catholic ceremony. At the time of Wojtowicz's attempted robbery of a Chase Manhattan bank branch in Brooklyn, New York, on August 22, 1972, she was in a psychiatric institution, following a series of suicide attempts. Eden was not previously aware of his plans.

After the failed arrest, Wojtowicz was sentenced to 20 years, although he was released in April 1987; while imprisoned, he sold the movie rights to the story for $7,500 and subsequently was able to help finance Eden's sex reassignment surgery.

Eden, born in Ozone Park, Queens, died of pneumonia resulting from AIDS in Rochester, New York. Her personal papers and photographs were donated posthumously to the National Archive of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender History at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Centre on June 14, 1990.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Staff report (October 1, 1987). Elizabeth Eden, Transsexual Who Figured in 1975 Movie. New York Times
  2. ^ Photos, Lisa. The Dog and the Last Real Man: An Interview with John S. Wojtowicz Journal of Bisexuality Volume: 3 Issue: 2

[edit] External links

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