Jeanne Robertson

Early life Jeanne Flinn Swanner was born at the Naval Hospital Boston in Chelsea, Massachusetts and raised in Graham, North Carolina, She was an avid basketball player. and went on to be named Miss Congeniality in that year's Miss America competition. As of 2021, Jeanne Swanner, at 6 foot 2 inches, is still the tallest contestant ever to participate in the Miss America pageant. Robertson credited her reign as the catalyst for her career.

Following her Miss North Carolina reign, Robertson used her scholarship to fund her college education at Auburn University, where she majored in physical education, joined Alpha Gamma Delta, and played college basketball. Robertson graduated in 1967, and in 1990 she was inducted as an alumni member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Circle at Auburn University.

Career Robertson taught physical education for eight years in North Carolina.

Although she began her public speaking career with her pageant title, Robertson achieved much more national attention as a humorist and speaker. Her anecdotes have been broadcast regularly on satellite radio comedy channels, including XM Radio's Laugh USA, Sirius Radio's Blue Collar Comedy and its Family Comedy Channel,

On April 29, 2008, she spoke at the White House for National Volunteer Week to honor the 1,300 volunteers who donate time to work at the White House.

Personal life Jeanne married Walter Bowline III in 1965; they had one son and divorced in the early 1970s. a graduate of Duke University where, at tall he played on its basketball team, serving as its captain in 1959. Jerry received his master's degree and doctorate at the University of North Carolina;

Robertson's son, Walter Bailey "Beaver" Bowline, is a 1989 graduate of Elon University, where Jeanne was a trustee. Two of Jeanne's grandchildren also attended Elon. Jeanne and Jerry Robertson were both members of Elon University's Phoenix Club, which supports the athletic program,

Robertson was a member of the Methodist church. She said her favorite television series was The Andy Griffith Show.

Books Robertson authored four books: Rocking Humor Fabulously Funny Looking for Humor Just for Fun Flat Out Funny Southern Style Talkin' Funny Not Just for Laughs Here She Is

Many short segments of her speeches (individual stories, outtakes, etc.) are also available on Jeanne's YouTube channel, as well as recordings of her 2020–2021 livestream series "Live from the Back Porch".