Picture this: a small town in North Dakota called Klum, where Angie Dickinson grew up with a love for the silver screen. Her dad worked as the projectionist at the local theater, and Angie got in free. That's where her passion for movies began. But life had its twists and turns. "One day, the theater burned down," Angie once shared on CBS News' Sunday Morning. "And we cried for a week." That was just the beginning of a journey that would take her from the heartland to Hollywood.

Fast forward to today, and Angie Dickinson, now 87, has become a household name. Her career spanned iconic films like Rio Bravo and The Killers, but she truly captured the hearts of America with her role as Sgt. Pepper Anderson on the 1970s hit show Police Woman. She wasn't just an actress; she became a symbol of female empowerment, inspiring countless women to join law enforcement. But Angie's life wasn't without its challenges, and her resilience has always been her greatest strength.

From North Dakota to Hollywood: Angie's Journey

When Angie's family moved from North Dakota to California, her life took a dramatic turn. Winning a beauty contest wasn't just a moment of triumph—it was the beginning of her career in entertainment. Her first big break came when she landed a guest spot on The Colgate Comedy Hour with Frank Sinatra. "That was it," Angie recalled to CBS News. "I said, 'This is for me.'" And she was right. Her career skyrocketed from there, leading her to star alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

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Love, Loss, and Lessons Learned

Angie's personal life was just as captivating as her career. She had high-profile romances with legends like Frank Sinatra and Johnny Carson. But one relationship stood out: her marriage to songwriter Burt Bacharach. Their 15-year marriage was tumultuous, filled with infidelities and heartbreak. "He never should have been married," Angie said. "He never loved me. He had no respect for me." Despite the challenges, they had a daughter, Lea Nikki, born prematurely in 1966. Lea struggled with chronic illnesses and mental health issues, eventually taking her own life at 40. Angie remembers her daughter fondly: "She was very smart, funny, and wonderful, so all my memories of her are my best memories."