Miss USA and American actress LEONA GAGE but had the title stripped died in Los Angeles.

Leona Gage died of heart failure at Sherman Oaks hospital on Tuesday (05th Oct 10), son Robert Kaminer informed the associated Press.

Gage's Miss Fashion and Beauty parade disgrace probably brought her more recognition than if she had kept the crown.

Mary Leona Gage born in Texas, appeared as Miss Maryland USA in the Miss Fashion and Beauty competition in Long Beach, Calif. Also lied about her age - saying to parade officials she was 21 when she was 18 and she didn't even have a boyfriend.

Soon after her story was exposed. She had been already been married twice, both times at age 14 - the first was rapidly canceled - and had her second child at 16, all banned for the resume of a Miss Fashion Beauty parade contestant. Gage said she was used to such clandestine.

Gage took benefit of the interest that came with the lost crown and made many television outward shows, including a highly rated sign on the Ed Sullivan Show.

While captivating the fondness of Sullivan and much of the nation, Gage got ample of hate mail too.

She had a complicated life in consequent decades: Six unsuccessful marriages, lost protection of her five children, two of whom died before her, drug misuse and suicide attempts.

But Kaminer said she was proud to have had five children who went on to wealthy lives, including a commercial real estate agent and a lieutenant - colonel in the army.