Meet Dame Edna Everage, Housewife Megastar

Dame Edna Everage, or simply Dame Edna, is a comedy character created by Barry Humphries, an Australian entertainer. Humphries has been playing Dame Edna for over 50 years, first introducing her on stage in 1955 at Melbourne University Union Theatre. Back then, she was called Mrs. Norm Everage, a housewife from a Melbourne suburb. Today, Dame Edna still describes herself as a housewife, adding to it her other achievements: "investigative journalist, social anthropologist, talk show host, swami, children's book illustrator, spin doctor, Megastar, and Icon."

Dame Edna is known worldwide for her pinkish hair, trademark fancy eyeglasses, quick wit, and a bit of bluntness. She has hosted and appeared in numerous shows, such as The Dame Edna Experience (1987-1989) and Dame Edna's Neighborhood Watch (1992). The newest one is called The Dame Edna Treatment, it was launched in UK in March 2007 and is centered around Edna's health spa where she invites famous guests.

Dame Edna resents being considered a fictional character, going so far as to say that it is "repulsive" for a male entertainer to dress up as a woman. She calls her creator Barry Humphries her "manager." Indeed, the character has pretty much obtained a life of her own. Dame Edna has published an autobiography, My Gorgeous Life, and several other books; she has appeared in movies, television shows, and on Broadway; she has written a satirical advice column in a magazine; she has her official website.

Edna's relationship with her "manager" is a rocky one, as you can see from this historic video where they are interviewed together for the first time. Once, Edna had complained about Humphries losing or possibly selling for profit some of her memorabilia, asking her fans to help her replace the lost items.

According to the biography on her website, Dame Edna is a widow who has three grownup children (some other sources say four). Only one of them, Valmai, has been seen though so far, helping to run the spa in The Dame Edna Treatment show. Another sidekick who had appeared with Edna many times is her stern, ever-silent elderly maid Madge Allsop (Emily Perry, who started playing the part at the age of 80).

Dame Edna Everage has a street named after her in her home tome of Melbourne, Dame Edna's Place. Her wax figure can be seen in Madame Tussaud's waxwork museum in London.

In June 2007 Barry Humphries was honored by the Queen, he became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) "for services to entertainment."