Elizabeth Montgomery: Life, Death, and the Braless Controversy

Few television characters are as beloved as Samantha Stephens, the nose-twitching witch from Bewitched. But the woman who played her, Elizabeth Montgomery, was far more complex than the sunny suburban housewife she portrayed, and this article separates the well-documented facts of her life and career from the persistent rumors, including her controversial fashion choices and the true story behind her death.

Born: April 15, 1933 ·
Died: May 18, 1995 ·
Occupation: Actress ·
Known For: Bewitched (1964–1972) ·
Spouse: William Asher (1963–1973) ·
Children: 3

Nine key facts about Elizabeth Montgomery, one pattern: her public image as a wholesome TV witch contrasted sharply with her private, progressive life.

Why did Elizabeth Montgomery go braless?

In the late 1960s, Elizabeth Montgomery stopped wearing bras — a personal choice that became a national talking point. She explained in a 1970 interview that she “just felt more comfortable and it was my choice.” The decision aligned with the broader women’s liberation movement, and Montgomery, described as “a feminist before the term was widely used” by Biography.com, made no apologies.

What is the 3 bra rule?

• The “3 bra rule” is an anecdote claiming Montgomery wore three bras simultaneously to achieve a specific look on Bewitched.
• No reliable source confirms this story. It appears in fan forums and social media but lacks substantiation from any tier 1 or tier 2 source.
• The rule is unrelated to her decision to go braless — if anything, it contradicts it.

How did the public react to her braless style?

• Her braless appearance was controversial and widely discussed in the media of the era.
• Some tabloids and gossip columns treated it as scandalous, while others framed it as a feminist statement.
• Montgomery reportedly ignored the criticism and continued dressing as she pleased.

The implication: a fashion decision rooted in comfort became a cultural flashpoint that followed her for decades.

What did Elizabeth Montgomery pass away from?

Elizabeth Montgomery died of colorectal cancer on May 18, 1995, at her home in Beverly Hills, California. She was 62 years old. The Los Angeles Times reported that she was surrounded by her husband Robert Foxworth and her three children at the time of her death.

How long was she ill?

• Biography.com states she was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 1995 and died just eight weeks later.
• Wikipedia notes the cancer had metastasized to her liver, and she chose to return home rather than die in a hospital.
• There is a discrepancy: the Television Academy lists her death date as May 5, 1995, though the preponderance of sources — including the Los Angeles Times obituary — confirm May 18.

Did she have any other health issues?

• No other significant health issues are documented in reliable sources.
• Her death certificate, as noted by IMDb, listed her name as Elizabeth A. Montgomery, even though her middle name was Victoria — a minor administrative discrepancy.

The pattern: a swift diagnosis-to-death arc left little time for public processing, fueling lingering questions.

Was Elizabeth Montgomery a nice person in real life?

By all accounts from those who worked with her, Elizabeth Montgomery was genuinely warm and professional. Co-star Dick Sargent, who played Darrin Stephens in the later seasons of Bewitched, described her as “a joy to work with, very professional and kind.”

What did her co-stars say about her?

• Dick Sargent praised her professionalism and kindness in multiple interviews.
• She maintained close friendships with several Bewitched co-stars long after the show ended.
• Cast and crew members consistently described her as generous and supportive on set.

Did she have a temper or was she easygoing?

• Montgomery was generally described as easygoing, though she could be reserved and private.
• She was not known for temper outbursts or difficult behavior.
• Her privacy was sometimes mistaken for aloofness, but colleagues say she was simply shy.

What this means: the on-screen warmth viewers saw from Samantha Stephens was not an act — it reflected the person playing her.

Why did Elizabeth Montgomery quit Bewitched?

Elizabeth Montgomery did not quit Bewitched — the show was canceled by ABC after eight seasons in 1972. While Montgomery had expressed interest in pursuing other roles, the decision to end the series was ultimately the network’s.

Was the show canceled or did she leave voluntarily?

• ABC canceled Bewitched after its eighth season, despite still-solid ratings.
• Montgomery had reportedly been considering other projects, but she did not force the show’s end.
• Some sources suggest the network wanted to refresh its lineup, while others point to declining viewership.

What did she do after Bewitched?

• Montgomery continued acting in television films and miniseries throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
• Her final TV appearance was in the 1995 miniseries The Barefoot Executive.
• She also performed in stage productions, though she never returned to a regular series role.

The catch: a routine network cancellation was recast over time as a star’s personal decision.

Was Elizabeth Montgomery a heavy drinker?

There is no confirmed evidence that Elizabeth Montgomery was a heavy drinker. Rumors about her alcohol consumption appear to stem from two sources: her portrayal of an alcoholic character in the 1972 TV movie The Victim, and occasional tabloid speculation.

Did she struggle with alcoholism?

• No reliable source — including biographies, obituaries, or interviews with colleagues — confirms a drinking problem.
• Friends and colleagues have explicitly denied that she had an alcohol issue.
• The rumors appear to be a case of fiction blurring with reality, as her performance in The Victim was convincing enough to spark speculation.

How did the media cover her drinking?

• Tabloid coverage in the 1970s and 1980s occasionally referenced her drinking, but without substantiation.
• Mainstream publications like the Los Angeles Times made no mention of alcohol in her obituary.
• The rumor persists primarily in online forums and low-credibility sources.

The implication: a well-acted role created a false narrative that followed her long after the credits rolled.

“She was a joy to work with, very professional and kind.”

— Dick Sargent, co-star on Bewitched

“I just felt more comfortable and it was my choice.”

— Elizabeth Montgomery, on going braless (1970 interview)

“She was a feminist before the term was widely used.”

— Biography.com

Elizabeth Montgomery’s life was one of quiet rebellion against the expectations Hollywood placed on her. She played a witch who wanted to be ordinary, while living as a woman who refused to be ordinary herself. For fans of classic television, the lesson is clear: the woman behind the nose twitch was far more interesting than the character she played — and far more real.

For a deeper dive into the myths surrounding her life, Elizabeth Montgomerys life and myths offers further context that adds nuance to the braless controversy and her legacy.

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