Gloria Root Bio
Gloria Root was an American urban expert, glamour and nude model. She was born on May 28, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois. Playboy named her its December 1969 Playmate at 21. Her appearance came during the 1960s, as Playboy grew into a major force in American magazine publishing.
Root had natural breasts, blue eyes and brown hair. Her measurements are 34-23-34.
Her centerfold, photographed by Pompeo Posar, captured her timeless elegance and sophistication, but Gloria's true legacy extended far beyond Playboy's pages.
Gloria began her higher education at the University of Illinois, later transferring to Northwestern University to major in political science. However, her academic pursuits didn't stop there. She earned degrees in fine arts and architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, followed by Master's Degrees in City Planning and Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.
Her intelligence and drive took her far beyond the pages of Playboy. In 1980, she launched her own urban planning firm, Planning Analysis and Development, based in San Francisco.
Root was also deeply involved in public policy, serving on the board of the San Francisco Urban Planning + Research Association from 1990 to 1998, promoting sustainable urban development and good governance.
However, Gloria's life had its share of twists and turns. In 1970, she made headlines after being arrested in Greece for smuggling 38 pounds of hashish across the border from Turkey. She served 10 months in prison, an experience that undoubtedly shaped her perspective and resilience.
In her personal life, she married Richard Dodson in 1984, and they welcomed a daughter, Francesca, in 1986. Though divorced later in life, Gloria continued to focus on her career and family until her passing from cancer in 2006.
Gloria Root was more than just a Playmate-she was a visionary, a leader, and a trailblazer in urban development. She proved that beauty and intelligence could go hand in hand, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both the Playboy world and the cities she helped shape.
