Elfrida von Nardroff was a big winner on the fixed 1950s TV quiz show “Twenty-One.”
- Died: Thursday, November 11, 2021. (Who else died on November 11?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 96 from a stroke, her niece told the New York Times.
- We invite you to share condolences for Elfrida von Nardroff in our Guest Book.
TV quiz show scandal
Elfrida von Nardroff appeared on the fixed 1950s TV quiz show “Twenty-One,” a popular program that was hosted by Jack Barry. She won $220,500, more than any contestant on the show. The most famous participant in the scandal was Charles Van Doren (1926–2019), whose story was the focus of the feature film, “Quiz Show.” A congressional investigation in 1959 proved that contestants on the show were given answers in advance by producers who wanted audience favorites to keep winning for ratings. von Nardroff pleaded guilty to perjury and received a suspended sentence. She worked various jobs before appearing on “Twenty-One” and afterwards worked in advertising and real estate.
Notable quote
“I devoured almanacs, drowned myself in a sea of encyclopedias, spun globes and pored over atlases.” “I haunted the New York Public Library to such an extent that one day a librarian asked me if I was triplets.”
She added, “I was completely determined to run the full circle of knowledge in a matter of months.” – she said in an interview with Leslie Lieber of ‘This Week’ after she lost on the show, claiming her success was based on extensive reading
Tributes to Elfrida von Nardroff
Full obituary: The New York Times
