Best Dallas Real Estate Story of the Year: Ebby Halliday Turns 100

The First Lady of Dallas Real Estate, Ebby Halliday, turned 100 this year on March 9 and the whole city celebrated! Ebby’s birthday week was jam packed with luncheons and parties and celebrations, all totally appropriate for the most beloved woman in Dallas! The best was the gala celebration at the Meyerson Symphony Center for 1000 guests with the magic that only Todd Fiscus can create. From the patron party at the home of Jeff Rich and Jan Miller to the gala itself, complete with cotton candy, popcorn and bubble gum martinis, it was truly a memorable night.  The theme was a circus because Ebby, of course, once rode ponies bareback in her native Kansas. She also sold Wolverine Salve. (I have a jar she gave me; it’s framed!) The moving circus cake by Frosted Art was a masterpiece!

On February 23, Ebby birthday week kicked off with a fund-raiser at the Hilton Anatole. Ebby dressed in her signature St. John couture, an elegant black gown, and was escorted into the ballroom on the arm of Roger Staubach.

Talk about the men at that event: it was an Ebby Centennial All Male Revue — Ross Perot, Jim Keyes, Denny Carreker, Rep. Pete Sessions, Kern Wildenthal, Scott Murray and Ken Cooper in sparkling black top hats. They sang a rendition of “Hello, Ebby,” sneaking peaks at cheat sheets. Most were on hand for the Meyerson bash.

Even the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders did a routine, and Ebby gasped when the line did unison splits.

Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said he had honored many people during his four years in office, “but I saved the best for last.”

Then Roger Staubach toasted Ebby: “We love ya. We trust ya. And we thank you for your example.”

Tony Orlando sang “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ’Round the Old Oak Tree,” which was the favorite dance tune of Ebby and her late husband, Maurice Acers.

Even Warren Buffett, Ebby’s “boyfriend” made an appearance on the ballroom’s big screen, strumming his ukulele and singing “Happy Birthday” as 500 of Ebby’s generous friends settled into their seats. I don’t think the city of Dallas has ever partied as hard!