Ever wondered what it was like to travel with Hollywood royalty? Well, buckle up, because Roberta Olden, who spent 18 years working closely with the legendary Ginger Rogers, is about to give you a glimpse into her world. Boarding the Concorde for trips to Europe, Roberta always had a unique ritual. "The Concorde served caviar as an appetizer," Roberta shares with Closer magazine in their latest issue, available now on newsstands. "I didn't care for caviar, but Ginger loved it. So, she'd always take mine!"

From Assistant to Family: A Bond Like No Other

Starting in 1977, Roberta stepped into the role of personal assistant to the Academy Award-winning actress and iconic dance partner of Fred Astaire. But what began as a professional relationship blossomed into a deep friendship over nearly two decades. "I was incredibly lucky because Ginger was such an amazing person," Roberta reflects. "She didn't have children, and she treated me like a daughter. It was truly a blessing to work for someone so kind and genuine."

Life in the Fast Lane: Glamour Meets Grounded Living

Roberta had the chance to experience some of the most luxurious moments imaginable, like traveling by supersonic jet. She also witnessed Ginger's career being celebrated at prestigious events, such as the Kennedy Center Honors in 1992. But despite the glitz and glamour surrounding her, Roberta describes Ginger as a remarkably down-to-earth individual. "She enjoyed cooking, reading, and was an incredibly talented artist and painter," Roberta recalls. "She loved going to church and deeply valued her Christian Scientist faith, which guided her life. She always tried to live according to their teachings."

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A Day in the Life: Behind the Scenes with Ginger

An average day for Roberta involved a mix of responsibilities, from answering fan mail and making travel arrangements to handling other secretarial duties for the star. "I also went shopping with her," Roberta adds with a smile. "Ginger absolutely loved shopping, especially in New York. Whenever we visited Bergdorf Goodman, she'd buy plenty of shoes—she adored them!" she confides. "But what really stood out was that Ginger wasn't one to delegate everyday tasks. She loved going to the grocery store herself. She was hands-on with everything."

Ginger Rogers — Lennox Mclendon/AP/Shutterstock

For leisure, Roberta and Ginger often enjoyed playing tennis and golf together. "Ginger was an incredible athlete. She consistently beat me, even though I was younger," Roberta reminisces with a chuckle. "It was a little discouraging, but she earned it!"

Evenings were spent in pleasant company. Roberta would usually dine with Ginger, with meals prepared either by the star herself or her longtime housekeeper, Erma. After dinner, they would often relax by watching TV together. "Ginger was a big fan of 'Murder, She Wrote,'" Roberta says. "She and Angela Lansbury were close friends."

Confidences Shared: The Heart of Ginger Rogers

Roberta paints Ginger as "a person who knew her own mind," yet there were moments when the actress opened up to her young assistant. "She once told me that Lew Ayres was her one true love," Roberta recalls. Ginger met Lew on the set of the 1933 film Don't Bet on Love and married him the following year. Unfortunately, their union ended in separation in 1936 and divorce in 1940.

When Ginger passed away at the age of 83 in 1995, she left all her cherished memorabilia to Roberta, including her prized possession: the Best Actress Oscar she won for her role in Kitty Foyle in 1940. "I cherish it so much," Roberta says emotionally. "She was such a wonderful person to be around, and I still miss her every day."

To dive deeper into this story and discover more, grab the latest issue of Closer magazine, now available on newsstands!