Iconic 'Miss Liberty' Sondra Fortunato Has Died: Reports

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Sondra Fortunato, best known as Miss Liberty and a larger-than-life icon in Toms River, has died, according to multiple reports.

Fortunato had been battling cancer, according to a GoFundMe campaign she had set up seeking assistance with the medical expenses. She died Thursday at Community Medical Center, the Asbury Park Press reported, quoting her husband, John Ogden. She was 75 years old.

Fortunato was a fixture at dozens of local events and parades, including the annual Toms River Halloween parade, where she always rode on top of her sign-covered car.

Her car was often seen around Ocean County with its signs proclaiming her many titles, often ones she created, according to the GoFundMe: "Miss Super Bowl" and "Miss World Series," "Miss Body Beautiful USA," "Miss Hurricane Relief" and of course, "Miss Liberty" for the Fourth of July.

Fortunato's reach wasn't limited to Ocean County or New Jersey. She first gained attention in the 1970s, showing up as an unofficial mascot at the Giants and Jets games, always in an elaborate dress and wearing a crown or a tiara and sash. She made appearances at multiple Super Bowls, NJ.com reported in a 2014 profile on her.

Her appearances at Giants and Jets games often drew roars from the crowd, the NJ.com profile said. She appeared at Major League Baseball games as well, always decked out in ballgowns with a myriad of self-made signs.

Among her last public appearances as she battled cancer were the Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Toms River High School North graduation in June 2023, and the 2023 Toms River Halloween Parade.

She wrote that she loved being a VIP guest at the graduation and donated her crown "which was worn and rewarded to her in the Miss America USA and Miss Liberty contests."

"Luckily she had two crowns so Sondra dedicated them to the National Honor Society," she wrote in a Facebook post recapping the graduation. "Thanx for all your love from students and faculty 2023 was a great day. Glad you loved my gown also designed by famous designers and some students to make me look great. Love to all."

She loved the attention, celebrating being profiled in multiple publications from USA Today and the New York Times to Weird NJ and local media sites. She never shied away from fans or from sharing a moment with them.

"It does not matter what a mess my hair is I never say no to a photo!" she wrote in a Facebook comment in 2020, on one of her posts reminiscing about her fans. "Lucky me God always sends me Angels every day."

Fortunato was a graduate of Toms River High School South and Trenton State College, where she received a degree in education, according to a tribute posted by attorney Nicholas J. Guiliano.

She was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Lillian Fortunato, a sister, Anita Lombardi, and her brother, Charles F. Fortunato. She is survived by her husband John P. Ogden, and her sister, Dolores Cottone.

Funeral services will be private, the tribute said.