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By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief
For decades, the striking image of a showgirl in a mushroom cloud swimsuit has captivated historians, pop culture enthusiasts, and Las Vegas aficionados alike. Known as “Miss Atomic Bomb,” the mysterious woman in this iconic 1957 photograph has long been misidentified—until now.
Captured by Las Vegas News Bureau photographer Don English
After 25 years of exhaustive research, historian and Atomic Museum founding member Robert Friedrichs has uncovered the true identity of the woman behind the famous image: Anna Lee Mahoney of the Bronx, New York. This groundbreaking revelation not only solves a decades-old mystery but also provides a deeper understanding of the cultural crossroads where entertainment, history, and the Atomic Age converged.
A Photograph That Defined an Era
Captured by Las Vegas News Bureau photographer Don English on May 24, 1957, the “Miss Atomic Bomb” image was staged as part of the city’s promotional efforts during Operation Plumbbob at the Nevada Test Site. The test series, one of the most significant in U.S. history, occurred during a time when atomic culture permeated American life—from fashion to film to the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas.
The photograph features a radiant showgirl standing triumphantly in the Nevada desert, her costume adorned with a whimsical cotton mushroom cloud. The visual was a perfect reflection of the era’s fascination with nuclear power—equal parts spectacle and scientific ambition. Over the decades, the image became one of the most requested in the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) Archive, a testament to its lasting impact on both history and pop culture.
Solving a 68-Year-Old Mystery
For years, the woman in the photo was believed to be Lee A. Merlin, a name widely circulated but never fully verified. Friedrichs, driven by a passion for historical accuracy, enlisted the help of a professional detective agency to uncover the truth. The investigation revealed that “Lee A. Merlin” was actually a stage name used by Mahoney. Through birth records, social security documentation, and communication with a living relative, Friedrichs was able to definitively confirm her identity.
Mahoney, born in 1927, trained under renowned ballet instructor Madame Bronislava Nijinska before moving to Las Vegas, where she became a lead dancer at the Sands Hotel Copa showroom. In the early 1960s, she left the entertainment world, married, and relocated to Hawaii, where she worked as a mental health counselor. Later in life, she moved to California and dedicated her time to fundraising for student scholarships. She passed away in 2001 after a battle with cancer, never knowing the enduring fascination surrounding her image.
Honoring the Legacy of Miss Atomic Bomb
To commemorate this discovery, the Atomic Museum will debut a special exhibit in summer 2025, detailing Friedrichs’ relentless search and the historical significance of “Miss Atomic Bomb.” The display, organized in collaboration with the Las Vegas Archives, will showcase never-before-seen documents, photographs, and artifacts related to Mahoney’s life and the famous photoshoot.
“‘Miss Atomic Bomb’ captured the imagination of a generation and became a global symbol of the Atomic Age,” said Friedrichs. “To now put a name and story to her face is a tribute to the enduring cultural legacy of that extraordinary time in history.”
Joseph Kent, deputy director and curator of the Atomic Museum, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of preserving such stories. “Las Vegas played a vibrant and unique role in the Atomic Age, and ‘Miss Atomic Bomb’ has always been a symbol of that era’s colorful history,” he said. “Thanks to Robert Friedrichs’ tireless dedication, we now have the opportunity to connect her story to the history we preserve at the Atomic Museum.”
With this revelation, Anna Lee Mahoney finally takes her rightful place in history—not just as the face of an era, but as a woman whose story is now, at last, complete.
To see Miss Atomic Bomb live.. check out the Atomic Museum in Las Vegas.