Born: November 18, 1929 (St. Louis, Missouri)
Died: March 26, 2013
Biography:
Patricia McCormick (November 18, 1929 – March 26, 2013) was an American bullfighter and is thought to be the first woman in North America to fight bulls professionally. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, McCormick developed a fascination with bullfighting at the age of seven when her family took a trip to Mexico City. This initial encounter ignited a lifelong passion that would shape her future.
The McCormick family eventually settled in Big Spring, Texas, where Patricia’s father secured a position as chief engineer at Cosden Petroleum. It was during her time in Texas that McCormick’s interest in bullfighting reignited. She enrolled at Texas Western College in El Paso and immersed herself in the study of art and music. Additionally, she frequently crossed the border to the Mexican city of Ciudad Juárez, where she rediscovered bullfighting.
Determined to pursue her passion, Patricia McCormick made the bold decision to leave college and pursue a career as a bullfighter. On September 9, 1951, at the age of 21, she made her debut as a bullfighter in Juárez. Her undeniable talent and bravery swiftly garnered attention, and she soon joined the Matador’s Union. In January 1952, McCormick made history as the first American woman to become a professional Matadora.
Over the course of her decade-long career, Patricia McCormick participated in 300 corridas (bullfights) in Mexico and Venezuela. However, her path was not without obstacles. In a profession known for its dangers, she faced countless challenges. Bulls gored her six times, with one incident in September 1954 in Ciudad Acuña leaving her so severely injured that a priest administered last rites. Despite the risks and the adversity she faced, McCormick refused to be deterred. However, her progress within the bullfighting world was limited. As no male matador was willing to sponsor her, she was unable to rise above the apprentice rank of novillera.
In 1962, Patricia McCormick fought her final bull in San Antonio, Texas, marking the end of her professional bullfighting career. Nonetheless, her impact did not fade. She shared her experiences and insights through her autobiography, Lady Bullfighter, which she authored in 1954. In the book, she detailed the challenges, triumphs, and sheer determination that defined her remarkable journey as a woman in a male-dominated field.
Following her retirement from bullfighting, McCormick relocated to California, where she pursued her artistic talents. She focused on creating line drawings and watercolor scenes depicting the world of bullfighting. She lived in Pasadena and Pebble Beach and worked as a secretary at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. However, her connection to her Texas roots remained strong, and in the early 2000s, she returned to West Texas, residing in Midland and later Del Rio.
Recognizing her pioneering achievements, The Heritage Museum at Big Spring opened a permanent exhibit dedicated to Patricia McCormick in the spring of 2007. This tribute highlighted her groundbreaking contributions to the world of bullfighting and celebrated her indomitable spirit.
Patricia McCormick passed away on March 26, 2013, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a trailblazing woman in the realm of bullfighting. She never married nor had children, dedicating her life instead to pursuing her passion and shattering gender barriers along the way.