Jessica Tate

### Relatives

The Major (Father),Mary Campbell (Sister),Eunice Tate (Daughter),Corrine Tate (Adopted Daughter),Billy Tate (Son)

## Appearances

### Debut

Episode 1

**Jessica Tate [née Gatling]** (Portrayed by Katherine Helmond) is the sweet, but ditzy sister of Mary Campbell and is one of the two principal characters on the ABC sitcom, *Soap*.

The naïve, but sincere matriarch of the Tate family, Jessica often found herself at the forefront of the family dilemmas; alongside her own romantic affairs.

## About Jessica

### Early Life

Jessica Tate was born Jessica Gatling to The Major and an unnamed mother as one of three children. Growing up, Jessica was always considered "scattered brained" by her mother and her surroundings and became accustomed to living in a world of her own.

### Adult Life

In 1951, Jessica married her college mate, Chester Tate, a wealthy son of a stockbroker. The two gave birth to a daughter, Eunice Tate. In 1955, Jessica and Chester would became the adoptee parents of Corinne Gatling, the daughter of Jessica's brother Randolph, and their Swedish maid, Ingrid Svenson following the two's exit to Ecuador. In 1962, Jessica gave birth to her first and only son, Billy Tate.

### Arrest and Trial For Murder

In 1978, Jessica Tate would be arrested for the murder of Tennis instructor, Peter Campbell after an investigation revealed the gun used in the incident was in her possession. Jessica bailed out of jail soon after her arrest and was hired attorney, E. Ronald Mallu by her husband for representation.

During trial, Jessica herself admitted to a two time affair with Peter. It was also testified by Chester Tate and Jessica's butler, Benson, that Jessica did not leave her home the night of Peter's murder. It was later revealed by prosecutor Mr. Franklin that Chester was being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for stock fraud and embezzlement and had previously cheated the Judge out of $40,000. Mr. Franklin's "surprise witness" Sheila Fein, an acquaintance a litany of affairs with Peter Campbell, had testified that Jessica had seen Peter Campbell the day of his death, telling him, "I'm so angry, I could kill you."

Jessica was found guilty by the jury and was sentenced to 50 years in prison; eligible for parole in 25 years. Shortly after her sentencing, Chester proved and admitted to being guilty of the murder, with Jessica being acquitted, and Chester receiving Jessica's previous sentence.

### Illness, Death, and Coma

In 1980, Jessica was admitted into a hospital after passing put at a family gathering for her brother-in-law, Burt Campbell's, Sherriff Election day. Jessica was later informed to be dying due to a mysterious illness. After being declared dead, Jessica was revived by her doctor, at a possible risk of brain damage.

### Divorce And El Puerto

In 1980, Jessica Tate had officially filed for divorce from her longtime husband, Chester Tate, finalizing the divorce in 1981. Jessica would shorty after, get involved with a revolutionary, El Puerco, on her way to a vacation to Malaguay. After returning tp Dunn's River, Connecticut with her new partner, Jessica and El Puerto were both taken hostage by Puerco's communist opposition and sent back to Malaguay, in which Jessica came face to face with a firing squad execution.

In 1983, the Tate family had petitioned the court tp declare Jessica Tate "legally dead" after two years of being missing. According tp Jessica herself, she was "positively not dead," but in a coma in South America.

## Quotes

* "Love does not come from having shared the same body. Love comes from having shared a lifetime."
* "I simply could not get out of *Bloomingdale's*. I think I'd like to be buried there."