Her father, Leo Metzner, served in the 363rd Infantry Regiment of the 91st Division during World War I, then returned home to become a paint salesman and owner of a chain of paint stores. He had also performed as a magician in local circles under the stage name of "The Great Leo". Following in her dad's footsteps, Gloria started performing tricks at the age of four, and, by the age of seven, was noted as being "the youngest working magician in the world".