Actress Gabor 'on the mend'

Zsa Zsa Gabor in 1995 at the funeral of her sister Eva

Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor is "getting better by the hour" after being injured in a car crash on Wednesday, her husband has said.

Frederic von Anhalt added that medical tests showed the 85-year-old performer had suffered no permanent injuries after a car driven by her hair stylist crashed into a lamp-post in Hollywood.

She has bruises and cuts and broken bones, but I'm sure she is going to be all right

Frederic von Anhalt

Gabor was initially left unconscious and on a ventilator, but von Anhalt said she began to open her eyes and breathe on her own on Friday morning.

"She is feeling better this morning. She woke up last night," he said.

"She is moving her legs. Her lungs are okay, her head is okay, her heart is okay.

"She has bruises and cuts and broken bones, but I'm sure she is going to be all right."

Outside court in 1989, with husband Frederic von Anhalt

A spokesman for the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center said the Hungarian-born actress was "improved but still in a serious condition".

Von Anhalt, who is Gabor's eighth husband, said his wife had appeared to respond to her surroundings, but had not spoken.

"She looks but we don't really know," he said.

"She is getting better by the hour."

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's spokesman said Gabor was not wearing a seat belt when the red Corvette she was a passenger in crashed on Sunset Boulevard.

But her daughter, Francesca Hilton, insisted she was wearing a belt.

She added Gabor had suffered a broken arm, and expected to leave hospital within days.

Zsa Zsa, left, with sister Magda in 1955

The sheriff's spokesman also said the accident did not appear to be caused by excessive speed, or driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Prolific marrier

Gabor is most famous for her multiple marriages - at least eight, including husbands Count Felipe de Alba, Jack Ryan, businessman Herbert Hutner as well as von Anhalt. One marriage lasted just 24 hours.

Her flamboyant character has made her one of Hollywood's most recognisable figures, despite a largely mediocre film career.

It began impressively with films such as Lili and Moulin Rouge, both in 1953.

But she later found herself playing roles in camp favourites like Queen Of Outer Space in 1958 and Won Ton Ton, The Dog Who Saved Hollywood in 1976.

In 1989 she was sentenced to 72 hours in jail for slapping a Beverly Hills police officer.

She also was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service at a women's shelter.

Gabor, crowned Miss Hungary in 1936, is famous for her quotes, including: "I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back."