CAREER WOMEN WHO MAKE BIG BUCKS face more marital problems, in many cases. Especially if they bring home more bacon than hubby does.

IT TAKES A WELL-ADJUSTED HUSBAND with a secure ego not to feel diminished by a bigger paycheck going to the wife.

A STUDY PUBLISHED in the Journal of Family Issues found a tipping point in a marriage when the wife pulled in at least 60 percent of the family income. When the income shifted that far in the woman’s favor, there was a 38 percent higher chance that a couple would split. The 2,500 women who participated in the study got married sometime between 1979 and 2002 — years when men were expected to be the top wage earners.

AND WHEN A WIFE HAS PLENTY OF CASH, her options are wider, and not hemmed in by what her husband wants. Look at all the celeb marriages that cracked with infidelity or the wife being the super star. Bruised egos have to be part of problems in celeb unions.

MADONNA, SANDRA BULLOCK, JENNIFER LOPEZ AND ANGELINA JOLIE all have marriages that burned out after they hit the big time. Husbands cheated to prove they were top dog.

WILL YOUNGER WOMEN, in a new generation, be less likely to sustain serious marital mayhem if they earn more? Will younger couples feel freer to make their lives fit into the financial pattern that makes them happy, not based on the old “men must be breadwinners” philosophy?

BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING and landing a high-paying CEO position in business today is more possible than ever before, but it is still rare for femmes to garner major paychecks unless they are in the entertainment field, on TV, invent a better mousetrap, or they are so skilled they can claw their way up the corporate ladder.

GOING FOR THE BRASS RING, despite the flaws, is the dream of millions of young women. Sadly, only a few will ever be forced to face a husband unhappy with her bonus and her bigger paycheck.

WHO IS THE CHAMPION TENNIS PLAYER WHO PROMISED HIS MUCH OLDER WIFE he would never play a game with a woman? He won major titles all over the world and never broke his promise, even after she died.

WHO IS THE LOCAL TV AND MOVIE STAR who needs some deodorant advice? She looks like a million dollars but smells like last week’s garbage.

SHE’S COME A LONG, LONG WAY. Ellen DeGeneres sold vacuum cleaners and painted houses before she found fame as a comedienne.

DONALD TRUMP is thinking about running for President … And we thought he was only interested in God’s job.

NEW YORK PAPERS are full of stories about Chicago industrial family scion Christopher Mark’s battle with Marina Isakova over supporting her and their daughter, Maria. He allegedly kicked them out of his 35,000 square-foot, 20-room castle in Woodstock, Conn. Mark, 47, is the great-grandson of Clayton Mark, who once owned the fourth largest steel company in the U.S.

OSCAR STARS will find swank equestrian-themed leather key rings from Cindy Galvin’s posh Maze salon in their goody bags.

EXCITEMENT IS MOUNTING for the March 4 gala at the Drake Hotel marking the 100th anniversary of architect Benjamin Marshall’s East Lake Shore Drive. Richard Driehaus is a major sponsor.

OUR JENNIFER HUDSON sang at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute benefit at Mar-A-Lago when Rihanna canceled at the last minute due to bronchitis. The 600 guests loved their “Dreamgirl.”

LITTLE PEOPLE IN FUR COATS — friendly, caring and nurturing — help children and adults regain strength, health and independence after traumatic injuries, devastating illnesses, or living with chronic emotional or physical disabilities. Under the supervision of medical professionals in hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation facilities in our area, the Canine Therapy Corps, 1700 W. Irving Park Rd., has been using special dogs as a catalyst for positive change since 1991. Their remarkable dogs work magic, uplifting spirits and bringing smiles where there were none.

THE HEALING POWER OF THE HUMAN — ANIMAL BOND is well documented. Supporters of the Canine Therapy Corps are animal lovers like: the Bruce Crowns, Barbara Morris, Winston & Strawn, the Jon Brightmans, the Ken Fixlers, John Garvey, Dr. Marjorie Getz, Dr. David Sheftel, Judy Keitz, the Thomas Matyas, Julie Muccillo, Matt Pollack, Lisa Wiersma, Ginny Beck, Mary Bookman, Carolyn Chandler, Andrea Freedberg, Deborah Hadelman, Melissa Kelly, Linda Levy, Christine Montet, Pat Morrison, Bethany Tap.

WITTY, TIMELY AND NEVER ONE TO USE SMUT for a laugh, Tom Dreesen is a classy comedian. His claim to fame is being a respected opening act for singer Frank Sinatra for more than a decade, but even without the blessing of Ol’ Blue Eyes, Tom would be a major force on the comedy circuit. He’s a truly funny guy. No bathroom humor, which is rare today, and Dreesen gets big yuks with tales of his childhood growing up on the south side of Chicago. Each year he organizes a “Day for Darlene,” celeb events to raise money to help fight multiple sclerosis, which claimed his sister.

DREESEN WAS EMCEE at Sinatra’s wake, introducing Kirk Douglas, Gregory Peck, Frank Jr., Robert Wagner and other Sinatra buddies. For 13 years, Tom traveled with Frank, often hitting 45 to 50 towns a year. He turned down other offers — he was in heaven working with Sinatra. Dreesen confides that Frank gave him more advice then he ever got from his own father.

FOR A DOZEN YEARS, the Bearcat Ball has been a fundraiser for the Rehabilitation Institute orchestrated by the Associate Board of young professionals. The Tree of Life award was given to Michael Sexton at the last benefit because this unusual man, a famous professional poker player, donated half his winnings to worthy endeavors.

He founded PokerGives.org to provide financial and humanitarian aid to mainstream charities from gaming professionals. Marc Chagall’s last commissioned work, The Tree of Life, hangs in the Rehab Institute lobby and from this inspirational artwork came the award. Artist Michiko Itatani, professor at the School of the Art Institute, created the award.

BEARCAT BALL CO-CHAIRS WERE Julie Boniecki and Erica Scully. Supporters include John Scully III, Scott Fehlan, Neal Goss, Kristine Wexler, Denise Constantine, Christina Schmucker, Kate Yeskey, Palmer Abbey, Linda Phillips, Mark Geall, Nora Gilhooly, Dale Heims, Tom Hoge, Dennis Hull, Paula Smith, David Shapiro, Brian Stang, Ed Stanton, Jennifer Stone, Claire Murphy, Tonya Mann, Scott Olson, Dan Nickel, Laura Pils, Lauren Jung, Tom Keim Jr., Sally Jackson, Sean Daly, Jennifer Doyle, Jenny Notz, Naomi Keller, Kelly Kitsch, Michele Lee and Brian White.

MEMORIES, MEMORIES … Here is a photo of actor Dennis Farina (left), with Tobi Williams, actor Larry Manetti and Romie Munoz of the Illinois Arts Council at a Hilton party for actor Tom Selleck in 2002.

A DEDICATED GROUP OF WOMEN have made the Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation board a powerful fundraising tool to support the research and educational activities of the University of Chicago Medical Center’s section on Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Their most recent benefit was a fashion show highlighting the designs of Michigan Avenue and Oak Street boutiques. Major donors were Marian Edelstein, Barbara Schultz, Sarita Warshawsky, Harriet Katz, Carol Goldman, Leslie Monieson, Marleen Lipschultz, Valerie Shapiro, Roberta Krasny, Merle Rothschild, Marilyn Swoiskin, Martha Clarkson, Lynda Gaspar, Hope Malis, Rachel Besser, Linda Hanan, Barbara Kravits, Lucy Minor, Roddie Rosenthal, Ruth Smilg, Gloria Wilens, Merle Goldblatt Cohen, Mary Pat Ross, Mrs. Victor Bloom, Mrs. Thomas Cummings, Mrs. Chris Johnson and Mrs. Richard Sciortino.

PAMELA ANDERSON INSECURE? Difficult to believe this well endowed, curvy babe who is in the dreams of many males has admitted she’s really not impressed with her own body. This busty “Baywatch” legend partnered with designer Richie Rich to present a bathing suit collection. Who better to know how to look fab in a swimsuit? Pam said, “I never feel confident. I really don’t love my body.” When Anderson was here for a Glamorama promotion, we chatted with her and although she’s a bit shortwaisted, her bod is what men love — top heavy and exposed to perfection in a short, short skirt slashed for a leggy view. When we asked her how she keeps her figure, she moaned and confided, “I’d kill for a burger. I am starving!” Poor baby.

THE HARVARD ALUMNI BULLETIN recently honored five “for missions accomplished.” They were our Lake Forest Apollo 13 astronaut James Lovell, who in 1970 commanded a crew that scrambled to convert their lunar module into a lifeboat when their cryogenic oxygen system failed. Our former neighbor James Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co., was cited for helping create Citigroup and rescuing Bank One. Allan Gray, who launched Orbis Investment Management; Susan Decker, former head of Yahoo! Inc.; and Marvin Traub, former CEO of Bloomingdale’s and an international consultant for retailers, were others applauded for their labors.

WHEN ASTRONAUT JAMES LOVELL was in outer space, it was his wife’s birthday. He had arranged for a fur jacket to be delivered with a note that said, “From the man in the moon.”

POOR FERGIE … With the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of York looks outdated and outclassed. If she could have behaved herself and made Brownie Points by being low key and even faintly regal, she might have an invite to the big event.

“MILLIONS LONG FOR IMMORTALITY who don’t know what to do on a rainy Sunday afternoon.” — SUSAN ERTZ

CONTACT: annbgerber@gmail.com or 847-677-2232