Edith Bouvier Beale
Edith Bouvier Beale (November 7, 1917 – c. January 14, 2002), nicknamed Little Edie, was an American socialite, fashion model, and cabaret performer. She was a first cousin of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Lee Radziwill. She is best known for her participation in the 1975 documentary film, Grey Gardens, by Albert and David Maysles, (along with her mother, Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale, with whom she lived).[1]
Edith Bouvier Beale
November 7, 1917
c. January 14, 2002 (aged 84)[a]
Little Edie
- Socialite
- fashion model
- Cabaret performer
Phelan Beale Jr. (brother)
Bouvier Beale (brother)
Jacqueline Onassis (cousin)
Early life[edit]
Beale was born in New York City, the only daughter of Phelan Beale, a lawyer, and Edith Ewing Bouvier. Her mother, (known as "Big Edie"), was the daughter of Phelan’s law partner, John Vernou Bouvier Jr. She was born at 987 Madison Avenue, New York City, (now the site of the Carlyle Hotel). She had two brothers, Phelan Beale Jr. and Bouvier Beale and had a lavish upbringing, as part of America's "Catholic aristocracy".[2] Beale attended The Spence School and graduated from Miss Porter's School in 1935.[3]
Known as "Little Edie," Beale was a member of the Maidstone Country Club of East Hampton. A debutante, she was presented to society during a ball at the Pierre Hotel on New Year's Day 1936. The New York Times reported on the event, where she wore a gown of white net appliqued in silver, with a wreath of gardenias in her hair.[1]
While Beale was young, her mother pursued a singing career, hiring an accompanist and playing at small venues and private parties. In the summer of 1931, Phelan Beale separated from his wife, leaving Big Edie, then 35 years old. In 1946 he finally obtained a divorce, notifying his family by telegram from Mexico.[4]
In her youth, Little Edie was a clothes model at Macy's in New York[3] and Palm Beach, Florida. She later claimed to have dated J. Paul Getty and to have once been engaged to Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (although in reality she met him only once).[5] During the 1961 inauguration of John F. Kennedy, she told Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. that if young Joe had lived, she would have been First Lady instead of Jackie. Once, Beale ran away to Palm Beach, where she was found by her father and brought home.[3]
From 1947 to 1952, she lived in an apartment and later the Barbizon Hotel for Women. She worked as a model, dancer, and actress.[1] When she was in her late 30s, Beale developed alopecia totalis[5] which caused her body hair to fall out and prompted her to wear her signature headscarves. Beale's cousin, John Davis, claims Beale once climbed a tree at home and set her hair on fire, suggesting Beale might have contributed to her own baldness.[3]
Personal life[edit]
In 1979, Beale sold the mansion to Ben Bradlee, then the executive editor of The Washington Post.[11]
Beale was found dead in her apartment on January 14, 2002, aged 84. It is believed she died about five days earlier, either from a stroke or heart attack.[1] The inscription on her grave marker reads: "I came from God. I belong to God. In the end, I shall return to God."[12][13]
Interest in the Beales' story resulted in a variety of publishing and media projects, as well as various mentions in popular culture.