Her larger-than-life personality and the mystery of how a woman born with so much promise came to such a sad, reclusive life make Edith Bouvier Beale's story fascinating. Of course the shirt-tail tie to the Bouvier-Kennedy dynasty adds glamour and interest. Her story was recently told in a Broadway musical and won her new fans. Her persona seems like something out of a novel or a play, not reality. She makes me think of a lighthearted version of Charles Dickens's character, Miss Havisham. After her death "Little Edie" is getting some of the attention and acclaim that she craved during her lifetime.
Edith Bouvier Beale was born into an aristocratic family. She was called "Little Edie" by everyone to distinguish her from her mother, who was Edith Beale, or "Big Edie". Little Edie's father was a lawyer. Her mother, a classically trained singer, dreamed of a great concert career and held recitals in their grand East Hampton home. Jacqueline Bouvier, future First Lady and wife of Pres. John F Kennedy, was Little Edie's first cousin. It was an auspicious beginning.
Edith Bouvier Beale grew into a celebrated beauty and began modeling at 17 years old. She also acted and sang. Little Edie enjoyed the social scene and aspired to break into movies. These were her golden years. She claimed to have had marriage proposals from J. Paul Getty and Howard Hughes.
Edith Bouvier Beale's father divorced her mother to remarry and start a new family. When he died his second family inherited the estate. Edith, the mother, retained the East Hampton mansion that Mr. Beale had given her while they were married.
Edith Bouvier Beale was born into an aristocratic family. She was called "Little Edie" by everyone to distinguish her from her mother, who was Edith Beale, or "Big Edie". Little Edie's father was a lawyer. Her mother, a classically trained singer, dreamed of a great concert career and held recitals in their grand East Hampton home. Jacqueline Bouvier, future First Lady and wife of Pres. John F Kennedy, was Little Edie's first cousin. It was an auspicious beginning.
Edith Bouvier Beale grew into a celebrated beauty and began modeling at 17 years old. She also acted and sang. Little Edie enjoyed the social scene and aspired to break into movies. These were her golden years. She claimed to have had marriage proposals from J. Paul Getty and Howard Hughes.
Edith Bouvier Beale's father divorced her mother to remarry and start a new family. When he died his second family inherited the estate. Edith, the mother, retained the East Hampton mansion that Mr. Beale had given her while they were married.
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maria
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/19/2009
I thought it to be a very moving story, I watched it with my mother and she too enjoyed it.
Interesting story. I'd never heard about this side of Jackie's family.
Sad story but nicely written.
A very sad, yet moving story. Thanks for sharing it.
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