Edith Bouvier Beale American socialite, fashion model, cabaret performer Date of Birth: 07.11.1917 Country: USA

1. Biography of Edith Bouvier Beale
2. Early Life and Upbringing
3. Financial Difficulties and Controversies
4. Rumored Engagement and Challenges
5. Grey Gardens and Documentary Film
6. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of Edith Bouvier Beale

Edith Bouvier Beale, also known as Little Edie, was an American socialite, fashion model, and cabaret performer. She was the cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy, and she gained fame through the 1975 documentary film "Grey Gardens" by Albert and David Maysles.

Early Life and Upbringing

Edith Bouvier Beale was born on November 7, 1917, in New York City. As a member of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in New England, she grew up in luxury and attended privileged schools. Her mother, Edith Ewing Bouvier, was known as Big Edie.

At a young age, Edie was involved in activities such as tennis, horseback riding, and swimming, and she grew up to be extremely attractive, attracting many admirers. However, she never married, despite having a large number of suitors.

Financial Difficulties and Controversies

Unbeknownst to Edie, her parents faced financial difficulties since the Great Depression. Her mother had a beautiful singing voice and dreamt of becoming a singer, performing at private parties and small events. However, her husband disapproved of her ambitions, and they divorced in 1931. Edie's father left her mother with limited financial resources, and she was forced to seek help from her father.

In her youth, Edie worked as a model, but her father strongly disapproved and forbade her from pursuing a career in the industry. Instead, he wanted her to work in his law firm. Frustrated, Edie ran away from home.

Rumored Engagement and Challenges

During this period, Edie claimed to have been engaged to Joe Kennedy, the older brother of the future president, who did not return from the war. Neither Edie nor Joe's families were aware of this alleged engagement. If it were true and Joe had not died in a plane crash, Edie would have become the First Lady of the United States instead of her cousin, Jacqueline.

Until 1952, Edie aspired to become an actress and took acting lessons. However, she had to abandon her dreams when her ailing mother called her back home. Edie's mother received an inheritance of $65,000 from her deceased father, which was supposed to be managed by her brother, Jack Bouvier, Jacqueline's father. In reality, he only gave her $300 a month, which was not enough to maintain Grey Gardens, their once-grand estate. Edie later accused her uncle of misappropriating her mother's funds.

Grey Gardens and Documentary Film

In 1971, inspectors from the Department of Health were shocked when they entered Grey Gardens. The once magnificent mansion was now dilapidated and infested with feral animals. This scandalous situation caught the attention of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who financed the restoration of the estate.

In 1975, the Maysles brothers released the documentary film "Grey Gardens," which portrayed the lives of the two reclusive women. The film showcased their eccentric fashion choices, meager living conditions, and their complex relationship. Edie's unique sense of style, including her headscarves and turbans, became fashionable among her fans. The film gained Edie a large number of admirers.

Later Life and Legacy

After her mother's death in February 1977, 60-year-old Edie attempted to revive her career in cabaret. However, her performances at the "Reno Sweeney" nightclub were negatively received by the press, with the New York Times describing them as a "public demonstration of incompetence." In 1979, she sold Grey Gardens for $220,000, with the condition that the house and garden be preserved.

Edie moved around for several years before settling in Bal Harbour, Florida, where she spent her final years in solitude. She swam in the ocean every day, wrote poetry, and engaged in extensive correspondence with friends and fans.

Edith Bouvier Beale was found dead in her apartment on January 14, 2002, after one of her concerned fans couldn't reach her. She had passed away from a heart attack approximately five days earlier. Despite her wishes to have her ashes scattered over the ocean, her remains were buried next to her brother's grave. In 2009, a biographical drama titled "Grey Gardens" was released, depicting the lives of Big and Little Edie. Drew Barrymore portrayed Edie Beale, while Jessica Lange played her mother.