Rachel Mellon Gardener, philanthropist, collector Date of Birth: 09.08.1910 Country: USA

1. Rachel Mellon: Horticulturist, Philanthropist, Collector
2. A Wealth Shrouded in Secrecy
3. A Vast Array of Residences
4. Marriages and Children
5. A Shared Passion for Art and Horses
6. A Connection with the Kennedys
7. A Tragic Loss

Rachel Mellon: Horticulturist, Philanthropist, Collector

Rachel Mellon, an American horticulturist, philanthropist, and collector, was the widow of renowned racehorse owner, philanthropist, and collector Paul Mellon. She was born into the Lambert family, the daughter of Gerard Barnes Lambert, Sr., the president of Gillette Safety Razor Co and founder of Warner-Lambert (which has since merged with Pfizer), and his wife Rachel Lowe. Her parents divorced in 1933, and her mother remarried Malvern Bryan Clopton, the widower of her ex-husband's sister, in 1934.

A Wealth Shrouded in Secrecy

The exact extent of Mellon's fortune is difficult to assess since most of her assets are hidden in various trust funds. However, it is evident that she had more than enough money. Mellon does not disclose information about her income or her wealth, preferring to keep her finances private.

A Vast Array of Residences

Mellon owned properties in Antigua, Paris, New York, Washington, Nantucket, and Cape Cod. Her main residence was an estate in Virginia, complete with a private runway.

Marriages and Children

Mellon's first husband was Stacy Barcroft Lloyd Jr., the former head of the Office of Strategic Services. They married in 1932 and divorced in 1948, and together they had two children, Stacy Barcroft Lloyd III and Eliza Winn Lloyd. It was through Lloyd that Rachel Lambert met Paul Mellon, who was then married to Mary Conover. After Conover's death in 1946, Mellon married Paul on May 1, 1948, shortly after her divorce from Lloyd.

A Shared Passion for Art and Horses

Paul Mellon had a love for collecting various art objects, and Rachel shared this passion wholeheartedly. Together, they amassed and then voluntarily donated over 1,000 rare artifacts, with a significant portion of the collection consisting of 18th and 19th-century European paintings. Rachel also shared Paul's interest in breeding thoroughbred horses, and one of their horses even won the Kentucky Derby.

A Connection with the Kennedys

Rachel Mellon had a good relationship with John and Jacqueline Kennedy. Jacqueline sought Rachel's advice during the restoration of the White House and asked her to create a rose garden suitable for public ceremonies and showcasing American flora. Unfortunately, John Kennedy did not live to see the completed rose garden, but the next First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, supported the project. In 1965, the newly constructed garden was named in honor of Jacqueline Kennedy.

A Tragic Loss

After Paul Mellon's death, Rachel's daughter from her first marriage, Eliza, was involved in a serious car accident, which left her paralyzed. Eliza passed away in 2008, and among the attendees at her funeral was Caroline Kennedy, Jacqueline's daughter. On March 17, 2014, Rachel Mellon passed away at the age of 103 in her Virginia home.