Edith Bouvier Beale
| Edith Bouvier Beale | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
November 7, 1917 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | circa January 9, 2002 (aged 84) Bal Harbour, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | Locust Valley Cemetery, Locust Valley, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Little Edie |
| Citizenship | United States of America |
| Occupation | Socialite, fashion model, Cabaret performer |
| Known for | Grey Gardens |
| Parent(s) |
Phelan Beale, Sr. Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale |
| Relatives | sister of Phelan Beale, Jr. and Bouvier Beale first cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lee Radziwill |
Edith "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale (November 7, 1917 – circa January 9, 2002) was an American socialite, fashion model and cabaret performer. She was a first cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lee Radziwill. She is most known for her participation, along with her mother, with whom she lived, in the 1975 documentary film Grey Gardens by Albert and David Maysles.
Beale was born in New York City, the only daughter of Phelan Beale, a lawyer, and the former Edith Ewing Bouvier (known as "Big Edie"). She was born at 917 Madison Avenue (now the site of the Carlyle Hotel). She had two brothers, Phelan Beale, Jr. and Bouvier Beale, and had a privileged upbringing. Beale attended The Spence School and graduated from Miss Porter's School in 1935.
She was a member of the Maidstone Country Club of East Hampton. She had her debut 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 and a wreath of gardenias in her hair.
While Beale was young, her mother pursued a singing career, hiring an accompanist and playing at small venues and private parties. In Summer 1931, Phelan Beale separated from his wife, leaving Big Edie, then 35 years old, dependent on the Bouviers for the care of herself and children. In 1946, he finally obtained a divorce, notifying his family by telephone from Mexico (his daughter described it as a "fake Mexican divorce" since it was not recognized by the Catholic Church).
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