Edith Bouvier Beale, a first cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. "Little Edie," as she was known, was part of New York Society in her youth, but she and her mother became recluses when she was in her middle years. The two women lived together at Grey Gardens, their East Hampton, New York estate, from 1952 until the elder women died in the late 1970s. A series of unfortunate events led to the home falling into extreme dis-repair and leaving the Beales living in poverty. Her style is legendary and her life story is even more captivating. For more about Edie, there is the Documentary she made with her mother called Grey Gardens, and also the recent HBO film by the same name, with Drew Barrymore as Edie.
young Edie
(Edith Bouvier Beale of Grey Gardens: Life in Pictures, tfs)
