Babe Paley was one of the most influential and admired women of her time. She was a magazine editor, a socialite, and a fashion trendsetter who captivated New York society with her elegance and charm. But behind her glamorous facade, she faced many struggles and sorrows that eventually led to her untimely death. Here is the story of Babe Paley’s cause of death and how it marked the end of an era.
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Who Was Babe Paley?
Babe Paley was born Barbara Cushing on July 5, 1915, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the youngest of three daughters of a renowned brain surgeon, Harvey Cushing, and a wealthy socialite, Katharine Stone. Her sisters, Mary and Betsey, also married into prominent families: Mary became the second wife of Vincent Astor, and Betsey married James Roosevelt, the son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and later John Hay Whitney.
Babe was nicknamed “Babe” by her family because she was the spoiled and favored child. She was also blessed with stunning beauty and a refined taste for fashion. She made her debut as a debutante in 1934, and soon moved to New York City to pursue a career in the glamorous world of magazines. She worked as a fashion editor at Vogue, where she met her first husband, Stanley Grafton Mortimer Jr., a wealthy heir to the Standard Oil fortune. They married in 1940 and had two children, Stanley and Amanda.
How Did She Meet William Paley?
In 1946, Babe divorced Mortimer and married William S. Paley, the founder and chairman of CBS. Paley was one of the most powerful and influential men in the media industry, and he was smitten by Babe’s beauty and sophistication. He lavished her with expensive gifts, such as jewelry, clothes, and art, and gave her access to his vast social network of celebrities, politicians, and royalty. He also encouraged her to pursue her own interests and hobbies, such as gardening, painting, and photography.
Babe became Paley’s perfect companion and trophy wife, and together they formed one of the most glamorous and envied couples of their time. They lived in a luxurious apartment at the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan, and spent their weekends at their estate in Long Island, or their retreat in New Hampshire. They also traveled extensively around the world, visiting exotic places and meeting famous people. Babe was a regular on the best-dressed lists, and was inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1958. She was also a close friend and muse of the author Truman Capote, who immortalized her as one of his “swans”, a group of elegant and wealthy women who dominated the social scene.
What Were Her Struggles and Sorrows?
Despite her seemingly perfect life, Babe was not happy. She suffered from low self-esteem and insecurity, and felt that she had to constantly please and impress her husband and his friends. She was also aware of Paley’s numerous affairs, which he did not bother to hide from her. She tried to cope with her loneliness and pain by smoking, drinking, and taking pills. She also developed an eating disorder, and became obsessed with her appearance and weight.
Babe also faced several tragedies in her life. In 1959, her son Stanley died in a car accident at the age of 18. In 1963, her sister Betsey committed suicide after a long battle with depression. In 1966, her friend and confidant Truman Capote betrayed her by publishing a scandalous and revealing story about her and her friends, called “La Côte Basque 1965”, in Esquire magazine. Babe was deeply hurt and humiliated by Capote’s betrayal, and cut off all contact with him.
How Did She Die?
Babe Paley’s cause of death was lung cancer. She was diagnosed with the disease in 1974, and underwent several surgeries and treatments. However, the cancer was too advanced and aggressive, and she succumbed to it on July 6, 1978, a day after her 63rd birthday. She died at her home in New York City, surrounded by her family and friends.
Babe Paley’s death was mourned by many people who admired and loved her. She was buried at the Memorial Cemetery of St. John’s Church in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, next to her son Stanley. Her husband William Paley died in 1990, and was buried beside her.
Babe Paley’s cause of death was the tragic end of a style icon who dazzled the world with her grace and glamour. She was a woman who had everything, but also nothing. She was a woman who left behind a legacy of beauty, elegance, and charm, but also of sadness, loneliness, and pain.
