John Ringling was one of the most famous and influential circus entrepreneurs in American history. He and his brothers built a circus empire that dominated the entertainment industry for decades. But his final years were marked by personal and financial troubles that led to his death from pneumonia in 1936. This article will explore the life and legacy of John Ringling, as well as the circumstances of his death.
Contents
The Rise of the Ringling Brothers
John Ringling was born in 1866 in Iowa, the fifth son of a German immigrant father and a French mother. He and his brothers grew up with a love for circus and entertainment, and started their own show in 1870, when John was only four years old. They called it “The Ringling Bros. United Monster Shows, Great Double Circus, Royal European Menagerie, Museum, Caravan, and Congress of Trained Animals”
The Ringling brothers gradually expanded their show, adding more acts, animals, and attractions. They also adopted new technologies, such as railroad cars, electric lights, and moving pictures, to enhance their spectacle. By 1889, they had one of the largest and most popular circuses in the country
In 1907, the Ringling brothers made a bold move: they bought the Barnum & Bailey Circus, the rival and former partner of their show, for $400,000. They ran the two circuses separately until 1918, when they merged them into one giant show: the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
John Ringling was the leader and visionary of the circus empire. He was in charge of booking, advertising, and managing the show. He also had a keen eye for talent and innovation, and brought many famous performers and acts to the circus, such as the Flying Wallendas, the clown Emmett Kelly, and the elephant Jumbo
The Fall of the Circus King
John Ringling’s success in the circus business made him a wealthy and influential man. He married Mable Burton in 1905, and they built a lavish mansion in Sarasota, Florida, called Ca’d’Zan. They also collected art and established a museum and an art school in Sarasota. John Ringling was also involved in real estate development, ranching, and oil exploration. He had a vision of making Sarasota a cultural and economic hub of the Gulf Coast
However, John Ringling’s fortunes began to decline in the 1920s. He faced several challenges and setbacks, such as:
- The death of his beloved wife Mable in 1929, after a long illness
- The Great Depression, which reduced the demand and revenue for the circus
- The competition from other forms of entertainment, such as radio, movies, and sports
- The legal battles with his former associates, such as Sam Gumpertz, who took over the control of the circus, and Owen Burns, who sued him over real estate deals
- The betrayal of his former secretary, Richard Fuchs, who wrote a scathing expose of his personal and business affairs
- The divorce from his second wife, Emily Haag Buck, whom he married in 1930, but separated from in 1936
- The estrangement from his nephew, John Ringling North, whom he accused of cheating him in a business transaction
All these troubles took a toll on John Ringling’s health and finances. He became ill with pneumonia and kidney problems, and had to use a wheelchair. He was also heavily in debt, and had to mortgage or sell many of his assets, including his mansion, his art collection, and his circus shares. He was even facing the possibility of losing his home to foreclosure
The Death of John Ringling
John Ringling died on December 2, 1936, at his apartment in New York City. He was 70 years old. He was surrounded by his sister, Ida North, her sons John and Henry North, his nurse, Ina Sanders, his physician, and his friend, Frank Hennessy
His death was announced on the front page of the Sarasota Herald, with the headline “JOHN RINGLING DIES IN NEW YORK”. The article described him as “the last of the great circus kings” and “one of the most colorful figures in American history”
His funeral was held in Sarasota, where he was buried next to his wife Mable at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Thousands of people attended the service, including many circus performers and celebrities. His will left his estate, including his mansion, his museum, and his circus, to the state of Florida, with the condition that they be preserved and maintained for the public
The Legacy of John Ringling
John Ringling’s death marked the end of an era in the circus industry. His circus continued to operate under the management of his nephews, John and Henry North, but it never regained its former glory and prestige. It faced more competition, regulation, and criticism, and eventually closed in 2017, after 146 years of operation
However, John Ringling’s legacy lives on in Sarasota, where his mansion, his museum, and his art school are still open to the public. They are considered as cultural and historical landmarks, and attract thousands of visitors every year. They also host various events, such as exhibitions, festivals, and performances, that celebrate the art and spirit of John Ringling and his circus
John Ringling was a man of vision, ambition, and passion. He created a circus empire that entertained and inspired millions of people. He also contributed to the development and culture of Sarasota, and left a lasting imprint on the city. He was a circus king, a philanthropist, and an art lover. He was John Ringling
