Bunny Mellon: The Life of an American Style Legend

Bunny Mellon was the last embodiment of a Gilded Age lifestyle, born into money and married into even more. She built, decorated, and presided over six luxurious homes in Washington, New York, Paris, Antigua, Cape Cod, and Nantucket. She operated in the intersecting arenas of politics, art, and fashion, mingling with Presidents, Queens, Duchesses, Hollywood actors, couturiers, artists, and Russian ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin. She was an ardent gardener, savvy art collector, and discerning self-taught decorator who cultivated an air of mystery.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2019
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

When Bunny Mellon passed away at the remarkable age of 103 on March 17th, she represented the very last vestige of a Gilded Age lifestyle. Born into a wealthy family, thanks to her grandfather's invention of Listerine, she further solidified her fortune by marrying into an even more affluent lineage, the Mellon banking and oil fortune. As a result, she was able to embark on the construction, decoration, and stewardship of six opulent residences in Washington, New York, Paris, Antigua, Cape Cod, and Nantucket. Mellon treated her lavish possessions as mere incidental elements to her daily existence, showcasing an unframed Van Gogh painting titled Green Wheat Fields, Auvers, prominently displayed on her living room fireplace mantel.

Bunny Mellon's remarkable life unfolded in the overlapping realms of politics, art, and fashion, where she mingled with a diverse array of notable figures, including Presidents, Queens, Duchesses, Hollywood actors, couturiers, artists, and the Russian ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin. She maintained close personal relationships with the towering figures of her era, seeking solace from childhood insecurities and navigating a challenging marriage through analysis with Carl Jung in the 1940s. Mellon's penchant for bringing together amusing individuals was evident in her hosting of small luncheons, where she introduced Princess Diana and Prince Charles to the American royalty, Jacqueline Onassis, and her children, Caroline and John Kennedy.

An ardent gardener, Mellon created the Rose Garden at the request of her dear friend Jacqueline Kennedy. She was also a skilled art collector, with a discerning eye for acquiring works of art. Mellon's self-taught decorating skills and advice to her Foxcroft classmate, Sister Parish, further solidified her reputation as a tastemaker. Her actions generated widespread media attention, from pioneering the trend of miniature topiaries to blessing emerging artists and designers. Mellon was a devoted companion to her husband, Paul Mellon, accompanying him to witness his thoroughbred horse, Arts and Letters, triumph in the prestigious Belmont Stakes.

Yet, despite her public prominence, Bunny Mellon deliberately maintained an air of mystery and intrigue. Regal and commanding, mischievous and effervescent, she captivated those around her with her unique charm and captivating personality. Bunny Mellon's legacy continues to inspire and influence, reminding us of the extraordinary lives lived by those who embraced the glamour and excess of a bygone era.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 204 x 153 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781455588725