Heiresses: The Lives of the Million Dollar Babies

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New York Times bestselling author Laura Thompson presents a captivating exploration of heiresses throughout history, revealing the often tragic realities behind their seemingly glamorous lives. While they may appear to be among the luckiest women, enjoying private jets and designer wardrobes, many have faced profound trauma and despair. Historically, a wife's inheritance became her husband's property, leaving her vulnerable to kidnapping, forced marriages, and even confinement in asylums. In modern times, heiresses have often fallen prey to fortune-hunters who squander their wealth. The book recounts the stories of notable heiresses such as Mary Davies, bartered from age twelve; Consuelo Vanderbilt, who endured a loveless marriage; Barbara Hutton, the Woolworth heiress who married seven times and died nearly broke; and Patty Hearst, arrested for terrorism despite her newspaper fortune. Yet, it also highlights tales of independence and achievement, including Angela Burdett-Coutts, a leading Victorian philanthropist; Nancy Cunard, a civil rights pioneer; and Daisy Fellowes, a key figure in interwar high society and fashion. This narrative not only delves into the lives of the wealthy, as F. Scott Fitzgerald noted, but also reflects the broader struggle of women for equality and autonomy.