Tragic Facts About Babe Paley, The Queen Of New York
From the time she was in the cradle, Babe Paley’s parents wanted great things for their little girl. Well, she certainly got them—but it came at a heartbreakingly high price.
A debutante at 18 years old and a high-society wife at 25, Babe had New York City in the palm of her hand. Yet the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Put on your best face for these facts about Babe Paley, The Queen Of New York.
Babe Paley Facts
1. She Was A Spoiled Brat
“Babe” was born Barbara Cushing on July 5, 1915, to prominent brain surgeon Harvey Cushing and his well-heeled socialite wife Katharine.
The little girl became iconic early on: As the youngest of five children, she was the spoiled, favorite baby of the family, leading to her lifelong nickname, “Babe". But her parents expected far more than that of their little girl…
2. She Had Big Shoes To Fill
Babe’s big sisters Minnie and Betsey soon married into the fabulously wealthy Astor and Roosevelt families, and Babe herself was turning out to be quite the high-class looker.
The sibling trio were quickly the talk of the town, and society dubbed them “The Fabulous Cushing Sisters". Of the three, Babe would be the most famous—and the most tragic.
3. She Was A Debutante
Like many self-respecting socialites, Babe had a debutante “coming out” ball in 1934, when she was just 18 years old. It cemented her as one of the most stylish women of her day; as one admirer later commented, “So great is her beauty that no matter how often I see her, each time is the first time". But Babe's time in the sun soon came to an abrupt end.
