Puzzling Facts About Edith “Big Edie” Bouvier Beale, The Reclusive Socialite

She Was A Reclusive Socialite

Edith “Big Edie” Bouvier Beale was the reclusive socialite and aunt of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. But, while her niece and extended family waltzed the halls of the White House, Big Edie tiptoed through Grey Gardens—her squalid cat sanctuary in the Hamptons.

1. She Was Born Into Privilege

Edith “Big Edie” Ewing Bouvier Beale was born to be a preeminent socialite. She made her debut on October 5, 1895, in Nutley, New Jersey, born into the wealthy and prestigious Bouvier family. Her father, Major John Vernou Bouvier Jr, was a successful New York attorney and judge, ensuring his children a life of luxury in New York’s high society.

Things were looking up for the Big Edie.

 Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

2. She Was Connected To The Kennedys

As a Bouvier, Big Edie was surrounded by wealth, status, and power—and, as her family grew, so did her insane connections. One of Big Edie’s brothers, John Vernou Bouvier III, was the father of none other than Jacqueline Lee Bouvier—the future First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. However, Big Edie was far from presidential herself.

 Heritage Images, Getty Images

3. She Had A Rebellious Streak

Unlike her well-mannered siblings, Big Edie had a wild streak from the get-go—stubborn with authority and difficult to control. Her antics were so notorious that Bouvier historian John Davis once attributed them to her “French genes," hinting at a natural inclination toward defiance. From the sounds of it, she was accustomed to giving orders, not taking them.

 Archive Photos, Getty Images

4. She Believed She Had Royal Roots

Big Edie never shied away from grandiose claims about her heritage. During a casual conversation with her neighbor, Big Edie reportedly remarked, “Oh yes, we’re all (Bouviers) descended from fourteenth-century French kings”. Whether a fact or a fantasy, she carried herself as if she belonged among the nobility—and she expected to be treated as such.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

5. She Showed Talent From A Young Age

From the time she was a child, Big Edie’s artistic nature made itself apparent. By 10, she had already gained a reputation as a gifted singer and pianist. Though her family expected her to marry well and conform to high society norms, her true passion lay in music—something she would later refuse to abandon, no matter the cost.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

6. She Took A Bite Out Of The Big Apple

When the Bouvier family relocated from Nutley to New York, Big Edie embraced the glitz and glamor of Manhattan’s elite circle. As an attractive, fashionable, and charming young lady, she became a sought-after guest at society events. However, while she basked in the limelight, someone glowered at her from the sidelines.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

7. Her Father Considered Her A Disappointment

Big Edie’s father, John Vernou Bouvier, had high expectations for his daughter. And they did not include late-night parties and voice lessons. He saw Big Edie’s passion for music and mischief as “wasted” time and distraction from her true purpose: securing a respectable marriage. In Big Edie’s defense, good men were hard to find.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

8. She Had A Promising Engagement

It seemed like Big Edie might fulfill her father’s hopes when she became engaged to Horace R Bigelow Allen, a promising society man. Their impending marriage had all of New York abuzz, but Big Edie’s fairy tale ending never came. In 1916, she and Horace called off their engagement.

What ensued was a dizzying love triangle that connected Big Edie to an actual prince!

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

9. She Sent Her Ex-Fiancé Packing

Big Edie didn’t just break off the engagement with Allen—she sent him packing. Once their engagement fell apart, Allen fled to the battlefields of WWI, joining the Red Cross as an ambulance driver. Big Edie thought that she had seen the last Allen, but he’d resurface in her life in a scandalous way.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

10. She Was Her Ex-Fiancé’s Lover’s Secret Child’s Aunt—For A Time

Allen went on to marry another socialite, Kiki Gwynne, who society insiders dubbed “the girl with the silver syringe” because of her addiction problems. Things got weird for Big Edie, however, when Kiki allegedly had a secret child with Prince George, Duke of Kent. That love child, Michael Canfield, later married none other than Big Edie’s niece, Lee Radziwill.

Fortunately, her next engagement wouldn’t be quite so scandalous—at least, not at first.

 Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

11. She Married A Man Just Like Her Dad

After her first failed engagement, Big Edie didn’t stray far from her father’s expectations—at least on paper. In 1917, she married Phelan Beale, a successful attorney 14 years older than her, who would go on to become her father’s law partner. But despite the picture-perfect match, their marriage would unravel in spectacular fashion.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

12. She Had A Wedding Fit For A Queen

As one of the preeminent society ladies and New York’s most eligible bachelorette, Big Edie’s wedding turned into a giant affair. Her nuptials to Phelan Beale at St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City had an exclusive guest list and became one of the social highlights of the season. However, it seemed that everyone except for Big Edie was happy about it.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

13. She Made Her Wedding All About Music

For most brides, their dress is the highlight of the wedding—but not for Big Edie. Her main concern was the music. She insisted on an extravagant choir and a soprano soloist, ensuring that her passion for music was front and center on her big day. She got exactly what she wanted—and then regretted it.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

14. She Admitted She Wanted The Spotlight

Looking back on her wedding day, Big Edie wasn’t exactly happy that she got everything she wanted. She later confessed that, as she stood on the altar, she wished she had been performing the soprano solo herself. Her love for music and performing left little room in her life for anything (or anyone) else.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

15. She Had A Daughter Who Would Change Everything

After their marriage, Big Edie and Phelan Beale had three children together: two sons and a daughter named Edith, or “Little Edie” to distinguish her from her mother. While her boys would go on to lead conventional lives, Big Edie’s daughter would become her closest companion—and, eventually, her partner in eccentricity.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

16. She Refused To Play By The Rules

Big Edie refused to become a docile society wife. Instead, with an independent spirit and a penchant for theatrics, she gained a reputation for being extravagant and self-seeking. Her love of music and performance often took precedence over her marriage. It wasn’t long before the cracks appeared.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

17. She Bought A House Fit For A Star

In 1923, Big Edie and Phelan Beale bought Grey Gardens, a grand estate in the wealthy enclave of East Hampton. Nestled near the ocean, the property was picturesque, but it wasn’t just a summer retreat for Big Edie. It would become the stage for her most dramatic performances—both on and off the piano.

 Taber Andrew Bain, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

18. She Turned Her Home Into A Bohemian Salon

Unlike the stiff parlors of her socialite peers, Big Edie’s Grey Gardens was a haven for artists and musicians. The enigmatic socialite surrounded herself with creatives and spent her days singing, playing the piano, and indulging in endless conversations about music and art. It was a world of her own making—one that didn’t include her husband.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

19. She Lived As If She Were Already A Star

Big Edie didn’t just play music; she lived for it. With servants at her disposal, she structured her days around practicing her operatic mezzo-soprano voice and entertaining guests. While other society wives played the role of dutiful hostesses, Big Edie always took center stage. Sadly, the spotlight didn’t love her back.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

20. She Chased A Dream That Wasn't Meant To Be

Big Edie was never truly satisfied with performing for her friends and family in her salon. What she really wanted was a professional singing career. To fulfill her fantasies, she hired an accompanist and performed at private parties and intimate venues, convinced she was destined for the stage. Her performances were…memorable.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

21. She Dressed Like No One Else

When she wasn’t capturing everyone’s attention with her mezzo-soprano, Big Edie was turning heads with her fashion choices. While other East Hampton elites draped themselves in pearls and prim suits, she wore whatever she pleased—caftans, turbans, and layers of mismatched fabrics. In fact, she took pride in standing out.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

22. She Rejected The Social Register

For New York’s high society, inclusion in the Social Register was a badge of honor. True to form, however, Big Edie chose to defy convention. She reportedly refused to have her name listed on the vaunted Register, causing a scandal amongst her Hamptons neighbors. It was more than her poor husband could bear.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

23. She Embarrassed Her Husband

Big Edie’s free-spirited ways weren’t just an affront to high society; they humiliated her husband. Phelan Beale thought he had married a respectable Bouvier only to watch Big Edie fall further and further into eccentricity. Her flamboyant bohemian ways caused him to turn red in the cheeks.

His next move left Big Edie uncharacteristically speechless.

 Louverture Films, That Summer (2017)

24. She Lost Her Marriage, But Kept Her House

By 1931, Big Edie’s theatrical lifestyle had become too much for her husband to take. In a shockingly public rebuke of his wife’s behavior, Beale separated from Big Edie, retreating to his hunting lodge. Big Edie remained at Grey Gardens alone, where her eccentric behavior only got worse.

 Louverture Films, That Summer (2017)

25. She Was Cut Off Financially

Following their separation, Beale provided Big Edie with child support—but little else. He refused to pay Big Edie alimony, leaving her for the first time in her life, in an increasingly precarious financial situation. But true to form, she refused to change her ways—unaware that her lavish lifestyle was about to come crashing down.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

26. Her Marriage Came To An Unceremonious End

By 1946, Beale had given up on Big Edie and her increasingly odd behavior. And he expressed his exasperation with her in a blunt telegram. Phelan Beale, now living a separate life, had ended their marriage from afar, securing the divorce in Mexico. Big Edie barely acknowledged the divorce—perhaps because she didn't think it was real.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

27. Her Divorce Was “Fake”

Despite the paperwork from Mexico, there was doubt as to whether Big Edie’s divorce was binding. Since the Catholic Church didn’t recognize the divorce, Big Edie’s daughter, Little Edie, dismissed it as a “fake Mexican divorce”. Even so, Little Edie was about to show Big Edie support in a big way.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

28. Her Daughter Moved In With Her

In July 1952, Big Edie’s world shifted again when her daughter, Little Edie, returned home after years in Manhattan. What was supposed to be a temporary visit turned into something far more permanent. The two eccentric women would soon find themselves bound together in a life of increasing isolation—and wild speculation.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

29. She Couldn’t Afford To Keep Up Appearances

With her husband gone and financial support dwindling, Big Edie struggled to maintain Grey Gardens, especially with another mouth to feed. The once grand estate became a burden—one she refused to relinquish, even as it crumbled around her. She held on, determined to make it work, no matter the cost.

Especially if she was never the one footing the bill.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

30. She Relied On Her Father’s Pity

Even with Little Edie’s help, Big Edie couldn’t maintain Grey Gardens and she was forced to turn to her reluctant father for help. Despite her age, Big Edie’s father agreed to give her an allowance of $3,500 a year to keep herself afloat. But even her own father couldn’t countenance her odd behavior for much longer.

 Louverture Films, That Summer (2017)

31. She Made A Scene At Her Son’s Wedding

Big Edie always sought out the spotlight—even if it wasn’t hers. And her son’s 1942 wedding was no exception. Rather than arriving with grace as the mother of the groom, she turned up nearly half an hour late, dressed as if she were making a grand stage entrance. The stunt left guests murmuring—but her father absolutely fuming.

 Louverture Films, That Summer (2017)

32. She Lost Her Inheritance

Big Edie’s flair for the theatrical had always tested her father’s patience, but her antics at her own son’s wedding were the last straw. Just two days after the ceremony, he rewrote his will, slashing her inheritance from a hefty $825,000 to just $65,000. Then he added insult to injury.

 Louverture Films, That Summer (2017)

33. She Had A Paltry Allowance

As if disinheriting her wasn’t enough, Big Edie’s father went even further in punishing her for her diva-like behavior. Instead of granting her free access to her remaining inheritance, he put her on a strict allowance of $300 per month, ensuring she couldn’t squander it on music, parties, or—worse—more eccentric fashion choices.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

34. She Sold Family Heirlooms To Stay Afloat

With her financial resources dwindling, Big Edie turned to desperate means: pawning off her family treasures. Big Edie often nudged visitors to Grey Gardens to “go shopping” as she and Little Edie put it. She sold off Tiffany silver, antique jewelry, and other Bouvier heirlooms straight from under her mattress.

Sadly, even that wasn’t enough.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

35. Her Home Became A Public Health Hazard

By the 1970s, Big Edie had just about given up on any pretense of normality. Grey Gardens, her once spectacular Hamptons home, had deteriorated into an infamous wreck that resembled something from a backwater bayou. In October 1971, the authorities had no choice and raided the estate, only to find a crumbling mansion filled with “litter, rife with the odor of cats and in violation of various local ordinances”.

But Big Edie had no intention of leaving her decaying paradise.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

36. She Faced Eviction From Grey Gardens

Following the raid on her home, Big Edie wasn’t just a curious recluse—she was on the verge of becoming homeless. The Suffolk County Board of Health deemed Grey Gardens uninhabitable and planned to evict her and her daughter. With the neighbors in full support of the eviction, it seemed only a matter of time before Big Edie would be out on the street.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

37. She Was Rescued By A Famous Family Member

Big Edie’s eviction seemed inevitable—until an unexpected savior arrived. Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the former First Lady and Big Edie’s niece, stepped in alongside her sister Lee Radziwill to prevent further embarrassment to the family. The two socialites reportedly paid thousands of dollars to clean up Grey Gardens, allowing Big Edie to stay put.

For better or worse.

 Magnus Karlsson, Flickr

38. Her Family Spent A Fortune On Repairs

Saving Grey Gardens wasn’t just a matter of dusting off some furniture. Big Edie’s family reportedly shelled out a staggering $30,000 to restore the home, clear the back taxes, and keep the property from being auctioned off by the town. The mansion may have been saved, but Big Edie and her equally eccentric daughter had no intention of changing their ways.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

39. She Lived Off A Family Stipend

After the intervention of her famous relatives, Big Edie managed to keep a roof over her head, but her financial struggles only intensified. With no income of her own, she and Little Edie relied on a family stipend. By then, however, even the Bouvier estate trust fund had run dry. Fortunately, an unexpected source of income was around the corner.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

40. She Became A Documentary Star

As news of Big Edie’s strange, secluded life spread, filmmakers Albert and David Maysles became utterly intrigued. They met Big Edie and Little Edie in 1971 after Lee Radziwell hired them to produce a film about the Bouviers. But though this footage never saw the light of day, their encounter with the infamous Edies planted a seed in the Maysles's minds for a different film entirely.

In 1973, the brothers secured permission to make a cinéma vérité documentary about the mother-daughter duo. What resulted was a rare and raw look into the world of the eccentric Edies that sparked immediate controversy.

 Maysles Films, Grey Gardens (1975)

41. She Talked, And Talked…And Talked

When the Maysles brothers rolled their cameras, Big Edie didn’t hold back—her moment in the spotlight had arrived. The documentary captured 94 minutes of jaw-dropping monologues from both women. Often, they spoke over each other, filling the air with chaotic, rambling conversations.

It was a painful stroll down memory lane.

 Maysles Films, Grey Gardens (1975)

42. She Never Let Go Of Her Dreams

Even in squalor, Big Edie never lost her love for music or sense of artistic whimsy and wonder. She reminisced about her “perfect marriage, beautiful children," and her once-promising singing career. And just to prove she still had it, she regaled the filmmakers with a full-throated version of “Tea for Two”. But Big Edie wasn’t the only one with something to share with the cameras.

 HBO, Grey Gardens (2009)

43. Her Daughter Resented Her Influence

Little Edie had her own grievances to air. She openly blamed her mother for keeping her trapped in Grey Gardens and robbing her of a life in Manhattan. She recalled how, two decades ago, she had been forced to bid the Barbizon Hotel adieu and head home—effectively ending her independence and leaving her tied at the hip to her mother.

Little Edie even revealed some of Big Edie’s biggest secrets.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

44. She Had An Unusual Solution For Cat Waste

As was evident by the state of her home, Big Edie had no interest in housekeeping, let alone dealing with the many, many cats roaming Grey Gardens. Instead of using litter boxes, she opted for a more…unconventional method. As Little Edie complained, “My mother doesn’t believe in kitty litter. She prefers boxes and paper”.

The camera captured some even stranger behavior.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

45. She Had Odd Dining Habits

At Grey Gardens, despite Big Edie’s upbringing, dinner etiquette went out the window. Instead of fine china and silverware, Big Edie and her daughter ate ice cream with knives and used kitchen utensils in ways that defied logic. One of their more unusual habits? Balancing peas on a knife before eating them.

But they didn’t share all of their secrets.

 Maysles Films, Grey Gardens (1975)

46. She Applied For Food Stamps In Secret

Despite receiving some proceeds from the documentary, Big Edie’s financial situation continued to get worse. In fact, it was way worse than anyone knew. In secret, Big Edie had applied for food stamps through her friend, Lois Wright, ensuring that no one would know just how dire things had become.

Even so, she seemed quite happy.

 Louverture Films, That Summer (2017)

47. She Had No Regrets About Grey Gardens

When Big Edie’s big screen debut, Grey Gardens, hit theaters, critics debated whether the film was an intimate portrait or an act of exploitation. But Big Edie had no such concerns. “They're very nice people,” she said of the filmmakers. To her, the documentary was not an invasion—it was her long-overdue spotlight.

And she basked in its warmth.

 Maysles Films, Grey Gardens (1975)

48. She Finally Got Her 15 Minutes

Rather than feeling humiliated by the film’s depiction of her crumbling mansion and unconventional lifestyle, Big Edie embraced it. “It’s the greatest thing that ever happened to me in my old age,” she declared. “Nobody else wanted to take my picture. I'm thrilled”.

But her final high came before a big fall.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

49. Her Health Declined After A Fall

In 1976, just as her star was finally rising, Big Edie experienced a devastating fall. The terrible tumble left her dependent on a wheelchair. Already in poor health, she grew weaker as the months passed, while Little Edie remained by her side, caring for her mother in their decaying estate.

 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

50. Her Last Words Were About Grey Gardens

On February 5, 1977, Big Edie sang her final song when she succumbed to pneumonia at Southampton Hospital. She was buried in the Bouvier family plot, but her final thoughts remained with the home she shared with her daughter. Reportedly, when Little Edie asked if she had any last words, Big Edie had a simple response: “There’s nothing more to say. It’s all in the film”.

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 Maysles Films, The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6