Tragic Facts About Kiki Preston, The Deadliest Socialite
Beautiful, hedonistic, and wild, Kiki Preston wasn’t your average American socialite. A member of the infamous Happy Valley set, she cultivated her own personal brand of controversial fun. Unfortunately, the thrill didn’t last.
As the party-girl extraordinaire became increasingly consumed by substance misuse, dark affairs, and perpetual tragedy, her life plunged into such a chaotic downward spiral that it’s really no surprise she met with such a heartbreaking end.
1. She Was Just Your Average Girl
Before she achieved notoriety as an overindulgent American socialite, Kiki Preston was just a regular New York girl…well, sort of. Born Alice Gwynne in 1898 in Hempstead, New York, Kiki was the daughter of Helen Steele and Edward Erskine Gwynne Sr. Oh, and the Gwynne’s were fairly well-to-do because they were basically akin to American royalty…
2. She Had Ritzy Relatives
Ever heard of the Vanderbilts? Well, Kiki’s father was the nephew of famous railroad gazillionaires Cornelius Vanderbilt and Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt—AKA Kiki’s namesake.
Moreover, Kiki’s mother came from an important family herself, having descended from a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence, Justice Samuel Chase.
In other words: Kiki lucked into a super privileged family with a lot of affluent connections. Still, they say money doesn’t buy happiness…
3. Her Early Years Were Tense
While it might sound amazing to grow up surrounded by wealthy relatives, Kiki’s childhood was filled with utter misery. Her parents really didn’t get along and had a turbulent marriage, eventually splitting only to reconcile once more. Sadly, the instability of her parent’s stormy union made a lasting impression on Kiki.
You see, kids sometimes grow into their parents, and in Kiki’s case, her hedonistic ways likely came from her father’s side of things.
4. Her Father Squandered Money
Kiki’s father, Edward, was a socialite through and through, albeit an unemployed one. Regarded as a man who “had extravagant tastes, expended money lavishly and was without business employment,”
Edward loved all the pomp and finery that came with living the high life. Unfortunately, his extravagant spending soon led to near-ruinous consequences for Kiki’s family.
