Perplexing Facts About Patty Hearst, The Fugitive Heiress
Captive Or Radical?
Born into an affluent family, Patricia Hearst was likely used to the public’s attention by the time she was 19, but then her whole life turned upside-down. What followed was one of the most sensationalized cases ever faced in America.
Seen as a domestic terrorist by some, and a hero by others, Patricia would live to answer for her actions and provide her side of the story—even if the details remain foggy to this day.
1. She Had All Sisters
Born on February 20, 1954, Patricia Hearst grew up with four sisters, but despite not being the only or oldest heiress, she certainly became the most well-known. Although Patricia carried a prominent name and enjoyed a somewhat normal life early on, she would eventually make national headlines.
2. She Pursued An Education
As with most children of important families, Patricia spent her formative years in several private schools around California. After graduation, she attended two post-secondary institutions—Menlo College and University of California, Berkeley.
Since high school, she had been seeing the older Steven Weed, to whom she became engaged in 1973.
At that point, she wasn’t the most famous Hearst, at least not yet.
3. He Was A Mogul
Stretching back to the mid-1800s, the Hearst family’s wealth was deep-rooted before Patricia was born. In her day, their opulence came directly from her grandfather, William Randolph Hearst. Ironically, considering Patricia’s future infamy, William made his fortune by creating one of the largest media companies in history—known for its sensationalist tabloid stories.
Through this, their place in America was deeply cemented.
4. They Were Powerful
Aside from wielding a strong financial influence, the Hearst family was a force to be reckoned with in American politics. William Randolph Hearst involved himself in the inner workings of the government for much of his life, even running for president in 1904. Despite suffering a heavy hit during the Great Depression, he still commanded significant authority.
Ultimately, this is where all the problems started.
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