Little Edie & Grey Gardens

Edith Bouvier Beale, known as "Little Edie," was the daughter of Phelan Beale, a wealthy lawyer, and Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale, who was part of the famous Bouvier family, which included her aunts, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis the former First Lady of the United States and Lee Radziwill. 

Little Edie

She grew up in a privileged environment, spending much of her early years in the family's grand estate, "Grey Gardens," in East Hampton, New York. Little Edie was highly educated and had a passion for fashion and performing arts.

In the 1950s, Little Edie and her mother, Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale, became reclusive and withdrew from New York society. They lived together in Grey Gardens, a once grand mansion that fell into disrepair over time. The two women were often the subject of local gossip, and their unusual lifestyle gained widespread attention.

Little Edie in Grey Gardens

In 1975, filmmakers Albert and David Maysles filmed a documentary titled Grey Gardens, which chronicled the eccentric lives of Little Edie and her mother. The film highlighted their isolation, quirky personalities, and complicated relationship, making them both cult figures in American pop culture.

Little Edie became an icon due to her unique fashion choices, which included wearing headscarves, dramatic outfits, and unconventional accessories. Her sharp wit, emotional vulnerability, and outspokenness in the documentary won the hearts of many fans.

After her mother's death in 1977, Little Edie sold Grey Gardens & moved around, eventually landing in Florida, where she lived a quieter life. She continued to maintain her celebrity status and even participated in public appearances. She often gave interviews about her life and the documentary, which had cemented her place in pop culture history.

Little Edie died on January 14, 2002 at the age of 84. She was buried in Locust Valley Cemetery with her brother Buddy and his family.