Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird

Marjorie Winifred Kendall was born on September 3, 1898, in Pevely, Jefferson County, Missouri. She was the daughter of Benjamin F. Kendall and Martha Elizabeth Kendall. Her father worked for the railroad, and she spent her early childhood living in modest circumstances near the railroad yards. In 1917 she left Missouri and traveled to New York City.

Winnie Kendall

After arriving in New York she became involved in theatrical circles. She was engaged as a dancer in the Ziegfeld Follies after being noticed by Florenz Ziegfeld. During this period she performed on stage and lived independently while pursuing a career in entertainment.

Wallis Clinton Bird

Wallis Clinton Bird was the only son of a wealthy Wall Street attorney who was also a major stockholder in Standard Oil. He had a strong interest in the arts and theater and attended Broadway productions regularly. He first saw Winifred Kendall performing in the Ziegfeld Follies and afterward sought her acquaintance. They began seeing one another in New York, where he introduced her to the city's nightlife and social scene, including prominent clubs and restaurants.

Marjorie and Wallis were married on May 16, 1930, in Elkton, Maryland. After their marriage they moved to Farnsworth, the former C. K. G. Billings estate Wallis purchased in 1925 on the Gold Coast of Long Island in Locust Valley, New York.

At Farnsworth the Birds maintained an extensive estate operation. Bird kept a stable of approximately forty horses and assembled a large automobile collection housed in a purpose built garage. The collection included Hispano Suiza, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Stutz, Bentley, and Alfa Romeo vehicles, all maintained by a staff of mechanics. The estate became known for large scale entertaining, including outdoor events and performances held on the grounds.

Bird also undertook extensive motion picture filming at Farnsworth. Using professional grade cameras, projectors, and editing equipment, he recorded daily life, parties, and staged entertainments at the estate. These films were screened regularly in the ballroom. Marjorie Bird appeared prominently in the footage, which documented social life on the Gold Coast during the interwar years.

During this period she traveled frequently, acquired couture clothing and jewelry, and became a visible figure in society. She was featured in fashion publications and appeared on best dressed lists. Her public appearances and presentation became closely associated with the Birds' social standing and the spectacle of life at Farnsworth.

On June 5, 1940, Wallis Clinton Bird departed in his private airplane for a flight to the Catskills. While flying over the Hudson River region, the plane encountered a violent storm and was struck by lightning, causing it to crash near the water's edge. His body was recovered the following day. His death ended the marriage and marked a turning point in Marjorie Bird's life.

After his death she continued to reside at Farnsworth but gradually spent less time there. She traveled extensively and lived for long periods abroad, particularly in Europe. Over time she became increasingly isolated and dependent on those around her.

In 1949, while living in Paris, she became involved with Nicolas Sturdza, a man who presented himself as a Romanian prince. He assumed control over her personal affairs and finances. Around the same period she came under the care of Dr. Gerard Savoy, who presented himself as her personal physician.

During the following years she was administered large quantities of sedatives and other drugs, leaving her frequently incapacitated. Her access to independent communication was restricted, and valuable jewelry and assets were removed from her control.

In July 1961, while staying at the Beau Rivage Hotel in Lausanne, Switzerland, Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird died at the age of sixty two. Her death was initially certified as cerebral hemorrhage. Subsequent investigation and autopsy determined that she died from respiratory failure caused by prolonged drug administration. Both Savoy and Sturdza were later convicted and sentenced to prison. A significant portion of her jewelry was never recovered.

After her death Farnsworth and its contents were liquidated under court supervised estate proceedings. In May 1962 the furnishings, automobiles, and personal property of the estate were sold at auction on the premises.

Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird was entombed in the Bird Mausoleum at Hillside Cemetery in Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, New York.