Slim Keith
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Slim Keith (1916–1990) was a New York socialite. Born Nancy Gross in Salinas, California, she invented her persona as a teenager. When she grew into a chic woman, she became known among the socially elite as Slim.
There were many qualities that made Slim a fascination to those around her. They included intelligence, a great sense of humor, beauty and a terrific interest in men. From an early age she knew how to dress well. By age 22, she had appeared on the cover of Harper's Bazaar, something she was to do many times throughout her life. She graced the Best Dressed list almost yearly [1], and was the first private citizen to receive the Nieman Marcus Fashion Award. This award was usually given to designers, and awarded to honor someone who has made an impact on fashion. She was also dubbed the original "California Girl", for her golden looks and athletic ability. Reputed to have a lovely singing voice, she considered a career in opera, before deciding it was too demanding.[2].
Film director Howard Hawks and Broadway entrepreneur Leland Hayward both divorced their wives to marry her. Although she was pursued by the likes of Clark Gable and Ernest Hemingway, she wrote that the one love of her life remained Hayward,[3] who in turn left her for another socialite, Pamela Churchill. Her next and last husband was British banker Kenneth Keith, who provided her with a title and whom she left in 1972 after a ten year marriage. Keith was a woman of style, but she was also boastful and betraying, as a gossiper who spared few friends.
The 1970s were a difficult time of readjustment for Slim. She lost both her best friends, Babe Paley and Truman Capote. Babe, an inveterate smoker, died of lung cancer; Truman was banished from Slim's life when he used her as the unflattering model for the fictional Lady Coolbirth of his infamous and unfinished Answered Prayers. She never spoke to him again.
The last years of her life were spent pursuing travel and quiet social activities in New York.
Slim Keith was portrayed in the film Infamous (2006) by Hope Davis.
[edit] Quote
"God blessed me with a happy spirit and many other gifts. What I was not blessed with I went out and got. Sometimes the price was too high, but I've never been much of a bargain hunter." from Slim: Memories of a Rich and Imperfect Life (1991).
[edit] References
- Keith, Slim with Annette Tapert (1991). Slim: Memories of a rich and imperfect life. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0-446-36196-8.
- Zilkha, Bettina (2004). Ultimate style: the best of the best dressed list. New York: Assouline. ISBN 2-84323-513-8.
- Jefferson, Margaux. She knew how to whistle. New York Times , June 24, 1990
