A Very Private Woman : The Life and Unsolved Murder of Presidential Mistress Mary Meyer

by Nina Burleigh

One of the enduring mysteries of recent decades was the murder of Mary Pinchot Meyer, the well-born, beautiful, rebellious, and intelligent ex-wife of a CIA official, who was killed on a quiet Georgetown towpath in 1964. Mary Meyer was a mistress of JFK, and after her death, news that she had kept a diary set off a tense search for the document by CIA spymaster James Jesus Angelton as well as Mary's brother-in-law, journalist Ben Bradlee. But the crime was never solved, and today her life and death are still a source of fascination, as Nina Burleigh will reveal in a book that looks at a heady, sometimes glamorous period in the nation's capitol, and at a woman who embodied the grace and turbulence of her times.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, History, Biography, Politics, Crime, American History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Nina is an award-winning author and journalist and documentary producer with wide-ranging interests including politics, history, conservation, exploration and science. She has written seven books and has been published in the New Yorker, Time, New York and People, among many other journals and rags. She publishes a national political substack called American Freakshow. She has occasionally shellacked her hair for television, including Good Morning America, Nightline, and various programs on CNN and C-Span, as well as flogged books on NPR and countless radio outlets.

The daughter of author and artist Robert Burleigh and Berta Burleigh, a teacher who emigrated to the USA from Iraq in the 1950s, Nina was born and educated in the Midwest, has traveled extensively in the Middle East and lived in Italy and France. She covered the Clinton White House for Time and reported and wrote human interest stories at People Magazine from New York. She is an adjunct professor at New York University and has lectured in Norway, Mexico, Italy and around the US..

Her first novel, Zero Visibility Possible, will be published in 2024, the first in a trilogy of dark satires about characters grappling with aspects of climate change, conspiracy theories and disinformation.

Her nonfiction books include The Trump Women: Part of the Deal, a lively study of the women in Trump's world; Unholy Business, a true tale of how modern science is being used to support the curious world of biblical relic trade and forgery; her book about Napoleon's scientists in Egypt, Mirage, was selected by the New York Times as an editors' choice and won the Society of Women Educators' Award in 2008.

Reviews

[Bob Mayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing look into a character who may, or may not, have had a large role in our history. Was she JFK's confidant through the Cuban Missile Crisis?

What I found fascinating, and led to writing my latest book, is the fact she was murdered almost a year after JFK's assassination and the killer was never found. The way she was killed-- bullet to the heart and head, suggests a professional. Even more interesting, is the day after she was killed, Khrushchev was forced out of power.

It's these quirks of history that often give me the best ideas for writing. Truth is stranger than fiction.

Did Angleton from the CIA really destroy her diary? Was it even the real diary?

This book is an intimate look into the lives of the powerful in Washington; an underbelly few have evr experienced.

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Baby Boomers like myself, this book takes you back to 'simpler times', the 50s-70s. It turns out that those simpler times weren't so simple after all. Post-war Washington was still considered a small town; WWII veterans, mostly officers, men considered heroes by their peers, are filing the ranks of the replacement for the OSS - the CIA. Even though this book is a biography of Mary Pinchot Myers, the author takes you through the changing landscape of the times. Some of the things I learned in this book were: -a young Gloria Steinem received CIA funds to organize the American student presence at the Vienna Youth Festival in 1958, an event expected to be under Soviet influence - the CIA funded research into LSD, disguising the source of funds through false foundations - JFK had a voracious appetite for women...women other than the beautiful Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy - the murder of Mary Meyer, presidential mistress, was never solved; some think it was the work of the CIA...we'll never know. Only one of the ten chapters in this book deals with the affair with JFK, but the remaining chapters were very informative for me. There's nothing special about the writing, but it's the progression through that periods, and all of the changes in society, race relations, international posturing, and national security that intrigued me - I enjoyed reading 'A Very Private Woman: The Life and Unsolved Murder of Presidential Mistress Mary Meyer.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who was Mary Pinchot Meyer? Beautiful, youthful, intelligent freethinker. A socialite niece of Gifford Pinchot. While working as a news correspondent, she met Cord Meyer, who became a CIA opperative; after their marriage, friendships followed in an elite Washington, DC circle. A Georgetown resident, an abstract-expressionist painter, and an LSD self-experimenter, Mary eventually became a mistress of President John Kennedy, whom she had originally met in her college years. After Kennedy was assassinated, she expressed fears that she might be on a hit list. In fact, she was shot to death on a Georgetown towpath near her home less than a year after Kennedy died.

The murder is an unsolved case. Some who knew Mary claimed she had kept a diary — a belief that provoked a resolute search for the book by a couple of prominent public figures.

Believe me, it’s an intriguing story. While Burleigh’s book doesn’t presume to decisively solve the mysteries of Mary’s life (her death being the foremost), the facts are laid out so as to stir contemplation and spur continued investigation.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book, especially if you live in DC (and yes, I started to read this before I realized that a movie about Mary Meyer was coming out). My only complaint is that the author seems to have come up with certain key themes or summary points that she uses over and over to clarify a section and transistion to the next -- led to over use of the same sentences over and over again through the book, but that was interspersed with a lot of interesting information about DC, the DC art scene in the '50s/'60s, the CIA, Kennedy, Timothy Leary etc.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not enough coverage was given to the trial, which is the most important part of Crump and Meyer's historical link. Burleigh erroneously referred to African-Americans as refugees early in the book, thus I did not have high expectations for unbiased coverage. It is worth mentioning the ancestral African race that built America without monetary compensation are hardly refugees! This story highlights the sad reality of Caucasian corruption seeping into the African-American community. Rather than getting Crump help with his mental health challenges, the system tried to incarcerate him.

[Jeri Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing particularly spectacular about the writing style. But the actual true story of Mary Meyer's life was very interesting. I am an artist myself so I was interested in the group of artists she associated with. I looked them up on the internet to see what their work looked like. Her comings and goings at the White House was also very interesting.

[Carmen Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facts vs rumors

Author gives detailed history of the world in which Mary lived. Also states rumors allowing the reader to reach their own conclusions. I found this book interesting and was astounded by how tightly knit the group of elite people around Kennedy were connected since his childhood as were many Washington elites.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given the salacious topics in play, this somehow managed to be dry. She was a presidential mistress who ran with Timothy O'Leary and then was murdered. In addition, she was an interesting person without the gossip. And there were a few chapters on one of the first black attorneys and her defense of the suspected murderer. 5 star topics, 3 star book.

[Beth Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh!! Books about unsolved crimes are ultimately so unsatisfying!! And while this has lots of fascinating information about the beginning of the CIA, the art scene in Washington DC in the 50's & 60's, racism during that time, conspiracy theories both about her and JFK's death, it's not exactly a page turner, so it's definitely not a fast read. I really liked this quote in relation to, not only assassinations but so many events that happen in our world. "Fate often flings strange coincidences around public assassinations and baffling crimes such as Mary's murder. Those seeking a framework of order and purpose in the chaos and intrigue of the early 1960's see endless links and coincidences between her killing and Kennedy's." And the info following that kind of blows your mind.

[Marie Carmean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh how complex are my feelings about this book! Yes, I did like it. I almost gave it another star because after all, it is extremely well-researched and well-written! But, the life of this ill-fated woman really disturbed me. The world I wasn't aware of that existed in the 60s disturbed me, though I have made myself aware of many of its darker aspects in my adult years. I am no longer the naïve teen I was in those years, happy with a simple existence that was NOT complex. And yet this swirl of complexity did exist even as I was immersed in Simon & Garfunkel tunes and sundresses and first romantic love. I was appreciative of its raw telling of the tale, helping us to understand all that was going on in those years of JFK's rise to prominence and then assassination and so many sordid plots. I wanted to read about this woman who held Kennedy's fascination, even as Marilyn Monroe and others did behind the scenes, and the rise of the everlasting war that eventually held its power over my own life. Timothy Leary culture, misogynistic men, overindulgence in smoking and drinking and catting around in circles of power were things on another plane as I worried about fitting in with my peers, then planning my wedding and beginning my adult life. Those things were very real, and tempered our very government and thus our history. It was a raw read, but one I appreciated.

[Andrea Eckelman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn’t grab me like I thought it would. It is an interesting portrait of women who went to college, but were then expected to be dedicated wives and mothers. Mary Meyer bucked tradition somewhat, but unfortunately very little is known since her diary was destroyed after her murder. I was disappointed by the lack of information surrounding both her affair with Kennedy and her death. But, if you like this era of history, and don’t mind things being uncertain or unclear, you might love this book!

[Margie Fenton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't at all what I expected. Most of the book contained tangential details, very remote to the "unsolved murder" and "presidential mistress" subjects in the title. The presentation was dry, like a basic term paper that went on for hundreds of pages. In retrospect, I should have read the introduction and first chapter and stopped there.

[Chamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book,well written,kept me wondering.

[Lindsay Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently finished Mary's Mosaic, also about Mary Pinchot Meyer. She was a member of the Pinchot family, which included her uncle Gifford Pinchot who was a friend of Teddy Roosevelt, the first head of the US Forest Service, and governor of Pennsylvania. She went to Brearly and Vassar before marrying Cord Meyer, who started out as an idealistic war hero and ended up a big wheel in the CIA.
The family lived in fashionable society in Georgetown and then McLean, VA. While living in McLean, one of her sons died after being hit by a car while crossing their street. The tragedy hastened the end of her marriage. She moved back to Georgetown as an attractive divorcee and took up painting in a studio behind her brother-in-law Ben Bradlee's nearby house. She took daily walks on the C&O Canal towpath. On a fall day in 1964, she was shot and killed while on one of those walks. Ray Crump, a young Black man, was arrested nearby. He was tried for the killing but acquitted largely because he lucked into a great defense attorney who was probably underestimated because she was a Black woman.
We know who Mary Meyer is because it turned out she had been having an affair with John F. Kennedy. That, and her CIA connection through her ex-husband, made her mysterious death a source of endless speculation and conspiracy theories. This book takes a more serious and less conspiratorial tone than most other books/articles/podcasts/videos about her. The author ultimately concludes that Crump was probably the killer and that Mary Pinchot Meyer is worth knowing about even if she wasn't the victim of a CIA conspiracy. Neither a poor little rich girl nor an everywoman, Mary Meyer was an upper middle-class socialite muddling through changing times and the author did make her story interesting.
My family moved to DC in 1971, seven years after her death. I went to a private school with children of people like her. Twenty years later, I lived in a changing Georgetown. While I didn't know any CIA bigwigs, I did know people with the odd job descriptions and unusual travel histories that we all took to equal CIA. I knew people in the arts community and people who knew Kennedys as well. One of the people mentioned is the mother of one of my schoolmates - although I don't think I ever met her. I found this story enlightening because I had been sort of adjacent to it and yet completely oblivious.
While I enjoyed the listen on the whole, the narrator's mispronunciation of key names and places was a little disconcerting.

[Frida Dillenbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting snippet of biographical history of several persons involved in the late 1950s early 1960s government. This book was sort of a summary of various personalities surrounding JFK while in office. These specific personalities were small players on a large field. I listened to this book after finishing “JFK and the unspeakable” by Douglas which is a thoroughly captivating nonfiction history book of putting all the pieces of the assassination from years prior to just after.

Mary Meyer’s story is interesting from the standpoint of having known so many heavy political people especially CIA members. I’m curious as to her motivations on seemingly not to be concerned for her safety considering two other JFK courtesans had died of mysterious causes. She knew the who’s who in the CIA and government leadership and was possibly privy to global security information and secrets. Or was she counting on her long time relationships with James Angleton and her ex-husband Cord Meyer, both CIA officials to keep her ‘safe’. So interesting that Mary Meyer is only one name on the lengthy list of people murdered before during and soon after JFK’s death. So many things were in play during this period within the era of Cold War with USSR.

After having read several nonfiction books that include the covert antics plots and deceptions, ultimately my conclusion is that Truman created a monster with the CIA which is not accountable to any. JFK was right to want to scatter it into 1000 pieces, thus he was executed. Sad! If JFK had lived to lead, we may be in a peaceful position with Russia now but we will never know.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible story of Mary Pinchot Meyer, an American aristocrat who was JFK's mistress at one point and was murdered under extremely mysterious and questionable circumstances not long after his assassination. Was it coincidence that she kept a detailed diary of the affair, or that her husband was a high ranking CIA official? Hmmm.... I could not put this one down and the story has lingered on my mind. Highly recommend this if you are into the whole Kennedy family saga.

[Jeff Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, well researched, and well-thought out portrait of the generation that took charge after the 50's... an insider's version of Camelot, really, although that term is never used, and this isn't JFK-centric. It's the Georgetown society that that he stepped into, and helped make; the high-bred society that centered around the CIA and the journalists that were the driving force in the Washington of the 60's.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook is definitely the way to go with this book. The narrator did an amazing job with the narrative. Burleigh crafted an excellent biography especially considering the constraints on primary sources concerning Mary, the subject, herself. I loved the history of the setting which kept me intrigued about the world she moved in, wanting to learn more.

[Ruthanne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. It was well researched, well written & answered a multitude of questions which I didn't know to ask as I was a child during the period covered. I graduate from high school in 1961, & much of the nformatin present d in this book was not available or not discussed.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating biography of Mary Pinchot Meyer but even more fascinating was the view of Washington, the CiA, and DC culture during the Cold War. I learned a lot in from this well written bio. (Another read at the gym on my Kindle book.)

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story about the life of Mary Meyer is more interesting than the book itself. The author raises questions about her murder, yet provides no insights other than to suggest it was “suspicious” given her connection to JFK.

[Amanda Johnson]

DNF. Skimmed a lot of it and really only read 2 to 3 chapters ( murder, trial and after). A lot of information that I just couldn't get into in the beginning. It is an interesting story and one none of my parents or MIL knew about 🤔

[Charlene McGrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

This was a story I was not familiar with so it was very interesting. Slot of research went into writing this book.

[Pegeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worth only for setting the scene of the 50’s and 60’s.

[Karo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Other people seemed to like this book a lot, I didn't.

[Kathleen Cochran · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of background information I ended up skipping.

Hard to read - emotionally. Hard to believe I lived through those times.

[Leslie Zemeckis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of DC -
Washington women JFK and his very private and dead mistress

[Kim Gasparini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull.

[Melissa Scheffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This murder IS saved - it's clear who did it - but that life snuff pales in comparison to the ruthless CIA expurgation and expunging of the lives of CIA wives. Riveting.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty years ago I visited the John F. Kennedy (JFK) museum located within the former Texas School Book Depository building in Dallas, the infamous building in the JFK assassination. It was a moving experience and almost as unforgettable as visiting Pearl Harbor. Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. entered the U. S. Presidential race. In an interview he was asked if he believed the CIA was involved in his uncle’s assassination. “No doubt.” And…I would add there was likely CIA involvement in the death of Mary Pinchot Meyer, intellectual and sexual mistress of JFK during his Presidency. Mary is a very interesting woman. How much of a role in the Presidency and our history did she have?

Mary Pinchot Meyer, a painter and one of many White House mistresses of John F. Kennedy (JFK) during his term as President, however arguably the most significant and the classiest. Her relationship with him after her divorce is also described as a great friendship. Mary was an extraordinary woman at a time when women, according to JFK, were inferior, except for Mary Meyer. Mary was beautiful, intelligent, part of the Georgetown inner circle and served as a key JFK confidant alongside only his trusted male advisors. (JFK makes Clinton and Trump look like choirboys in the mistress department.) Reportedly, JFK and Mary had state and private dinners, smoked weed, did cocaine and LSD at the White House during the evenings. White House visitor logs show many entries where Mary was picked up usually around 7:30 pm and taken home around midnight secretly from the White House. Mary, whose ex-husband was in the CIA, had a couple of confidants herself who knew of the diary she kept and her letters of time spent with JFK in the White House. Mary had insider knowledge of CIA secrets and significant events and challenges facing the White House.

A Very Private Woman is a carefully documented history and timeline of U.S. and world events during JFK’s presidency, the controversies that surrounded them and his many sexual exploitations often timed around events. His appetite for women was voracious. He used them and disrespected most of them outwardly all while Jackie and the children were away. Staff, Secret Service, the press and friends all covering for him. It is interesting that he is often revered as one of our significant presidents despite his personal behavior. Jackie, a classy, (too classy for him) stunningly beautiful and wonderful mother to their children, perhaps didn’t care so she ignored his dalliances and focused on the children and the lifestyle the Presidency provided.

After JFK’s assassination, Mary held strong. By that time, their friendship and confidant status had been strong. Along comes just a normal day for Mary. She heads out from her Georgetown townhouse on a sunny day at noon for her daily walk. A CIA car passes her early in her walk. Later in her familiar walk, she is brutally murdered. A suspected killer, Ray Crump, a North Carolina native with a previous criminal record, is captured along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (allegedly fishing but having no fishing gear and wet from an alleged fall in the canal) where Mary was brutally shot twice at close range. Crump is tried but not convicted. After his acquittal, he continued his life of violent crime. So often the way it goes.

Where are Mary’s letters and diary? Burned as reported? Hidden and still in existence somewhere? Mary’s ex-husband (a prominent CIA guy) broke into her townhouse after her death presumably looking for her diary. There were several in the CIA with cause and nervousness about her knowledge from her time with the President. Mary knew of the connection between the CIA, Kennedy administration and mafia in a plot to assassinate Castro. There were also plots to assassinate Kennedy. James Angleton, also with the CIA, took charge of Mary’s diary and papers after her death. He claims he burned it all.

Was Mary a spy for the CIA, the CIA that covered their involvement in the death of JFK? Or was she truly an ally of JFK and unfortunately knew too much so the CIA took her life?

If you are most interested in Mary’s relationship with the President, you will get snippets of it throughout the book. There is only one chapter solely dedicated to it. It is not a steamy account of their time together. The broader connection between Mary and JFK was reportedly intellectual and trust which is much of the rationale why their friends, secret service and others did not leak their relationship. If the history of events of the 1960’s during JFK Presidency and their tie to the Presidency is of interest, this is your book for an insiders look. The story is laid out more as an investigative reporter would write. It was not as I expected but nonetheless, interesting. Author Nina Burleigh is a somewhat controversial investigative reporter and author. She carefully documented her information sources, 48 pages of source citing and over 150 interviews.

To this day, there are still more questions than answers.