Heiress: The Rich Life of Marjorie Merriweather Post

by William Wright

A portrait of cereal tycoon C. W. Post's only child reveals the way she commanded her inherited wealth down to her death at age eighty-six, examining her enormous estates and Manhattan apartment, extensive art treasures, business and diplomatic accomplishments, and marriages

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

316 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

This is William Wright (1930-2016).

Reviews

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a genial review of the heiress's life, told with a light touch and a sense of humor ((as well as a sense of the ridiculous.) Mrs. Post is an agreeable figure to spend some time with. She was not arrogant or imperious, but pretty hard working and never lost the basic sensibilities of the mid-west.
This book connected a few dots for me. C.W. Post, Marjorie's father, made his fortune in Battle Creek, competing with the Kellogg brothers and their famous health institute. He had a good sense of timing and of the breakfast needs of the American public, even before they realized it. Marjorie was his only child, and he involved her in all aspects of the business. Post cereals made them an immense fortune. The story of this rise to wealth and fame alone is worth picking up the book.

Marjorie went through four marriages, including one to Ambassador Joseph Davies, who served in Moscow for FDR. Marjorie gamely tried to entertain the staid Russians in what was a completely alien environment for her (she brought all her food from America.) She also fell in love with Russian artistry and collections, which happened to be on sale during their stay as a method of raising cash for the strapped Soviet government. Hence the fabulous collection of Russian artifacts on display today at the Hillwood Museum in D.C., which was her last home and which she always intended to be a museum.

Marjorie was comfortable with her wealth and had no qualms about spending it. Somehow, these extravagances do not seem so outrageous, since they were balanced by philanthropy and kindness to her staff, family and friends. The descriptions of her lavish entertainments, toward the end of the book, become a little tedious. But I was interested in the story of one of her projects - Mar-a-Lago. The bizarre construction has had a tortured history, but is once more a storied abode, in the news with our President's frequent visits.

I have run across several institutions or causes that bear the name of Marjorie Merriweather Post,
a testament to her gifts and charity. I'm glad to know more about this colorful benefactor.

[Jrobert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a most interesting read. What a life, led to the fullest. Marjorie merriweather Post was an interesting gal who led an incredibly fascinating and accomplished life. She was the daughter of CWPost, of the Post cereal empire. Thanks for the recommendation pal

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best biographies I've ever read. The author, Wright, has done a magnificent job of objectively portraying Post's life with a flare of imagination and insight. The writing is crisp, clear and thorough.

The first part of the book does a terrific job of telling the reader just who and what C.W. Post was. From there it whisks off to lay out the rest of Marjorie Post's life. What an attentive reader will pick up is the drive of C.W. to create and be a genius. The same was all there for Marjorie to continue genius creations. Instead, as Wright tells us, Marjorie took all of her ingenuity to create massive parties and monster sized materialism. It saddened me to realize what a waste Marjorie made of her life. There is so much she could have done.

After the '29 crash, Post's life becomes mundane as her parties and structures move along. The writer does a great job here and later as she ages and the parties continue. Wright intersperses the party tales with detailed descriptions of the grand rooms involved and including pages written by daughter, Dina, and granddaughter, Mawee.

Later in the '30s the story gets very interesting as Marjorie & husband Davies find themselves in Russia during one of the worst times in history to be there. The writer does a yeoman's job of negotiating the narrow shoals of illustrating Marjorie's party frenzy and Stalin's political party executions.

There are plenty of photos and even a breakdown of Post's staff in her later years which really helps in understanding who is who and where they belonged. I also like the little image that introduces each chapter. Each thumbnail is part of a larger photo in the gallery provided that is easy to check and understand what period of time the chapter is about. The book also clearly keeps you apprised of where you are in time throughout.

Involving Florida: The Mar-A-lago story is all here. Very interesting from construction to its fate at the time of publication in 1978. You'll have to go elsewhere for the story of the later exchanges of the property involving the Federal government, others and, eventually, to saving the structure & full restoration by Donald Trump.

Also included are the times at the mansion with Marjorie, daughter Dina Merrill, etc. and the society stars of Palm Beach. Along with the issues of the lock & bolted closed Palm Beach society. Better handled in short prose by Wright than the extended non-objective writing by Ron Kessler later.

Bottom line: I Highly recommend this book. 10 of 10 points.

[Christine Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography has a different tone than the previous one I read (can't get enough of Marjorie Merriwether Post!). While it presents the many facets of her incredibly wonderful life, it also has a humorous, and occasionally somewhat snarky tone that isn't all reverence, as in "American Empress." I really enjoyed the lengthy quotes from Dina Merril, her daughter, and Marwee, her rebellious granddaughter; they made Mrs. Post into a more human figure, rather than a larger-than-life icon. Reading this book while I was aboard the Sea Cloud (her magnificent sailing yacht), in Marjorie's room, mind you, was an unforgettable experience.

[Steve Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating life! Marjorie Merriweather Post had a life well lived. she made the most of her wealth, and also helped others with her wealth.
well writtten, the author uses many resources to provide a rounded view of a significant American and her family.

[SM Surber · Rating 3 out of 5]

A less fawning biography of MM Post- 3.5- what a life she had.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography on Marjorie Merriweather Post. Her Mar-a-lago mansion took four years to build at the cost of $8million. Her second husband was E.F. Hutton. She was as generous with her money in helping others as she was extravagant in spending on herself and her family.

[Julia W · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting in parts, mostly when it talked about how her father made his fortune. After that there was too much about how she spent her money on lavish things and married horrible men.

[Alli Cat of Night · Rating 1 out of 5]

My mother made me read it. It was hell. I'm sure it was good for people who like this kind of stuff, I am just not one of them.

[Oscar Maquito · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.4/5

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, intriguing,informative and entertaining. I liked this book quite a bit.

[Richard Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. what a remarkable lady, and her story is not only entertaining, it will change how you view the cerial isle every time you visit the grocery store. I recommend this book to all, and for the record, I had requested this book and it was a holiday gift. I do not know the author, but if I had the opportunity to speak to him, would tell him, job well done!