Mona Bismarck: Biography, Interesting Facts, and More

Mona Bismarck

Mona Bismarck was a celebrated American socialite and philanthropist. In 1933, she made history by being the first American to be named “The Best Dressed Woman in the World.”

Her transformation from a Michigan farm girl into a Parisian high society icon is characterized by many events. It’s a fairy tale packed full of adventure across various continents. Let’s have a look at how this extraordinary woman left a long-lasting mark on the world.

Early Life

Mona Bismarck was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 5, 1897. Her life was far from the glitter and glamour she became known later. 

She hails from a modestly tumultuous background. Mona’s father, Robert Sims Strader, was a professional horse trainer. His occupation took him far away from home most of the time. That obviously caused many personal difficulties for her mother, Bird O’Shockeny. Unfortunately, this ended up in a divorce when Mona was only five years old.

Divorce was just the beginning of her misfortune. After that, they spent some time with their mother’s grandmother. However, due to her mental health issues, which finally landed her in the institution, Mona, along with her brother, shifted over to their paternal grandmother’s living place in Liberty Heights, Kentucky. 

Still, fate continued to haunt her with the untimely deaths of her uncles. Despite these early hardships, Mona happily grew up in the horse country of Kentucky. Her father had connections with the equestrian world. So, she would meet the more affluent classes.

Summing up, Mona’s early life had developed in her the quality of resilience and adaptability. These were the hallmarks of her personality at later stages.

Marriage and Relationships

Mona Bismarck’s personal life was marked by a series of marriages. Let’s check out each of these relationships to understand how they influenced her journey.

Henry J. Schlesinger (1917–1920)

Even though Mona was raised in an affluent setting, her first step into the world of wealth and prestige came with her marriage in 1917. At the age of 20, she married Henry J. Schlesinger, who is 18 years her senior.

Schlesinger was a successful businessman who owned Fairland Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Mona’s father worked there as a horse trainer, which probably brought them together. So naturally, the marriage gave her financial security. They had a son named Robert Henry.

However, this marriage was not destined to last. In 1920, they were divorced. Reportedly, Mona gave up the custody of her son in exchange for a settlement of $500,000. 

James Irving Bush (1921–1925)

In 1921, Mona Bismarck married James Irving Bush, a prominent banker. He was 14 years senior to Mona. Interstingly, James was known as the most ‘handsome man in America’ at that time.  She joined the high-society elite through this marriage. Life with Harrison was lavish and riddled with high-society parties.

Yet, things never changed. This marriage, like the first, was brief. It ended up in a divorce in Paris in 1925. The reasons for their divorce are still unknown. But, it is evident that Mona was rapidly climbing the social ladder with each relationship catapulting her further into the spotlight. After this divorce, she returned to New York.

Harrison Williams (1926–1953)

Mona’s third wedding was to Harrison Williams, who was reportedly the wealthiest man in the United States at the time. He had an approximate wealth of $600 million. The marriage was on July 2, 1926. 

Their honeymoon was a round-the-world cruise on Williams’ yacht, ‘The Warrior’, the height of luxury then. Both bought properties across the U.S. and Europe— a Georgian mansion in New York, an estate in Long Island, a house in Palm Beach, Florida, the villa Il Fortino overlooking Capri’s Marina Grande, and so on. 

It was during this marriage that Mona’s position as a fashion icon was finally consolidated. In 1933, she was crowned ‘Best Dressed Woman in the World’, becoming the first American to hold that title. They remained together until the time of Williams’ death in 1953. It left Mona widowed but incredibly wealthy.

Count Albrecht Edzard Heinrich Karl von Bismarck-Schönhausen (1955–1970)

Just two years after Harrison’s death, Mona married Count Albrecht Edzard von Bismarck-Schönhausen, a grandchild of the famous German statesman Otto von Bismarck.

The civil ceremony was held in New Jersey while the religious was performed in Rome in February 1956. Actually, the couple mainly lived in an apartment at the famed Hôtel Lambert in Paris and later at a townhouse on Avenue de New York. They also spent time at Mona’s villa in Capri. 

This was more of a love story that ended in tragedy because Albrecht died in 1970. Mona once again found herself facing widowhood. It was different from the first; the couple loved each other with genuine affection and had many interests in common. Edzard’s unfortunate demise once again forced her into a transition.

Umberto de Martini (1971-1979)

After one year of his death, Mona married her late husband’s physician to find a partner at the old age. He was a nobleman who was 14 years her junior. She arranged for her husband to obtain a title from King Umberto II of Italy when he assumed the title ‘Count’. Yet, the marriage was plagued with deceit. 

After de Martini’s death in a sports car accident in 1979, Mona found out he had been previously married. He even used to divert the funds to support his other family secretly.

Rise To Fame

Mona Bismarck’s rise wasn’t something that happened overnight. It was marked by several ups and downs. 

It all started with her marriage to Harrison Williams in 1926. As mentioned before, Harrison was then considered one of the wealthiest men in America, holding much influence. His immense wealth set the base for her personal brand. 

Her marriage to Williams brought her to Europe very often, where she interacted with many famous artists. Under his wing, Mona gained entrance into high society of reputed politicians, businessmen, celebrities, and so on. 

William’s luxurious lifestyle which ranged from private yachts to expensive parties, placed her in the spotlight. That gave her more opportunities to display her elegance on a global scale. 

In 1933, the life of Mona Bismarck changed dramatically as she was declared the ‘Best Dressed Woman in the World’ by a panel of top designers that included Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Madeleine Vionnet. This was an unexpected honor that uplifted the status of a Michigan farm girl to an international level.

Soon, she became a subject of admiration. Many publications started praising her sense of style.

In between, we can see that she goes through many relationship breakdowns. Instead of losing her spirit, she used these challenges as opportunities. Each marriage opened gates to new chances. James Irving Bush introduced her to New York’s elite community. Count Albrecht Edzard von Bismarck-Schönhausen connected her with European aristocracy. All these exposures were helpful in keeping Mona in the spotlight. 

Like marriages, friendships with influential people have also fueled her growth to a great extent. She maintained close contact with Winston Churchill, the UK Prime Minister. It is important to note that Churchill went to her Capri Villa to recover from World War II. 

Similarly, she befriended several artists and writers, like Salvador Dalí and Truman Capote. These relationships underlined her place as a confidante of some of the brightest 20th-century minds.

Yet, we can’t fully give the credit of Mona’s success to her life partners and friends. What made her different was her natural talent to make individual personal tragedies into public triumphs. Remember, she was widowed twice, divorced twice, and even betrayed. Mona still managed to use these life moments to remake herself.

Her philanthropy, though not discussed in detail elsewhere, also served as part of her success. She supported various institutions to make sure that her image remained positive in the public. 

Fashion Icon

Mona Bismarck was literally a fashion phenomenon in her prime time. Throughout her life, Mona’s fashion choices were celebrated among the public.

Approach To Fashion

Mona’s approach to fashion was less about being a trendsetter and more about setting trends. She knew how to use restraint to significant effect. That made her opt for classic silhouettes over flashiness. She had a remarkable instinct to make even the most lavish garments look casually chic.

A Wardrobe That Spoke Volumes

Mona had some legendary clothes in her closet. She was a dedicated customer of the most fabulous designers at that time: Coco Chanel, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, and so on. Not even one garment in her wardrobe was something less than an art. 

Mona possessed an eye for classic outfits. She preferred only tailored silhouettes with understated yet striking designs.

Her wardrobe was so lavish. It is said that Balenciaga, Mona’s designer, closed his atelier mainly because she no longer needed the services.

The Best-Dressed Woman in the World

In 1933, Mona was declared the ‘Best Dressed Woman in the World’. This established her as one of the pioneers of style. Mona was the first American woman to have earned this title. That set a trend for many fashion enthusiasts to follow. 

Remember, as many think, her title was not just for her dressing. It was for the way how she carried herself. Many say that she had a borne ability to make even the simplest outfit look regal.

A Life of Luxury

Mona Bismarck’s luxury wasn’t merely what she wore but also the way she lived. Her homes in New York and Palm Beach were an extension of this personal style. She was known to have a rare collection of emeralds and diamonds that was the envy of many. All these accessories added glamour to each outfit she donned.

Impact on the Fashion World

Mona’s impact on the fashion world was gigantic. Designers knew her endorsement would make their designs legendary. So, they would even fight for her stamp of approval. Her collaboration with Balenciaga was her most significant contribution, as he was one of the designers of many of her iconic looks. It was Mona who brought his work to the world.

Apart from designers, she even influenced the media. Her appearance in magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar reflects her impeccable taste to the masses. That placed her as a stylish icon for women across the globe. 

Timeless Classic Style

What made Mona different was that she was able to be relevant. Her style remained at the top as other fashion trends came and went.

 Salvador Dalí and other artists were inspired by her beauty and elegance. Dali takes a step further by painting her portrait as a symbol of glamour. 

Even writers and cultural figures mention her style as inspirational in their works. Truman Capote, for example, frequently mentioned Mona’s style in his observations of high society.

We can see that Mona’s sense of fashion did not stop attracting people’s admiration even in her old age. That itself proves that true style is not age-bound.

Cultural Contributions

Mona Bismarck was a very influential patron of the arts with a lasting cultural footprint. Check out her cultural contributions:

1. The Parisian Residence

In Paris, she lived in a stunning hotel. In fact, it wasn’t just a mere residential space for her. She filled it with antiques to show her love for art. She often conducted lavish parties over there, to which she invited some of the most extraordinary personalities, such as Winston Churchill, Salvador Dali, and so on. These social gatherings soon transformed into thought exchanges to inspire creativity. Many see the place as her devotion to culture.

After her death in 1938, Mona stipulated in her will to change the residence into a center dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between France and the United States of America (USA). It was opened in 1987 to fulfill her vision. Her most lasting posthumous contribution to her culture is now known as the Mona Bismarck American Center for Art & Culture. It is now a venue for many reputed exhibitions and concerts. 

2. Friendships with Cultural Icons

She also had the rare gift of becoming very close friends with the leading talents in literature and art. These relationships were nothing superficial; she was deeply involved with the world of creativity to mentor the artists and writers. Mona even supported them in their creative work. Her patronage and appreciation helped many get on with their pursuits well.

3. A Legacy of Philanthropy

Mona Bismarck’s contribution to culture extended way beyond her friend circle. Even in her old age, she often provided financial backing for exhibitions. And her generosity wasn’t limited to the arts. She also donated to many charities. 

Role In Women’s Empowerment

Mona did not explicitly campaign for women’s rights like how activists did. Yet, her presence as a woman in male-oriented circles itself was revolutionary. It was something quietly empowering in women.

Even though Mona has been married to powerful men, she has never been a shadow of her partners. Her fame was built through charisma only. She was also well-known for her financial management capabilities. 

Her title as the ‘The Best Dressed Woman in the World’ challenged the notion that women’s value was solely tied to their domestic roles. Mona proved that it was, in fact, possible for a woman to have influence. That made women all over the world look forward to her as an example of how they, too, can project confidence.

Similarly, Mona was active in promoting female designers and artists. She helped them become visible in areas that were largely controlled by men at the time.

In short, Mona Bismarck stands as a testament to the fact that empowerment need not be loud. It can be done through gradual strengthening.

Interesting Facts About Mona Bismarck

Have a look at some of the interesting facts about Mona Bismarck that reveal the depth of her extraordinary life:

  • Even during her busy social life, Mona maintained her passion for gardening. She spent considerable time in her gardens in the Capri Villa. In fact, she cultivated a Meditteranean Paradise over there.
  • Mona turned her Paris residence into a refuge for American servicemen during World War II. Sometimes, she even acted as the caregiver at the camp.
  • Mona was one of the pioneers of wearing miniskirts in the 1960s. It showed her ability to innovate yet maintain her classic taste in style.
  • Besides leaving a bequest to the Smithsonian, Mona left another sizeable portion of her belongings to the New York Public Library. 
  • Back in her hometown, Mona was lovingly nicknamed the ‘Kentucky Countess’. Everyone respected her journey from a Kentucky landlady to the status of count with proud stature.
  • Winston Churchill used to come to her houses frequently to discuss various matters. He even painted a portrait of one of her homes.
  • Mona was among Truman Capote’s exclusive class of ‘Swans’ —a coterie of influential women whom he admired. Capote frequently drew attention to her elegance and poise in his writing.
  • Even with international fame, Mona had a well-known fear of flying. This phobia of flying did not keep her off the social scene; she commonly used luxury trains and ships to take her between her homes in Europe and America.
  • Mona was famous for her passion for good jewelry. She has an extensive collection of rare diamonds, emeralds, pearls, etc. Some were custom-made, especially for her.
  • She was also brilliant with her words. With a sharp sense of humor and quick retorts, she was the lifeblood of any gathering. No one could ever resist being charmed by her words.
  • Mona was a regular face in major publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. All these features made her the leader of fashion and encouraged many women around the globe to follow her style.
  • Mona was known for the fabulous parties she threw. She entertained entrepreneurs, artists, writers, politicians, and other such personalities at her homes. 
  • Even though Mona is considered the epitome of aristocratic poise, she loves adventure. She would regularly indulge in activities like deep-sea fishing and horseback riding.

Later Life and Death

The later years of Mona Bismarck were marked with personal turmoil. Yet, she showed a gracious acceptance of the final chapters of life. 

Her last marriage was not the fairytale that one might expect from the storied life of Mona Bismarck. It was later revealed that Umberto de Martini, her fifth husband, had married her for her wealth after he died in a car accident in 1979. Martini had been taking money from Mona to use for his children without telling her. This left Mona disappointed. But she was never broken, as she quickly returned to using her title of ‘Countess Bismarck.’

After her marriage ended and most of her close friends were gone, Mona started retreating from the social limelight. Mona’s final years were spent in her private manners. Her eyesight began to fail. However, she continued to be active in her philanthropy.

Mona divided her time between her beloved Paris townhouse and her villa in Capri. Though she declined physically, the spark of life still glowed brightly in the soul. She still welcomed small groups for gatherings as her younger years might have wished them to be.

Mona Bismarck was 86 years old when she died on July 10, 1983. She died at her apartment in Paris. The cause of her death was not made public. It’s expected to be due to natural causes. Her funeral was a relatively quiet affair. 

It marked the end of an era with Mona as a symbol of the past world. She was mourned by famous personalities all over the world. 

She was buried in a Givenchy gown alongside her third and fourth husbands—Harrison Williams and Count Albrecht Edzard von Bismarck-Schönhausen— in Locust Valley Cemetery on Long Island.

Conclusion

Even after Mona’s death, her legacy lived on. Her contributions to fashion and art are even remembered now. 

Mona taught us that elegance isn’t just about what you wear but how you live. Her life reminds us of the power of individuality to have a lasting impact. She still lives as a symbol of cultural enrichment in many ways.

Mona Bismarck

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