Elsa Maxwell was a popular American gossip columnist, radio personality, and actress. She was known for her lavish parties and celebrity guests.
Maxwell was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on May 24, 1893. Her parents were William and Elsa Meinecke. She had two older sisters, Lillian and Edna. Maxwell’s father died when she was four years old, and her mother remarried soon after.
Maxwell was educated at a convent school in New York City. She began her career as a professional singer, but soon turned to writing gossip columns for newspapers and magazines. Maxwell also worked as a radio personality and hosted her own television show, “The Elsa Maxwell Show,” from 1954 to 1955.
Maxwell was married three times. Her first husband was Harry Crosby, a member of the wealthy Crosby family. They were married from 1920 to 1929 and had no children. Her second husband was Collin Kemper, an American businessman. They were married from 1930 to 1935 and had one child, a daughter named Pamela. Maxwell’s third and final husband was Robert Levitt, an American businessman and socialite. They were married from 1936 until Levitt’s death in 1972. They had no children together.
Maxwell was known for her lavish parties, which were often attended by celebrities and other members of high society. She was also known for her charitable work. Maxwell died of natural causes on November 1, 1963, at the age of 70.
General Info
Full Name
Elsa Maxwell
Died
November 1, 1963, New York City, New York, United States
Under pressure, people admit to murder, setting fire to the village church or robbing a bank, but never to being bores.
2
Seeing unhappiness in the marriage of friends, I was content to have chosen music and laughter as a substitute for a husband.
3
I make enemies deliberately. They are my sauce piquante to my dish of life.
4
Giving parties is a trivial avocation, but it pays the dues for my union card in humanity.
5
[describing herself] A short, fat, homely piano player from Keokuk, Iowa, with no money, no background . . . who decided to become a legend, and did just that!
Facts
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Fact
1
Short, stout American hostess and celebrity tattle-tale columnist.
2
Famed as hostess of lavish parties for royalty and high society and credited with the introduction of the scavenger hunt and treasure hunt for use as party games.
3
Credited with introducing Rita Hayworth to Prince Aly Khan in the summer of 1948.