Who Is Lem Billings? Age, Biography and Wiki
Lem Billings was born on April 15, 1916, and passed away in 1981. He was a significant figure not only in the life of the Kennedy family but also in the broader narrative of American politics and social life during the mid-20th century. Having been a confidant and close friend of John F. Kennedy, Billings played a notable role during one of the most dynamic periods in American history. His unique perspective and friendships allowed him insights into the lives of those within the Kennedy circle, marking him as a key historical figure.
| Occupation | Business |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 15, 1916 |
| Age | 65 Years |
| Birth Place | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 28 May, 1981 |
| Died Place | Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
Popularity
Lem Billings's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Lem Billings stood approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm) and weighed around 175 pounds (79 kg) during his early adulthood. While exact details about his body measurements aren't widely documented, his athletic build from a young age contributed to his charismatic presence, which was influential among his peers and the high society he mingled with.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, Lem Billings maintained a close relationship with the Kennedy family. However, details about his personal romantic life remain relatively private. Though he was known to have had relationships, specific information regarding a boyfriend or significant other is largely undocumented in public records. Billings was a complex individual whose relationship status often faded into the background of his more public associations.
Kirk LeMoyne "Lem" Billings (April 15, 1916 – May 28, 1981) was an American businessman known for his close and long-time friendship with John F. Kennedy and the Kennedy family. Billings was a preparatory school roommate of Kennedy, an usher at his wedding, and a campaigner for his successful 1960 presidential bid. Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
called him "my second son," and he sometimes was an escort for several of the Kennedy women. After the assassination of his father, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was placed in Billings' care for a time. Billings assisted Sargent Shriver as a trustee for the Kennedy family trusts.
Net Worth and Salary
Unfortunately, the exact net worth of Lem Billings remains undisclosed, as financial details of his life are often overshadowed by his connections to the Kennedy family. It is speculated that, given his associations and the privileges they entailed, he had a comfortable lifestyle during his prime years. However, specific earnings and financial accomplishments are not detailed in public archives.
Career, Business and Investments
Lem Billings’ career was intertwined with politics, social events, and philanthropy, reflecting his connection to the Kennedy family. His close association with John F. Kennedy opened doors into various social and political circles. While Billings was not a businessman in the traditional sense, his relationships allowed him access to investment opportunities and social ventures. After Kennedy's assassination, Billings continued to contribute to various charities and projects, honoring his late friend’s legacy.
From 1946 to 1948, Billings attended Harvard Business School and earned an MBA. He later had several jobs, including selling Coca-Cola dispensers to drugstores and working at a General Shoe store.
As Vice President at the Emerson Drug Company in Baltimore, he invented the 1950s fad drink Fizzies by adding a fruit flavor to disguise the sodium citrate taste. In 1958, Billings moved to the prominent Manhattan advertising firm Lennen & Newell, as an advertising executive.
Social Network
Billings was well-known within elite circles, often mingling with influential politicians, artists, and socialites of his time. He was not just a close friend to the Kennedys but also maintained friendships with other prominent figures, forming a robust social network that played a role in his engagements throughout his life. Unfortunately, Billings did not leave behind a significant digital footprint in the age of social media since digital platforms emerged later in his life.
Billings, a 16-year-old third-year student, and John F. Kennedy, a 15-year-old second-year student, met at Choate, an elite preparatory school in Wallingford, Connecticut, in the fall of 1933. As a teenager, Billings was 6' 2", weighed 175 pounds, and was the strongest member of the Choate crew team. They became close friends.
While at Choate, they formed a club and called themselves "The Muckers". The Muckers would pull pranks around the school and even planned to dump horse manure in the school gym, but that fell through after the headmaster found out.
Billings' first visit with the Kennedy family was for Christmas in Palm Beach in 1933; after that, he joined them for holidays, participated in family events, and was treated like a member of the family. The Depression had hurt the Billings family financially, and Lem Billings was at Choate on scholarship.
Billings repeated his senior year so that he and Kennedy could graduate from Choate together in 1935.
Education
Lem Billings graduated from Princeton University, where he developed a keen intellect and a robust social network. His education equipped him with insights and understandings that he carried throughout his life, influencing his interactions and friendships, especially within powerful circles in America.
