Who Is Mary Pinchot Meyer? Age, Biography and Wiki
Mary Pinchot Meyer was born on October 14, 1920, and tragically passed away on October 12, 1964. In 2025, she would have been 104 years old, had she lived. Meyer was a prominent socialite and painter associated with Washington D.C.'s intellectual circles. Her life intertwined with key historical figures, including her involvement with President John F. Kennedy, further adding to her allure and mystery.
Occupation | Painters |
---|---|
Date of Birth | October 14, 1920 |
Age | 43 Years |
Birth Place | New York City, New York, US |
Horoscope | Libra |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 12 October, 1964 |
Died Place | Georgetown, Washington, D.C., US |
Popularity
Mary Pinchot Meyer's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details on Mary Pinchot Meyer's height and weight are not readily available, she was known for her graceful presence which resonated in her artistic work. Measurements pertinent to her physical description remain elusive but she is often remembered for her stylish appearances at various social events.
When Crump came to trial in 1965, Judge Howard Corcoran ruled that Pinchot Meyer's private life could not be disclosed in the courtroom.
Her background was also kept from Dovey Johnson Roundtree, Crump's lawyer, who later recalled she could find out almost nothing about the murder victim: "It was as if she existed only on the towpath on the day she was murdered." At trial, Roundtree demonstrated the porousness of the police dragnet and showed that Crump was 50 pounds lighter and 5 i
nches shorter than the 5 foot 8 inch, 185 pound male that Henry Wiggins had described to police.
Although Lt. William L. Mitchell estimated the height of the man he claimed to have seen trailing Pinchot Meyer at five feet 8 inches, Mitchell was not able to identify Crump as that man when Mitchell testified at trial.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Mary Pinchot Meyer was married to Cord Meyer, a prominent CIA officer, from 1945 until their divorce in 1958. Throughout her life, she was romantically linked to several influential men, most notably President John F. Kennedy during the early 1960s. Her relationships reflected her unique position within the circles of power in America.
Pinchot Meyer was murdered on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath in Washington, D.C., on October 12, 1964. A suspect, Ray Crump Jr., was arrested and charged with her murder but was acquitted. Beginning in 1976, Pinchot Meyer's life, her relationship with Kennedy, and her murder became the subjects of numerous articles and books, including a full-length biography by journalist Nina Burleigh.
Net Worth and Salary
As an artist and socialite, Mary Pinchot Meyer’s net worth is difficult to assess due to the limited financial information available about her. However, it is believed that her family background and connections allowed her to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. In terms of her earnings derived from her art, she is often considered a pivotal yet understated figure in the post-war American art scene.
Career, Business and Investments
Mary Pinchot Meyer was not only known for her social life but also for her creative endeavors. She worked as a painter, creating artwork that resonated with themes of nature and spirituality. In 1962, she held a significant art exhibition, demonstrating her commitment to her craft. Apart from her art, Meyer was involved in various intellectual pursuits, befriending writers and artists who would influence her work and beliefs. Although not heavily involved in business investments, her connections may have played a role in fostering cultural exchanges that directly impacted her art.
In 1953, Senator Joseph McCarthy publicly accused Cord Meyer of being a Communist. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was reported to have looked into Mary's political past. Allen Dulles and Frank Wisner aggressively defended Meyer, and he remained with the CIA. However, by early 1954, Cord Meyer had become unhappy with his CIA career.
He used contacts from his covert operations in Operation Mockingbird to approach several New York publishers for a job, but was rebuffed.
Social Network
Meyer was deeply entrenched in the social fabric of Washington D.C., moving within elite circles that included politicians, artists, and intellectuals. Her relationships not only shaped her artistic vision but also provided a rich tapestry of experiences that influenced her work. Today, she remains an enigmatic figure symbolizing the intersection of art and political intrigue during a transformative era in American history.
More than ten years after Pinchot Meyer's death, rumors of her affair with Kennedy began to circulate. In 1976, they were confirmed first by the National Enquirer, then by The Washington Post. Nineteen years later, Post editor Ben Bradlee went into great detail about his sister-in-law Pinchot Meyer's life and murder in his autobiography A Good Life.
Education
Meyer received her education at the Holton-Arms School and later graduated from Vassar College, where she studied painting. Her educational background was fundamental in shaping her artistic perspective, which married modernist techniques with her personal exploration of spirituality.
After her graduation from Vassar in 1942, Meyer became a journalist, writing for the United Press and Mademoiselle. As a pacifist and member of the American Labor Party, she came under scrutiny by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.