Betsy Bloomingdale

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Betsy Bloomingdale (born Betty Lee Newling on August 2, 1926, although some sources indicate 1922) is an internationally known socialite. She is the widow of Alfred S. Bloomingdale, and is close friends with former First Lady Nancy Reagan.

Bloomingdale grew up as the daughter of a socially-prominent Los Angeles, California family, and holds the namesake of the United States department store outlet Bloomingdale's, as her husband was the chain's heir.[1] She is a frequent party host, many for charity, being dubbed "Good Queen Betts".[2]

Mrs. Bloomingdale is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles, currently residing in Holmby Hills. A Roman Catholic, she was involved in fundraising projects for the Los Angeles Cathedral. She also contributed to the funding for the development of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Bloomingdale's life and marriage and her husband's well-publicized affair were the basis of Dominick Dunne's novel An Inconvenient Woman. However, Bloomingdale remains friendly with Dunne, appearing with him at the annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2006. Other friends have included Joan Collins and East Coast socialiate Nan Kempner.

In 2007, Bloomingdale took part in presenting fashion designer James Galanos with the Rodeo Drive Style Award,[3] and attended the opening of "Nancy Reagan: A First Lady's Style", an exibit chronicling Nancy Reagan's different clothing at the Reagan Presidential Library.[4]

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Alfred S. Bloomingdale Biography (1916–82). Biography.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  2. ^ "Was it for Love or Money?", Time, 1982-10-04. Retrieved on 2008-01-01. 
  3. ^ Designer James Galanos Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Induction Ceremony and Plaque Unveiling. McClathy Tribune (October 18, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
  4. ^ Betsy Bloomingdale. WireImage.com (2007-11-10). Retrieved on 2008-01-02.