Margaret Van Alen Bruguiére

Margaret Post Van Alen Bruguiére (1876–1969), was a Newport, Rhode Island socialite, art collector and the niece of Frederick Vanderbilt. The leader of Newport's social scene from the 1940s till her death in the 1960s.

Early life

Margaret Post Van Alen was born in Newport, Rhode Island on July 15, 1876, to William Post and Rosalie Anthony. She spent her summers at the Post residence in Newport, 'Rosetta', and winters at her uncle Frederick Vanderbilt's Hudson Valley estate Hyde Park. In the 1890s, Margaret ~ called "Daisy" by her family and friends ~ married James Laurens Van Alen (died 1927), the son of James John Van Alen and grandson of Caroline Astor.^[1] Later, she moved into the Van Alen family's Newport estate, Wakehurst, an exact replica of Wakehurst Place in England, which would serve as Daisy's home for more than seventy years.

Philanthropy

Mrs. Bruguiére was known for supporting a number of causes, including the Red Cross and Newport Hospital, in addition to a number of local charities in Newport and Washington. When her son Jimmy Van Alen purchased the Newport Casino and began restoring it, she donated $10,000 towards the restoration.

She gave $10,000 for the landscaping and renaming of Washington Square Park in Newport in honor of her friend, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.^[2]

She was also a prominent support of the Republican Party, and was known for hosting political fundraisers at her various homes in Newport and Washington.

Wakehurst

Every summer Daisy Van Alen would spend in Newport, at her home Wakehurst (which had been legally deeded to her in 1927), where she would host the most fashionable entertainments. By the 1940s, Mrs. Van Alen had become known as the new leader of Newport's 'High Society', the Newport winter season officially starting with her annual Christmas party. One was not considered an "insider" unless having received TWO invitations to Mrs. Van Alen's castle. The first, most likely for tea and crackers, was for Mrs. Van Alen to have a chance to survey the potential candidate. Only if a second invitation was received, for dinner, was acceptance assured. By the 1960s, many of Newport's grand marble mansions that lined Bellevue Avenue had been turned into public museums or schools. "Wakehurst is the last 'properly run' [estate] left in Newport."^[3]

In her 1969 obituary, she was officially declared the "Dowager Empress of American Society".^[1]

Later years

Mrs. Van Alen spent most of the 1930s serving as a nurse to her ailing Uncle Vanderbilt, at Hyde Park. When he died in 1938, he left the majority share of his $78 million fortune to Daisy, along with his Hyde Park. Daisy Van Alen later donated the estate as a public park and museum.^[4]

In 1948, Daisy Van Alen married yachtsman Louis Bruguiére, who had survived the sinking of the S.S. Arabic. They lived together at Wakehurst and Washington, D.C. till his death in 1952.

Mrs. Margaret Van Alen Bruguiére died in 1969, as the wealthiest woman in Newport, Rhode Island; her estate being valued at $47 million.

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