Episode 58: Doris Duke
Our story begins in New York City on November 22, 1912, when Doris Duke is born. She was the only child of James Buchanan ( JB) Duke and her mother was Nanaline Holt Inman Duke. When her father passed away, she was only 12 years old. He had left her the majority of his fortune, equating to more than $80 million. Newspapers said that she was “the richest little girl in the world.” The way that her inheritance worked was that it would come in three installments with her first installment coming in when she turned 21, estimated to be around $10 million. This first installment is where we begin to see Doris’ philanthropic work begin - the year after receiving that money, she creates her first charitable foundation called Independent Aid Inc. based on Doris’ interest to help others, the foundation supported the welfare of women and children, education, social work, and mental health PLUS early family planning. In 1935 (the following year)- a $10,000 donation was made from the foundation to the National Committee of Birth Control and a $15,000 donation to Margaret Sanger. In February of 1935, Doris would marry her first husband James HR Cromwell, who everyone called Jimmy. Directly after the wedding, they would sail off on a six-month honeymoon, traveling to China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and India. While in India, Doris would fall in love with Islamic architecture and in particular the Taj Mahal. In 1968, Doris established another foundation, the Newport Restoration Foundation (the heart of our story if you will). This foundation came about as Doris noticed the deterioration of Newport, Rhode Island’s historical architecture. This foundation would restore about 80 properties. Doris would donate about $22 million to this foundation - which is considered to be the largest gift to any single organization in her lifetime. On October 28th, 1993, at the age of 80, Dorothy would pass away with a net worth of nearly $1 billion. Her estate was bequeathed to Bernard Lafferty - her butler. Her homes/ properties were transferred to the Foundation and are to be preserved.
Caryatid: Nakita Reed
Nakita Reed is an architect and Associate at the firm Quinn Evans who focuses on the intersection of Architecture, historic preservation, sustainability, race, and gender. Nakita got her Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of Virginia, 2006 , Master of Science in Historic Preservation, University of Pennsylvania, 2010, Master of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania, 2010, and Just recently in 2022 she won the AIA young architect Award. She is the host of the podcast Tangible Remnants, which is part of Gabl Media!
References
“About – Shangri La.” Shangri La Hawaii, www.shangrilahawaii.org/about. Accessed 7 July 2022.
Andriotis, Mary Elizabeth. “The Fascinating History Behind Jackie Kennedy and Doris Duke’s Passion for Preserving Historic Homes.” House Beautiful, 2 Nov. 2021, www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a36543207/jackie-kennedy-doris-duke-historic-preservation-homes-houses.
Colacello, Bob. “Doris Duke’s Final Mystery.” Vanity Fair | The Complete Archive, 1 Mar. 1994, archive.vanityfair.com/article/share/8e9a9c8a-592e-413c-b470-46346122c32a.
“Doris Duke.” Newport Restoration Foundation, 17 June 2022, www.newportrestoration.org/doris-duke.
“Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.” Who We Are, ddcf.org. Accessed 29 June 2022.
“Doris Duke Timeline | Duke University Libraries.” Duke University Libraries Rubenstein Library, Duke University, library.duke.edu/rubenstein/collections/creators/people/dorisduke. Accessed 29 June 2022.
Editors, Biography. Com. “Doris Duke.” Biography.Com, A&E Television Networks, 27 Apr. 2017, www.biography.com/personality/doris-duke.
Gordon, Meryl. “Reconsidering Doris Duke, the Debutante Who Broke All the Rules.” The New York Times, 7 Apr. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/books/review/sallie-bingham-doris-duke.html.
“Who Was Doris Duke? Everything You Need to Know.” TheFamousPeople.Com, www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/doris-duke-12666.php. Accessed 27 June 2022.
