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{{Short description|American socialite and philanthropist}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| name = Mildred Hilson |
| name = Mildred Hilson |
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| nationality = American |
| nationality = American |
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| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |
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| spouse = {{marriage|Edwin I. Hilson|1924|1952|end= |
| spouse = {{marriage|Edwin I. Hilson|1924|1952|end=died}} |
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| children = 2 |
| children = 2 |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Mildred Helen Hilson''' ({{nee|'''Stern'''}}; March 30, 1898 – December 10, 1994) was an American socialite, philanthropist and patron of the arts. A staunch supporter of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], she befriended multiple Republican presidents. |
'''Mildred Helen Hilson''' ({{nee|'''Stern'''}}; March 30, 1898 – December 10, 1994) was an American socialite, philanthropist and patron of the arts. A staunch supporter of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], she befriended multiple Republican presidents. |
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==Life== |
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Hilson was born Mildred Helen Stern in [[Brooklyn]] on March 30, 1898. In 1924, she married investment banker Edwin I. Hilson (1895–1952), later senior partner at [[Wertheim & Co.]]<ref name="Nemy">{{cite news |last1=Nemy |first1=Enid |title=A Trio of Octogenarians Who Ignore the Calendar |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/05/style/a-trio-of-octogenarians-who-ignore-the-calendar.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=April 5, 1982}}</ref> They had two children: John Stern Hilson (1925–1991) and Mary Hilson (1930–1987).<ref>{{cite news |title=John Hilson, 66, Dies; Was Investment Banker |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/27/obituaries/john-hilson-66-dies-was-investment-banker.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=May 27, 1991}}</ref> Her husband died in 1952.<ref name="Dullea">{{cite news |last1=Dullea |first1=Georgia |title=Mildred Hilson Is Dead at 96; Fund-Raiser and Arts Patron |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/11/obituaries/mildred-hilson-is-dead-at-96-fund-raiser-and-arts-patron.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=December 11, 1994}}</ref> |
Hilson was born Mildred Helen Stern in [[Brooklyn]] on March 30, 1898. In 1924, she married investment banker Edwin I. Hilson (1895–1952), later senior partner at [[Wertheim & Co.]]<ref name="Nemy">{{cite news |last1=Nemy |first1=Enid |title=A Trio of Octogenarians Who Ignore the Calendar |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/05/style/a-trio-of-octogenarians-who-ignore-the-calendar.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=April 5, 1982}}</ref> They had two children: John Stern Hilson (1925–1991) and Mary Hilson (1930–1987).<ref>{{cite news |title=John Hilson, 66, Dies; Was Investment Banker |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/27/obituaries/john-hilson-66-dies-was-investment-banker.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=May 27, 1991}}</ref> Her husband died in 1952.<ref name="Dullea">{{cite news |last1=Dullea |first1=Georgia |title=Mildred Hilson Is Dead at 96; Fund-Raiser and Arts Patron |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/11/obituaries/mildred-hilson-is-dead-at-96-fund-raiser-and-arts-patron.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=December 11, 1994}}</ref> |
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Following her husband's death, she took his seat on the board of the [[Hospital for Special Surgery]], five years later she was |
Following her husband's death, she took his seat on the board of the [[Hospital for Special Surgery]], five years later she was named vice president and remained in this role until her death. She raised over $15 million for the hospital through its annual benefit.<ref name="LATimes">{{cite news |title=Mildred Hilson; Noted Fund-Raiser |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-12-12-mn-7993-story.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 12, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nemy |first1=Enid |title=Mrs. Hilson and Mr. Cronkite Anchor a Party |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/26/archives/mrs-hilson-and-mr-cronkite-anchor-a-party.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=April 26, 1978}}</ref> |
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Vice chairwoman of the [[Women's National Republican Club]], she was also a major fundraiser for the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and volunteered on several citizens' committees to elect or re-elect Republican candidates to state and national office.<ref name="Nemy"/><ref name="Dullea"/> She befriended every Republican president from [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] on. President Eisenhower painted a portrait of her which hung in her study. At her 90th birthday party at [[St. Regis New York|The St. Regis]], former President [[Richard Nixon]] played ''[[Happy Birthday to You|Happy Birthday]]'' on the piano while the 200 guests sang along.<ref name="Dullea"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dullea |first1=Georgia |title=It's a Rosy Night as Mildred Turns 90 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/31/nyregion/it-s-a-rosy-night-as-mildred-turns-90.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=March 31, 1988}}</ref> |
Vice chairwoman of the [[Women's National Republican Club]], she was also a major fundraiser for the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and volunteered on several citizens' committees to elect or re-elect Republican candidates to state and national office.<ref name="Nemy"/><ref name="Dullea"/> She befriended every Republican president from [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] on. President Eisenhower painted a portrait of her which hung in her study and [[Mamie Eisenhower]] was a close friend. At her 90th birthday party at [[St. Regis New York|The St. Regis]], former President [[Richard Nixon]] played ''[[Happy Birthday to You|Happy Birthday]]'' on the piano while the 200 guests sang along.<ref name="Dullea"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dullea |first1=Georgia |title=It's a Rosy Night as Mildred Turns 90 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/31/nyregion/it-s-a-rosy-night-as-mildred-turns-90.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=March 31, 1988}}</ref> |
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Hilson also gave generously to the arts, serving on the board of the [[Museum of the City of New York]] and the New York City Cultural Council. During [[John Lindsay]]'s term as [[Mayor of New York City]] in the late 1960s, she served as his unsalaried representative on cultural affairs.<ref name="Dullea"/> |
Hilson also gave generously to the arts, serving on the board of the [[Museum of the City of New York]] and the New York City Cultural Council. During [[John Lindsay]]'s term as [[Mayor of New York City]] in the late 1960s, she served as his unsalaried representative on cultural affairs.<ref name="Dullea"/> |
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She lived for much of her life in [[Waldorf Astoria New York|Waldorf Towers]]. It was here, in 1971, she met and befriended [[George H. W. Bush]], who had just been appointed American ambassador to the United Nations, and his wife, [[Barbara Bush|Barbara]]. She first met Mrs. Bush in March 1971 in the elevator and invited her to a dinner she was hosting for the [[Edward VIII|Duke]] and [[Wallis Simpson|Duchess of Windsor]] that May.<ref name="Bush">{{cite book |last1=Bush |first1=Barbara |title=Reflections: Life After the White House |date=2003 |publisher=Scribner |location=New York |isbn=0743223594 |page=73}}</ref><ref name="Brown">{{cite |
She lived for much of her life in [[Waldorf Astoria New York|Waldorf Towers]]. It was here, in 1971, she met and befriended [[George H. W. Bush]], who had just been appointed American ambassador to the United Nations, and his wife, [[Barbara Bush|Barbara]]. She first met Mrs. Bush in March 1971 in the elevator and invited her to a dinner she was hosting for the [[Edward VIII|Duke]] and [[Wallis Simpson|Duchess of Windsor]] that May.<ref name="Bush">{{cite book |last1=Bush |first1=Barbara |title=Reflections: Life After the White House |date=2003 |publisher=Scribner |location=New York |isbn=0743223594 |page=73}}</ref><ref name="Brown">{{cite magazine |last1=Brown |first1=David W. |title=Seen Around Town–III |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1995/02/13/seen-around-town-iii |access-date=August 19, 2022 |magazine=The New Yorker |date=February 5, 1995}}</ref> She hosted a dinner for the Bushes in her apartment upon his election as [[Vice President of the United States]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nemy |first1=Enid |title=The Bushes Come to Town for Private Party |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/09/style/the-bushes-come-to-town-for-a-private-party-mildred-hilson.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=January 9, 1981}}</ref> She also entertained [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Hubert de Givenchy]]. In 1989, when she was bedridden due to illness, Givenchy brought one of his models to Hilson's apartment to show her his spring collection.<ref name="Dullea"/> She also wore the designs of [[Bill Blass]], once remarking to Blass during a fitting at the age 90, " "Bill, I hope you can get this dress delivered to me before I die." To which he replied, "I can't guarantee it."<ref name="Morris">{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Bob |title=An American Classic |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/shopping/fashion/6181/ |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=New York |date=July 8, 2002}}</ref> |
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In 1989, the plaza of a new hospital residence at the Hospital for Special Surgery was dedicated in her honor. That same year |
In 1989, the plaza of a new hospital residence at the Hospital for Special Surgery was dedicated in her honor. That same year, the New York City division of the [[American Cancer Society]] gave her its humanitarian award. She was also awarded the women's division of [[Albert Einstein College of Medicine]]'s Sarnoff Award for her volunteer service.<ref name="Dullea"/> |
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She died at home on December 10, 1994, at the age of 96.<ref name="Dullea"/><ref name="LATimes"/> Her funeral was held at [[Temple Emanu-El of New York (New York, 1930)|Temple Emanu-El of New York]].<ref name="Brown"/> Former First Lady Barbara Bush, [[Walter Cronkite]], [[David Eisenhower]] and [[David Brown (producer)|David Brown]] were among the eulogists.<ref name="Bush"/> Many of her person effects were auctioned off at [[Christie's]] on October 14, 1995.<ref name="Christie's">{{cite web |title=Property from the Estate of Mildred S. Hilson |url=https://www.christies.com/en/auction/property-from-the-estate-of-mildred-s-hilson-6024/ |website=Christie's |access-date=August 19, 2022}}</ref> |
She died at home on December 10, 1994, at the age of 96.<ref name="Dullea"/><ref name="LATimes"/> Her funeral was held at [[Temple Emanu-El of New York (New York, 1930)|Temple Emanu-El of New York]].<ref name="Brown"/> Former First Lady Barbara Bush, [[Walter Cronkite]], [[David Eisenhower]] and [[David Brown (producer)|David Brown]] were among the eulogists.<ref name="Bush"/> Many of her person effects were auctioned off at [[Christie's]] on October 14, 1995.<ref name="Christie's">{{cite web |title=Property from the Estate of Mildred S. Hilson |url=https://www.christies.com/en/auction/property-from-the-estate-of-mildred-s-hilson-6024/ |website=Christie's |access-date=August 19, 2022}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:1994 deaths]] |
[[Category:1994 deaths]] |
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[[Category:People from Brooklyn]] |
[[Category:People from Brooklyn]] |
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[[Category:Socialites from New York City]] |
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[[Category:American socialites]] |
[[Category:American socialites]] |
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[[Category:American |
[[Category:American patrons of the arts]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:American philanthropists]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:American women philanthropists]] |
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[[Category:20th-century American Jews]] |
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]] |
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[[Category:New York (state) Republicans]] |
[[Category:New York (state) Republicans]] |
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Revision as of 16:32, 15 July 2024
Mildred Hilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mildred Helen Stern March 30, 1898 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 10, 1994 (aged 96) Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Edwin I. Hilson
(m. 1924; died 1952) |
| Children | 2 |
Mildred Helen Hilson (née Stern; March 30, 1898 – December 10, 1994) was an American socialite, philanthropist and patron of the arts. A staunch supporter of the Republican Party, she befriended multiple Republican presidents.
Life
Hilson was born Mildred Helen Stern in Brooklyn on March 30, 1898. In 1924, she married investment banker Edwin I. Hilson (1895–1952), later senior partner at Wertheim & Co.[1] They had two children: John Stern Hilson (1925–1991) and Mary Hilson (1930–1987).[2] Her husband died in 1952.[3]
Following her husband's death, she took his seat on the board of the Hospital for Special Surgery, five years later she was named vice president and remained in this role until her death. She raised over $15 million for the hospital through its annual benefit.[4][5]
Vice chairwoman of the Women's National Republican Club, she was also a major fundraiser for the Republican Party and volunteered on several citizens' committees to elect or re-elect Republican candidates to state and national office.[1][3] She befriended every Republican president from Dwight D. Eisenhower on. President Eisenhower painted a portrait of her which hung in her study and Mamie Eisenhower was a close friend. At her 90th birthday party at The St. Regis, former President Richard Nixon played Happy Birthday on the piano while the 200 guests sang along.[3][6]
Hilson also gave generously to the arts, serving on the board of the Museum of the City of New York and the New York City Cultural Council. During John Lindsay's term as Mayor of New York City in the late 1960s, she served as his unsalaried representative on cultural affairs.[3]
She lived for much of her life in Waldorf Towers. It was here, in 1971, she met and befriended George H. W. Bush, who had just been appointed American ambassador to the United Nations, and his wife, Barbara. She first met Mrs. Bush in March 1971 in the elevator and invited her to a dinner she was hosting for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor that May.[7][8] She hosted a dinner for the Bushes in her apartment upon his election as Vice President of the United States.[9] She also entertained Laurence Olivier and Hubert de Givenchy. In 1989, when she was bedridden due to illness, Givenchy brought one of his models to Hilson's apartment to show her his spring collection.[3] She also wore the designs of Bill Blass, once remarking to Blass during a fitting at the age 90, " "Bill, I hope you can get this dress delivered to me before I die." To which he replied, "I can't guarantee it."[10]
In 1989, the plaza of a new hospital residence at the Hospital for Special Surgery was dedicated in her honor. That same year, the New York City division of the American Cancer Society gave her its humanitarian award. She was also awarded the women's division of Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Sarnoff Award for her volunteer service.[3]
She died at home on December 10, 1994, at the age of 96.[3][4] Her funeral was held at Temple Emanu-El of New York.[8] Former First Lady Barbara Bush, Walter Cronkite, David Eisenhower and David Brown were among the eulogists.[7] Many of her person effects were auctioned off at Christie's on October 14, 1995.[11]
References
- ^ a b Nemy, Enid (April 5, 1982). "A Trio of Octogenarians Who Ignore the Calendar". The New York Times. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ "John Hilson, 66, Dies; Was Investment Banker". The New York Times. May 27, 1991. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dullea, Georgia (December 11, 1994). "Mildred Hilson Is Dead at 96; Fund-Raiser and Arts Patron". The New York Times. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b "Mildred Hilson; Noted Fund-Raiser". Los Angeles Times. December 12, 1994. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Nemy, Enid (April 26, 1978). "Mrs. Hilson and Mr. Cronkite Anchor a Party". The New York Times. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Dullea, Georgia (March 31, 1988). "It's a Rosy Night as Mildred Turns 90". The New York Times. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b Bush, Barbara (2003). Reflections: Life After the White House. New York: Scribner. p. 73. ISBN 0743223594.
- ^ a b Brown, David W. (February 5, 1995). "Seen Around Town–III". The New Yorker. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Nemy, Enid (January 9, 1981). "The Bushes Come to Town for Private Party". The New York Times. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Morris, Bob (July 8, 2002). "An American Classic". New York. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ "Property from the Estate of Mildred S. Hilson". Christie's. Retrieved August 19, 2022.