Lee Radziwill, who passed away at the age of 85, lived a life marked by both glamour and tragedy, constantly in the shadows of her more famous sister, Jacqueline Kennedy. Born Caroline Lee Bouvier in 1933, Lee’s life was intertwined with the upper echelons of American society, but despite her privileged upbringing, she lived a solitary and often complicated existence. Upon her death, Lee’s will revealed a surprising twist: she left her entire fortune to a single beneficiary. This decision has led many to reflect on the enigmatic life of the woman who spent most of her life in the background, but whose legacy is now firmly in the spotlight.

Lee Radziwill was born into a prominent family in New York City. Her father, Jack Bouvier III, was a successful stockbroker, and her mother, Janet Norton Lee, was a well-known socialite. Growing up in the lap of luxury, Lee and her sister Jacqueline enjoyed a childhood of elegance, spending their summers in the Hamptons and attending prestigious schools. Despite this wealth, family tensions were ever-present, especially after their parents’ divorce during Lee’s teenage years.

While Jacqueline went on to become an international icon—marrying President John F. Kennedy and assuming the role of First Lady—Lee’s life would always be seen through the lens of comparison. Jacqueline’s social prominence and marriage to a political figure put Lee in the position of the lesser-known sister, even though she shared many of the same qualities that made Jacqueline adored: beauty, intelligence, and a keen sense of style.

Lee’s personal life mirrored the drama and complexity of her public existence. At 21, she married Michael Temple Canfield, a publisher. The couple moved to London, where Lee’s life seemed to be unfolding like a fairy tale. However, Canfield’s battle with alcoholism soon shattered this illusion. Despite his best efforts to reform, the marriage crumbled under the strain of his addiction. Lee’s next foray into matrimony came in 1959 when she married Polish-Lithuanian Prince Stanisław Radziwiłł. Their union resulted in two children, Anthony and Christina, and for a time, Lee seemed to find happiness within the realm of royalty.

However, this marriage too ended in divorce in 1974, amidst rumors of infidelity and a series of other speculated romantic entanglements, including one with Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. The divorce, while painful, was also marked by Lee’s reflection that her years with the Prince had been some of the happiest of her life.

In 1988, Lee married again, this time to film director Herbert Ross, whose acclaimed works included Steel Magnolias and The Goodbye Girl. Though this marriage was short-lived, lasting until 2001, it showcased Lee’s continued search for meaning and connection. Interestingly, it also revealed her growing disdain for the Hollywood elite, despite her own brief flirtation with the film industry.

One of the most complicated aspects of Lee’s life was her relationship with her sister, Jacqueline. Despite the rivalry and jealousy that sometimes simmered beneath the surface, the two shared a deep bond that was forged in their early years and strengthened through shared tragedy. Lee was Jacqueline’s rock following the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, and she stood by her sister during the incredibly difficult days that followed.

However, as Jacqueline’s life evolved, particularly after her marriage to Aristotle Onassis in 1968, tensions began to build. There were rumors of an affair between Lee and Onassis, and it became clear that their bond was strained. The sisters, once incredibly close, began to drift apart, especially as Jacqueline became increasingly involved with Robert Kennedy in the months following JFK’s death. Despite this, Lee never publicly regretted their estrangement, though she confided in close friends about the emotional toll it had taken on her.

While Lee’s personal life was tumultuous, her professional life offered her a measure of fulfillment. After a brief and largely unsuccessful attempt at acting, Lee found her true passion in interior design. In 1976, she launched her own design firm, and soon became known for her unique aesthetic, which blended elegance with understated luxury. Her work in design earned her significant recognition, with her houses featured in Architectural Digest and attracting wealthy clientele from around the world.

Her creative achievements in interior design, along with her work in fashion and the arts, cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in design. She was often regarded as a style icon, with Giorgio Armani calling her one of his greatest inspirations. In her later years, Lee’s refined sense of fashion and her distinctive home designs continued to garner admiration from those in the art and design world.

A Lasting Legacy

When Lee Radziwill passed away in February 2019, she was laid to rest in New York City’s St. Thomas More Church. The funeral was attended by a number of high-profile figures from the fashion and arts industries, including Marc Jacobs, Caroline Kennedy, and Peter Beard. Despite the many complexities of her life, Lee was remembered for her distinct sense of humor, her grace under pressure, and her unwavering commitment to art and beauty.

In her will, Lee left her entire fortune to her daughter Christina, which was a surprising move, given the public nature of her strained relationship with her child. Christina, who had faced her own challenges in reconciling with her mother, now stands to inherit a vast fortune, potentially using it to invest in real estate or pursue other personal projects. This final act has sparked much discussion and speculation, but it also underscores the complicated, private nature of Lee’s life and her commitment to maintaining control over her legacy.

The End of an Era

Lee Radziwill spent her life balancing between the world of New York high society, royalty, and the world of design, fashion, and art. While her name was often overshadowed by the public life of her sister Jacqueline, Lee’s contributions to the arts, her distinct style, and her personal journey through love, loss, and reinvention have ensured that her legacy remains as relevant today as ever. As Christina Radziwiłł navigates her inheritance and the next phase of her life, Lee’s remarkable life story and her significant artistic and personal contributions will continue to inspire generations to come