Legal documents referenced: “Depositions of Zsa Zsa Gabor O’Hara” (June 14, 1979; July 9, 1979; July 10, 1979); “Deposition of William Barron Hilton” (September 24, 1979).
Articles Referenced: Dora Jane Hamblin, “In 19 Lands, Instant America: His Hotels Keep Conrad Hilton Hopping,” Life, August 30, 1963.
Note: The scenes recreated at the dinner—including Zsa Zsa Gabor’s toast—were reconstructed from Zsa Zsa Gabor’s interviews with Bart Andrews in February of 1986 for a proposed autobiography by Andrews and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
GENERAL RESEARCH
I would like to express my gratitude to the following institutions:
American Academy of Dramatic Arts; American Film Institute Library; Associated Press Office (New York); Lincoln Center, New York; Beverly Hills Library; University of California, Los Angeles; Corbis-Gamma/Liason; Glendale Central Public Library; Hedda Hopper Collection in the Margaret Herrick Collection of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Beverly Hills; Lincoln Center Library of the Performing Arts; Kobal Collection; Los Angeles Times; Los Angeles Public Library; Museum of Broadcasting, New York; the former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio archives, now part of the Turner Entertainment Group, Los Angeles; Museum of the Film; National Archives and the Library of Congress; New York City Municipal Archives; New York University Library; New York Daily News; New York Post; New York Times; Philadelphia Public Library; Time-Life archives and library, New York; Tribune Photo Archives, Overland Park, Kansas; Universal Collection at the University of Southern California; University of Southern California; and, finally, Rex Features.
Special thanks to the Museum of Broadcasting in New York and the Paley Center for Media in California for making so many archival television programs—thousands of broadcasts—available to historians such as myself.
PERSONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My thanks to Jonathan Hahn, a brilliant writer, personal publicist, and good friend.
Thanks also to all of those from “Team JRT,” including Michael Horowitz and Felinda deYoung of Horowitz, McMahon and Zarem, and Gerald L. Kane and Hasmik Stepanyan of the Law Offices of Gerald L. Kane.
I would also like to acknowledge my friends and television miniseries collaborators: Keri Selig and Nicole Grotin of Intuition Productions; Jonathan Koch of Asylum Productions; Stanley Hubbard of ReelzChannel; and Michael Prupus of Muse Entertainment Enterprises. Thanks also to excellent screenplay writers Dick Clement, Ian LaFrenais, and Stephen Kronish, all of whom have transformed recent books of mine into excellent television miniseries.
I want to thank my sister, Roslyn Barnett, and my very good friend Jillian DeVaney, both of whom read this book in early manuscript form and gave me the positive reinforcement I needed to know that this really was a story worth sharing with my loyal readership. I appreciate it very much.
Thanks also to: Andy Steinlen; George Solomon; Jeff Hare; Andy Hirsch; Danny Graham; Ryron and Rener Gracie and the Gracie Academy, Beverly Hills; Nolan Blackford; Martha Vamos; Samuel Munoz; Bruce Rheins and Dawn Westlake; Mike P. Bradley; Jeff Cook; Aaron Lawrence; David Gunther; Maggie Seawright; Daniel and Erika Feser; Nolan Blackford; Erik and Connie Rodriguez and George and Vivian Rodriguez; Barb Mueller; Phil Farinola; Roman D’Angelo; William Rodriguez; Jared Murphy; Rita Bosico, Lisa Young; Michael Bradley; Al Kramer; Brandon Schmook; Richard Tyler Jordan; Steve Ivory; Hazel and Rob Kragulac; Manuel Gallegos; Andy Skurow; Brian Newman; Scherrie Payne; Freda Payne; Susaye Greene; Cindy Birdsong; Lynda Laurence; Barbara Ormsby; John Passantino; Linda DeStefano; David Spiro; Billy Masters; Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Steinlen; David and Frances Snyder; Abby and Maddy Snyder; Maribeth and Don Rothell; Mary Alvarez; Marlene Morris; Kac Young; Frank Rich; Leslie Miller; Yvette Jarecki; Phil Filomowicz; Jonathan Fousek; Robin Roth; Joe Scott; Rick Temple; Mary Downey; Felipe Echeri; Alexandra Wescourt; Laura Fagin; Charles Thomson; Samar Habib; Corey Sheppard; Deb Armstrong; Susan Kaya; Sal Pinto; and Misha D. Fisher.
I have always been so blessed to have a family as supportive as mine. My thanks and love go out to: Roslyn and Bill Barnett and Jessica and Zachary, Rocco and Rosemaria Taraborrelli and Rocco and Vincent, and Arnold Taraborrelli. Special thanks to my father, Rocco. A big smile, also, for Spencer.
All of my books are written with my mother, Rose Marie, in mind. We miss her very much.
Finally, I must also acknowledge those readers of mine who have stuck by me over the course of my career. I am eternally grateful to anyone who takes the time to pick up one of my books and read it.
Thank you so much,
J. Randy Taraborrelli
Winter 2013
ALSO BY J. RANDY TARABORRELLI
AFTER CAMELOT:
A Personal History of the Kennedy Family, 1968 to the Present
JACKIE, ETHEL, JOAN:
Women of Camelot
ONCE UPON A TIME:
Behind the Fairy Tale of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier
ELIZABETH
THE SECRET LIFE OF MARILYN MONROE
MICHAEL JACKSON:
The Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story, 1958–2009
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* In 1991, Zsa Zsa explained to Larry King how she got her name: “Zsa Zsa I got in Budapest. I was originally named Sari Gabor after a famous actress in Budapest [Sari Fedak] whose nickname was also Zsa Zsa.” Technically, the spelling of her name is one Hungarian word, as in Zsazsa, and this is the manner in which she and her family members—and later Conrad Hilton—would write it.
* It’s worth noting that this is the only mention of Eric Hilton by name in Conrad Hilton’s 1957 autobiography, Be My Guest.
* “When Hilton went on the stock exchange, like any company there were upper-level employees who were able to buy the stocks at a little bit of a reduced rate before it went public,” observed Mark Young, of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. “Someone wrote to Hilton and asked him why the rate was so exceptionally low. He wrote back explaining that he wanted not just the general managers and high-level executives to be able to buy, but also the cleaning staff, the cooks, the mechanics—the medium- and lower-level staff—to have the opportunity to buy as well. He believed strongly that people who worked for the company should have the opportunity to have some stake in it.”
* Maxwell House coffee heir Robert Neal was a well-known man-about-town, once recognized by United Press International as one of the ten most eligible bachelors alongside Howard Hughes and Marlon Brando. A good friend of Peter Lawford’s, he was Peter’s best man when Lawford married Pat Kennedy, sister of the president. He also arranged their honeymoon cruise. He recalled that he and Nicky were so close, they used to call themselves “the Gold Dust Twins.”
* Mack Saxon died of a heart attack in May of 1949 at the age of forty-seven. Following his death, Mary moved back to El Paso.
* Trish’s comments make sense, considering that she was just ten when Nicky and Elizabeth married.
* Donald Hubbs, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1986, suggested that he was actually the one who proposed to Bates the language in the will that was ultimately disputed. Also, during the ensuing litigation, Hubbs testified that Conrad Hilton asked his advice as a tax expert on whether he should sign the will with the provision granting Barron Hilton the option. Hubbs said he advised Conrad Hilton to sign.
* It bears noting that Barron Hilton did finally secure his gaming license in Atlantic City in 1991, ironically enough taking over Steve Wynn’s Golden Nugget. When Barron purchased the property, Frank J. Dodd, who was a new member of the commission, said, “It was a major blunder to deny a casino license to Hilton [in 1985]. The industry has since fallen on hard times
in Atlantic City; the decision sent out a hostile signal to investors about how arbitrary and unreasonable New Jersey gambling officials could be. I don’t think I would have denied him a license. That was a major turning point in the history of Atlantic City. It sent out a bad signal.” (Barron would rename the hotel the Atlantic City Hilton. However, still disenchanted with Atlantic City, he would sell the property a short time later.)
* Nicky’s son Conrad nicholson and Rick’s son Conrad Hughes are both known as Conrad III.
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Welcome
Dedication
Prologue
PART ONE / Conrad Curse of the Ambitious
Humble Beginnings
Hotelier
Losing It All
Georgia on His Mind
Loneliness at the Top
Buying the Town House
Courting Zsa Zsa
Catholic Stumbling Block
Conrad Breaks the News to Zsa Zsa
PART TWO / Mary The First Mrs. Hilton
Business Affairs
PART THREE / Zsa Zsa Conrad’s Inner Turmoil
For Love or Money
The Roosevelt
Marriage: His
Marriage: Hers
A Frustrating Business Deal
The Plaza
An Ominous Sign
A Priest’s Visit
Up in Flames
He Never Should Have Done It
What Would It Take?
Zsa Zsa Is Institutionalized
The Divorce
Buying the Stevens and the Palmer House
Zsa Zsa’s Daughter
PART FOUR / Sons of the Father Transition
Raising the Rich
An Offer He Could Refuse
The Question of Francesca
PART FIVE / Elizabeth Beautiful Dreamer
Enter: Elizabeth Taylor
The Man Who Bought the Waldorf
Fast Worker
Nicky Takes Elizabeth to Texas
A Party to Celebrate the Caribe Hilton
Nicky and Elizabeth Marry
Honeymoon from Hell
Elizabeth Suffers a Miscarriage
Divorce—Hollywood Style
PART SIX / Spoils of the Rich and Famous America’s Dad
Casa Encantada
“He’s Getting Worse”
A Baroness Named Betsy
The Shadow of Her Smile
If Only
Zsa Zsa Finds Her Niche
Filling Elizabeth’s Shoes
Assault
Magic Words
Mamie
Marilyn’s Party
Dinner at the Manse
PART SEVEN / The Big Boon The Hilton Junket
Barron Climbs the Ladder of Success
Nicky’s Fast-Paced Life
Eric: From Out of the Shadows
A Troubling Conversation About Francesca
Natalie Wood’s Advice
Trish
“The Woman to Give My Children Life”
Nicky and Trish Marry
PART EIGHT / For Love or Money Zsa Zsa Is Not Wanted
“The Most Beautiful Woman”
Zsa Zsa Teaches Trish About the Hiltons
Success
Sibling Rivalry on the Rise
Francesca’s Summer of Discontent
Olive’s Appeal to Zsa Zsa
“Zsa Zsa Who?”
The Simple Life
“It’s Going to Be Okay, Brother”
PART NINE / In His Father’s House Nicky Causing Problems
The TWA Merger
“Tired of Being Misunderstood”
Nothing Personal
Showdown
A Done Deal
Trish Enters Conrad’s Den
Nicky Considers Suing His Family
From Kings to Paupers
Trish Tries Again with Conrad
Marilyn Hilton’s Plea to Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Makes a Decision
A Grasp at Happiness
The Death of Nicky Hilton
The Wake at Casa Encantada
PART TEN / Secrets Conrad’s Warning to Zsa Zsa
A Shocking Revelation
Francesca’s Requests
“Just in Case”
The Challenge
PART ELEVEN / Frances At Long Last Love
Frannie
A Gentle Nudge
Best Friend’s Advice
Family Concerns
The Thorn in His Side
The Marital Agreement
Conrad and Frances Marry
PART TWELVE / House of Hilton Life at the Mansion
“Spoiled Fruit”
Clearing the Air
Barron, Eric, and Francesca
Francesca’s Idea
The Great Adventure of His Life
Understanding Zsa Zsa
Death’s Door
Conrad Hilton: Rest in Peace
The Way He Wanted It
PART THIRTEEN / The Fight of Their Lives Francesca Contests the Will
“Insane Delusion”
Zsa Zsa’s Deposition
Smoking Gun?
A Surprise Visitor
Judge’s Decision
PART FOURTEEN / Heir Apparent Barron’s Option
A Windfall for Barron?
The Francesca Factor
Each Other
Eric and Pat Divorce
Barron Is Denied
Donald Trump Makes an Overture
Hostile Takeover?
Trump Meets Hilton
Trump to the Rescue
Resolution
PART FIFTEEN / Fini Zsa Zsa’s Lapse in Judgment
Francesca: “The Original Hilton Heiress”
Paris
“Rather Silly”?
How Did Conrad Do It?
End of an Era
Marilyn Hilton: Rest in Peace
On the Town with Paris
Epilogue: A Final Toast
Photos
About the Author
Acknowledgments and Source Notes Acknowledgments
Sources and Other Notes
Personal Acknowledgments
Also by J. Randy Taraborrelli
Newsletters
Copyright
Copyright
Copyright © 2014 by Rose Books, Inc.
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