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Women of Means: The Fascinating Biographies of Royals, Heiresses, Eccentrics and Other Poor Little Rich Girls
People are riveted by royals, captivated by celebrities, mesmerized by the monied and enthralled by eccentric characters. Biographer Marlene Wagman Geller gathers them all in this enchanting look at the lives and the gilded lives of wealthy women.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2019
4,104 people are currently reading
1,926 people want to read
About the author
Marlene Wagman-Geller
15Ìýbooks72ÌýfollowersMarlene Wagman-Geller grew up in Toronto and is a lifelong bibliophile. She is a veteran high school English teacher in National City, California, and currently lives in San Diego.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
June 6, 2023
Pretty Good!
Each chapter is filled with the delightful gossip of someone, usually female, who was born into a wealthy family.
The subject of the chapter is either from a dis-functional family, or becomes dis-functional after inheriting a ton of money.
These women are all similar, in that they are used and abused for their wealth.
Some of the people whose family is discussed are from the Rothschilds, the Cunards, the Johnson & Johnsons, the Bettencourts, the Chanels, Doris Duke heirs, the BMW Quandts, Leona Helmsley and so many others.
Wegman-Geller wants the world to know that money doesn’t bring you happiness.
That’s something I think we already know. But I don’t blame all that money for people’s unhappiness. I blame what they choose to do with it.
Three stars. 💫💫💫
Each chapter is filled with the delightful gossip of someone, usually female, who was born into a wealthy family.
The subject of the chapter is either from a dis-functional family, or becomes dis-functional after inheriting a ton of money.
These women are all similar, in that they are used and abused for their wealth.
Some of the people whose family is discussed are from the Rothschilds, the Cunards, the Johnson & Johnsons, the Bettencourts, the Chanels, Doris Duke heirs, the BMW Quandts, Leona Helmsley and so many others.
Wegman-Geller wants the world to know that money doesn’t bring you happiness.
That’s something I think we already know. But I don’t blame all that money for people’s unhappiness. I blame what they choose to do with it.
Three stars. 💫💫💫
September 12, 2020
I dont know why this book isn’t rated higher. The audio is so entertaining!
February 8, 2020
This is a gossip knock off of a book. The lives of these ladies are fascinating and some are more notorious than others. However, you get most of the same facts from a Wikipedia article. Indeed, most of the sources are the Daily Mail, People or the ladies' obituaries. The author also has the bad habit of changing which name she wants to use to refer to a person. This makes following the thread of the chapter difficult. There's also some date errors, a glaring one in the Casey Johnson chapter. The shoehorning of the themes in the chapters makes for a tiresome effect. I wish the chapters were just title by the heiress' names. Another wish is pictures; it would bring the ladies to life. Overall, the book takes a lot of schadenfreude in the misfortunes of the rich. I don't pity the rich. And clearly some of them do make bad decisions. However, some of the ladies' less scandalous accomplishments are glossed over.
August 17, 2020
A few times I laughed out loud at some of the quotes the author shares. I am always a bit suspicious of historical detail with no attribution as to the source, and this book certainly had me wondering. Right up until page 52. In her chapter on Edwina Mountbatten nee Ashley, she writes about the assassination of her husband Lord Mountbatten in 1979 when the IRA planted a bomb in his fishing boat, killing Mountbatten and his 14-year-old grandson.
It was on page 53 that I stopped reading and moved this book onto my "Abandoned" shelf. For there Wagman-Geller writes, "Edwina spent her last years emotionally adrift, miserable at the enforced separation of the man she loved and devastated at the tragic loss of her husband and grandson. She passed away from heart failure in North Borneo in 1960...." So. NINETEEN YEARS BEFORE her husband and grandson were killed, she died mourning their loss.
Don't waste your time on this one. You'll have no idea what's true and what is pure fantasy. And shame on the editors for not catching that. tsk tsk tsk.
It was on page 53 that I stopped reading and moved this book onto my "Abandoned" shelf. For there Wagman-Geller writes, "Edwina spent her last years emotionally adrift, miserable at the enforced separation of the man she loved and devastated at the tragic loss of her husband and grandson. She passed away from heart failure in North Borneo in 1960...." So. NINETEEN YEARS BEFORE her husband and grandson were killed, she died mourning their loss.
Don't waste your time on this one. You'll have no idea what's true and what is pure fantasy. And shame on the editors for not catching that. tsk tsk tsk.
September 26, 2022
- Minor Editing done and downgrading this from 2 to 1 star -
Biographies are my favorite genre, maybe that means I'm a gossipy ghost I don't know, but fact is, I believe the only way we will all learn is by looking at whats behind, what actions were taken, their positives and negatives, and the impact they had on modern society as a whole.
That being said, I should also be just and add, a biographer has probably one of the hardest tasks of all - walking that razor thin line that separates biography from hagiography from I hate this person and why the hell am I writing about you (oh that's right, I got bills to pay!).
Naturally, since an author is only after all a human being, not everyone will succeed in this endeavor....and that is sadly what happened here.
I cant bring myself to recommend this to anyone, and its a shame because 80% of the women in here had a life worth telling - no matter how tragic/sad/bad it might have been - without the judgmental undertone that is present in the whole book.
These women were/are filthy rich true, they live(d) a life the vast majority of us can only see on social media or in a Hollywood movie, but to dumb them down to stupid vapid empty women is insulting, demeaning and down right a shame.
The only ones that seem to merit some respect from the author are the ones who, literally, kicked the men in their lives to the curb and became vengeful harpies.....which only annoyed me more!
I mean nothing wrong with getting rid of the bad baggage in your life, but also please don't judge a book just by its cover, and please don't judge the actions of women who in some cases lived almost 100 years ago, by today's standards.
Another thing I don't like is the poor editing/proofing I see - frankly I think this 100% fails not only as a serious biography but also as an introduction.
The research, oh bloody hell, half a dozen magazine articles per person do not a solid biography make....who allowed this to be published is my number one question? (I'm glad I read this for free honestly).
- Example - Lord Mountbatten was killed alongside family members in 1979 when the IRA successfully detonated a bomb in his boat - the author then states his wife Lady Edwina spent the last years of her life mourning her husband.....as a ghost perhaps, since she had died in 1960.
If you want to learn a thing or two about these women, and also be entertained, there's much MUCH better options out there than this...that is all I can say.
Anyways, happy readings!
Biographies are my favorite genre, maybe that means I'm a gossipy ghost I don't know, but fact is, I believe the only way we will all learn is by looking at whats behind, what actions were taken, their positives and negatives, and the impact they had on modern society as a whole.
That being said, I should also be just and add, a biographer has probably one of the hardest tasks of all - walking that razor thin line that separates biography from hagiography from I hate this person and why the hell am I writing about you (oh that's right, I got bills to pay!).
Naturally, since an author is only after all a human being, not everyone will succeed in this endeavor....and that is sadly what happened here.
I cant bring myself to recommend this to anyone, and its a shame because 80% of the women in here had a life worth telling - no matter how tragic/sad/bad it might have been - without the judgmental undertone that is present in the whole book.
These women were/are filthy rich true, they live(d) a life the vast majority of us can only see on social media or in a Hollywood movie, but to dumb them down to stupid vapid empty women is insulting, demeaning and down right a shame.
The only ones that seem to merit some respect from the author are the ones who, literally, kicked the men in their lives to the curb and became vengeful harpies.....which only annoyed me more!
I mean nothing wrong with getting rid of the bad baggage in your life, but also please don't judge a book just by its cover, and please don't judge the actions of women who in some cases lived almost 100 years ago, by today's standards.
Another thing I don't like is the poor editing/proofing I see - frankly I think this 100% fails not only as a serious biography but also as an introduction.
The research, oh bloody hell, half a dozen magazine articles per person do not a solid biography make....who allowed this to be published is my number one question? (I'm glad I read this for free honestly).
- Example - Lord Mountbatten was killed alongside family members in 1979 when the IRA successfully detonated a bomb in his boat - the author then states his wife Lady Edwina spent the last years of her life mourning her husband.....as a ghost perhaps, since she had died in 1960.
If you want to learn a thing or two about these women, and also be entertained, there's much MUCH better options out there than this...that is all I can say.
Anyways, happy readings!
February 18, 2021
Marlene Wagman-Geller’s latest is a scintillating look at 28 ultra-wealthy women whose lives flowed with “champagne and bile.�
💰
Her addictive book unfolds shocking tales of troubled luminaries. We learn the real real about Patty Hearst; Almira Carnarvon, spiritual twin to Lady Cora of Downton Abbey; Liliane Bettencourt, whose L’Oreal-founding chemist father was a Nazi collaborator; and Peggy Guggenheim, who lusted insatiably for modern art and sexy men, among many intriguing others. It’s like watching Princess Diana that last night in Paris; you just can’t look away.
💰
If anything, I came away shaking my head but still wishing for the winning lotto ticket, remembering a quote from Rita Davenport: “Money isn’t everything...but it ranks up there with oxygen.�
💰
Highly recommended for lovers of elegant true stories and cautionary tales! Out now.
~~
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
💰
Her addictive book unfolds shocking tales of troubled luminaries. We learn the real real about Patty Hearst; Almira Carnarvon, spiritual twin to Lady Cora of Downton Abbey; Liliane Bettencourt, whose L’Oreal-founding chemist father was a Nazi collaborator; and Peggy Guggenheim, who lusted insatiably for modern art and sexy men, among many intriguing others. It’s like watching Princess Diana that last night in Paris; you just can’t look away.
💰
If anything, I came away shaking my head but still wishing for the winning lotto ticket, remembering a quote from Rita Davenport: “Money isn’t everything...but it ranks up there with oxygen.�
💰
Highly recommended for lovers of elegant true stories and cautionary tales! Out now.
~~
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 19, 2020
From the cover I thought that the women featured would be more historical however that is not the case. This book has potential it just lost me with its gossip style and lack of attention to details, for example spelling - "Princess Caroline of Monaca" (page 118) and observations - Edwina Mountbatten "devastated at the tragic loss of her husband and grandson" (page 61). On the same page it is written that she died in 1960 and her husband and grandson in 1979 so she would not have known of their deaths.
March 1, 2021
An interesting if dramatic look at so-called poor little rich girls, lol.
This is very readable and light.
I would've given 3.5 stars but I did not like the way the author used race: for sensationalism largely ignoring the nuance. I know this was about the women but without the nuance of race the Black men come off very stereotypically. There was also zero discussion of rich white folks and how they like to 'collect' talented Black folks. This has a long and disturbing history.
Given that white women were full agents in US style slavery around the globe and this MUST be looked at and commented about when mentioning these type of situationships.
Otherwise light and fun.
This is very readable and light.
I would've given 3.5 stars but I did not like the way the author used race: for sensationalism largely ignoring the nuance. I know this was about the women but without the nuance of race the Black men come off very stereotypically. There was also zero discussion of rich white folks and how they like to 'collect' talented Black folks. This has a long and disturbing history.
Given that white women were full agents in US style slavery around the globe and this MUST be looked at and commented about when mentioning these type of situationships.
Otherwise light and fun.
October 11, 2019
Like the earlier books from the author, this one was a fascinating read about people I have heard about or read about and even marveled at or been envious of!
Money is of course necessary for a good life and is something no one would say no to. But the women featured in this book have so much of it that it takes over their lives. Proving that richness is no cornucopia for all ills, these women go through their own share of heartache, both self inflicted and well deserved.
Told in an engaging way, their stories kept me hooked.
Money is of course necessary for a good life and is something no one would say no to. But the women featured in this book have so much of it that it takes over their lives. Proving that richness is no cornucopia for all ills, these women go through their own share of heartache, both self inflicted and well deserved.
Told in an engaging way, their stories kept me hooked.
October 6, 2020
The ONLY thing fascinating about this book is the fact that it was published. Zero editing or fact-checking, it's like reading something written by a 5th grader.
"Lord Louis Mountbatten died in 1979 and his wife mourned him for the remaining years of her life, dying in 1960." Just an example of what to expect from this joke of a book.
Life is too short, don't waste your time. The worst book I have never read!
"Lord Louis Mountbatten died in 1979 and his wife mourned him for the remaining years of her life, dying in 1960." Just an example of what to expect from this joke of a book.
Life is too short, don't waste your time. The worst book I have never read!
May 29, 2023
A lot of very interesting women in history. The writing is unique, and I enjoyed the vignettes of lives of the "rich and famous" which actually made me feel pretty darn good about my basic, middle-class life. Non-fiction. Material that might inspire a reader to dig deeper and write an historical fiction novel or one of those dual timeline stories.
December 16, 2020
tabloid type rubbish
November 13, 2019
This book proved beyond question that being born into great wealth doesn't insure a trouble-free life. It did illustrate as well that vast amounts of cash can smooth out some of the rough spots.
As I progressed through the stories, I was surprised, sometimes saddened, at the level of dysfunction the women experienced while they grew up. Appealing to rich potential spouses, having money and social status were the main, and often only goals they were encouraged to pursue.
The lives of these ultra rich and famous women were not dull, and made an interesting read
Separate chapters dedicated to each heiress, explores lives, loves, adventures and misfortunes.
The format make the book extremely easy to read.
The author makes no obvious judgement, however, there is a kind of spare tartness of language in spots that made me chuckle.
I enjoyed the stories. Ms. Wagman-Geller's research into these woman was impressive. The book is well worth reading.
As I progressed through the stories, I was surprised, sometimes saddened, at the level of dysfunction the women experienced while they grew up. Appealing to rich potential spouses, having money and social status were the main, and often only goals they were encouraged to pursue.
The lives of these ultra rich and famous women were not dull, and made an interesting read
Separate chapters dedicated to each heiress, explores lives, loves, adventures and misfortunes.
The format make the book extremely easy to read.
The author makes no obvious judgement, however, there is a kind of spare tartness of language in spots that made me chuckle.
I enjoyed the stories. Ms. Wagman-Geller's research into these woman was impressive. The book is well worth reading.
July 13, 2020
But I read the whole thing! So I have no one to blame but myself for the fact that I feel sick afterwards. Exploitative trash. I am thoroughly ashamed of myself. Trust me you will feel less of a person if you read this. Badly written, poorly edited, repetitious, unsympathetic, and cold. Not a scrap of human warmth or empathy in the book. Ugh!
June 26, 2020
3 1/2 stars
Though I found them interesting, the biographies were too brief as they must be to be included in a book of 28 women. I prefer longer, single-subject books and found a few subjects I would like to learn more about.
Though I found them interesting, the biographies were too brief as they must be to be included in a book of 28 women. I prefer longer, single-subject books and found a few subjects I would like to learn more about.
August 8, 2020
Short, fun bios of rich women we have probably heard of. Quick read. Not jealous at all of any of them.
October 12, 2023
If you dream of being a rich woman, read this, and be careful what you wish for! This book details the lives of a few very wealthy women, and why their riches definitely did not provide happiness. This is told with an element of humour though, which makes it a very enjoyable read. Another winner for me! 🎉
September 14, 2019
I love this author and all of her books so far. They are full of so many fascinating facts about people who we may think we know but usually have no real clue about as well as introducing us as a reader to unknown women who have a life story which can be tragic or successful. In her latest work we look at women who on the face of it should have the world at their feet but behind the name and money cones pain and misfortune that we can only begin to understand. This book did not disappoint with a fascinating mix of women some well known and some lesser so but everyone has a story mixed in tragedy which was just fascinating to read.
My favourites in this book were Nancy Cunard and Jocelyn Wilderstein. These two women I had thought I knew but through this book realised I knew nothing at all about them. Many Cunard was not only an muse to many famous men but also a dedicated activist in her time yet mental illness and alcoholism damaged her life and ultimately caused her death. Jocelyn Wilderstein is known through the media as cat woman due to her obsession with this plastic surgery to make her look more feline but the tragic story behind why is heartbreaking.
This book is a fascinating read behind the curtain of a life most of us could not even achieve or imagine.
My favourites in this book were Nancy Cunard and Jocelyn Wilderstein. These two women I had thought I knew but through this book realised I knew nothing at all about them. Many Cunard was not only an muse to many famous men but also a dedicated activist in her time yet mental illness and alcoholism damaged her life and ultimately caused her death. Jocelyn Wilderstein is known through the media as cat woman due to her obsession with this plastic surgery to make her look more feline but the tragic story behind why is heartbreaking.
This book is a fascinating read behind the curtain of a life most of us could not even achieve or imagine.
July 27, 2020
Totally entertaining!
A fascinating inside look at the rich & famous. Done with subtle humor. Definitely proves that money doesn’t buy happiness!
A fascinating inside look at the rich & famous. Done with subtle humor. Definitely proves that money doesn’t buy happiness!
August 4, 2020
Each chapter was a condensed history of a fascinatingly rich family and the challenges this lifestyle brings. I enjoyed each and every chapter!
December 24, 2022
A collection of 28 short biographies of rich women. Includes the likes of Peggy Guggenheim, Gloria Vanderbilt, Edwina Mountbatten, and Patty Hearst. Covers their demons, addictions, successes and failures.
May 29, 2022
Terrible terrible terrible tales of women with wealthy families from some type of crime, who’ve inherited a lack of self respect, sense and value, who by their choices become not only their own but also their offsprings demise.
Can you say “No Self Respect�
Can you say “No Self Respect�
October 14, 2023
I really enjoy books full of short biographies and this is a good one. Includes a number of women I hadn’t heard of and provides a brief overview of their lives. There were a number of spelling mistakes throughout the book which I found a bit distracting, but overall a good read.
July 29, 2020
It was like reading the intro to Masterpiece Mysteries only many more pages. Not bad. Some of the chapters are told out of sequence or were a bit nonsensical. It was kind of like reading book reports, only most of the works cited are periodicals.
It wasn't bad and it was FREE. Free is free.
It wasn't bad and it was FREE. Free is free.
July 27, 2020
Review
Interesting if you like this genre,as I do. These life stories explain the saying "money can't buy love". These poor women
Interesting if you like this genre,as I do. These life stories explain the saying "money can't buy love". These poor women
October 4, 2019
I have read a few of Marlene Wagman-Geller‘s fascinating books and was looking forward to this one, and it didn’t disappoint. Women of Means is a well researched book full of interesting biographies of ‘well off� women from royals to heiresses, full of the intimate details of these women you get to understand their lives through their stories.
The women who really stood our for me were, Almira Carnarvon, who was the real-life inspiration for Downton Abbey’s Lady Cora. Nica Rothschild, was another fascinating women, the chapter on her recounts how she chose to trade her gilded life to become the Baroness of Bebop. Liliane Bettencourt’s story intrigued me, the daughter of the chemist who created L’Oreal, she became a Nazi collaborator. These are just a few examples of the women Wagman-Geller has written about but there are many more stories to explore in her latest book.
I could not put this book down, and would definitely recommend it, a five star read.
The women who really stood our for me were, Almira Carnarvon, who was the real-life inspiration for Downton Abbey’s Lady Cora. Nica Rothschild, was another fascinating women, the chapter on her recounts how she chose to trade her gilded life to become the Baroness of Bebop. Liliane Bettencourt’s story intrigued me, the daughter of the chemist who created L’Oreal, she became a Nazi collaborator. These are just a few examples of the women Wagman-Geller has written about but there are many more stories to explore in her latest book.
I could not put this book down, and would definitely recommend it, a five star read.
October 7, 2019
Short, concise bios of women to whom money was literally no object...it was just there, controlling every aspect of their lives, their marriages, their children, and their place in society. Some of the stories begin sadly and end up happier, others go the opposite direction, and those are the most challenging to read. I liked this one for it's brevity, though the author tends to be a bit preachy with her tendency to lead and finish each bio with a quote or moral admonishment -- it detracted from the bios and didn't seem necessary, especially since the stories amply demonstrated the pitfalls (and some glories) of being a woman of means.
April 21, 2020
An outstanding look at the lives of famous women. Some were not so well known to me and there were some that I was aware of but did not know certain details of their life. Covering women as diverse as Ruth Madoff, Patty Hearst, Jocelyn Wildenstein (known for having so many plastic surgeries she was referred to as the "cat woman"), Almira Carnavon (the real life counterpart to Lady Cora of Downton Abbey) and several lesser known females, Marlene Wagman-Geller uses short chapters to reveal a multitude of behind the scenes information on these compelling ladies. Definitely a great read!
August 22, 2020
This collection of mini biographies of incredibly wealthy but spoiled women is entertaining and mind-boggling but ultimately a bit repetitive and very depressing. The up side is that after reading it, the other 99 percent may feel relieved to NOT be born into ridiculous wealth. This book needs a copy edit (multiple misspellings, confusing syntax), and the author’s love of tabloid-y turns of phrase is too heavy-handed. But feminists, history buffs and fans of celebrity will enjoy this book anyway.
April 22, 2020
This is a detailed collection of royals and hieresses, who endure tragic scenarios. This book is well written, intriguing and fascinating. The names of the mini biographies include Nancy Cunard, Peggy Gugginheim, Gloria Vanderbilt and Casey Johnson and others.All stories are very interesting and a bit heartbreaking. It's worth the read!
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