At her death, Huguette had not visited Bellosguardo in over half a century. Anna's death in 1963 further isolated Huguette, to the point where her world was delineated by the four walls of a hospital room in Manhattan. Though Anna and Huguette did entertain, through time, they began to withdraw from society and truly lived only for each other. While opulent in its own right, the design veered from the wild excesses of her husband's taste, gravitating toward a staid elegance.

Sad story despite claims Huguette was happy, still her actions reveal otherwise. Those intrigued with the Clark family and of Huguette will enjoy Meryl Gordon’s effort. Reginald Johnson designed Anna's new manse. Comprehensive overview of the obscenely wealthy Clark family as well as focusing on Huguette Clark. With the Depression in full swing, Anna found work for many by improving the estate, and finally decided to tear down the Graham house to build something entirely her own. During this time, Anna and Huguette donated the funds that created the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, which neighbors the estate. As his sprawling empire faded, Anna and Huguette retreated to Santa Barbara. They had two daughters, Andrée (who died young) and Huguette.Ĭlark died at 86, two years after buying Bellosguardo.

Beginning with nothing, Clark was a true self-made man, for a time laying claim to the largest mining concern in the world.Īnna, determined to escape the grinding poverty that defined her own youth, managed a meeting with Clark, which led-eventually-to their marriage. In 1902, the Graham family built a lavish Italianate villa on the property and named their estate Bellosguardo, or 'beautiful lookout.'Ĭopper king, William Andrews Clark, bought the estate from the Grahams in 1923.

The mysterious life of huguette clark