Queen of Diamonds: The Fabled Legacy of Evalyn Walsh McLean

By Evalyn Walsh McLean

Book Overview

The last and longest private owner of the Hope Diamond, Evalyn Walsh McLean purchased the diamond when she was only twenty-four; spent more than $200,000 on a fabulous honeymoon and ended up in a Paris hotel without enough money to pay the bill; wandered the gloomy rooms of her home imagining crawling reptiles while overcoming her morphine addiction; and stood in the rain wearing a fur coat and clutching the Hope Diamond as her beloved Washington Post was auctioned. The deep indigo stone is but a single facet of her rags-to-riches story.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 157736192X
• ISBN13: 9781577361923
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Turner
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A Fantastic Life

Evalyn was (has she admits) rather spoiled, but with all of that money who wouldn't be? She was living her life of a wealthy woman just like others in her position. She was so much more than a rich witch. She was loving, loyal, and generous. When hard times it, she rolled with it. How she survived the death of her daughter was beyond my understanding. I enjoyed this book very much, I love reading about the lives of colorful people. Ms McLean gave a good read for what it was like to live in those times with all of that wealth

queenof diamonds the fabled legacy of evalyn walsh mclean

I have been a biography reader for many years and I can surly say that after reading this wonderful book about a lady who gave more to others then herself must have been to good to be true. Reading stories like this, reminds me when I was a little boy when my mother and grandmother would sit around a table and tell me about their lives. Most of all when their lives went to rags to riches to rags again like Evalyn did. I could not put Queen of Diamonds down. I'm so glad that a great grandson has taken a true story and is able to share his memories to everyone. It's wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants to read a good story. I applaude him. A MUST TO READ AND TO HAVE TO SHARE TO OTHERS.

Incredible insight to the life of privilege and power

"Father Struck It Rich" was written in 1936, long before it became popular to write a "tell-all" about one's famous life. This autobiography by Evalyn Walsh McLean is a refreshingly honest story of a life shaped by wealth and power near the turn of the century. She was raised in the Colorado mountains by parents who instilled a sense of responsibility and kindness in their daughter. Her life changed when her father "struck it rich" in the Ouray mountains. After moving to Washington, she became part of the inner circle of the wealthy and powerful. She led a life of extravagance and eventually married Ned McLean, heir to the Washington Post. She is well known for having acquired the Hope Diamond. Of course, she suffered great tragedy in her life with the premature deaths of her beloved brother and son and the eventual loss of her great wealth. However, she does not attribute these misfortunes to the famous stone. She gives a frank account of living amongst the rich and powerful and entertaining kings and presidents. Unfortunately, her husband was spoiled by money (mostly her's) and influence and never rose to greatness, even as a husband. She later raised her three children without the trappings of great wealth and tried to give back to society using the principles taught to her by her parents. The one thing that she clings to is her father's idea that there is no true generosity in giving money if the giver has much money. Unless you give of yourself, it costs nothing and therefore means nothing. She teaches us that "money does not bring the big things in life-friends, health, respect-it is so apt to make one soft and selfish." Love of others and peace in your soul are ingredients to happiness. The book leaves the reader wanting to know even more about the end of her life and the lives of her children. Great reading!