The Hiltons: The True Story of an American Dynasty

by Taraborrelli, J. Randy

  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

  Thank you for buying this ebook, published by Hachette Digital.

  To receive special offers, bonus content, and news about our latest ebooks and apps, sign up for our newsletters.

  Sign Up

  Or visit us at hachettebookgroup.com/newsletters

  For more about this book and author, visit Bookish.com.

  * 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.

  All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  Grand Central Publishing

  Hachette Book Group

  237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017

  hachettebookgroup.com

  twitter.com/grandcentralpub

  First ebook edition: April 2014

  Grand Central Publishing is a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  The Grand Central Publishing name and logo is a trademark of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  The Hachette Speakers Bureau provides a wide range of authors for speaking events. To find out more, go to www.hachettespeakersbureau.com or call (866) 376-6591.

  The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.

  ISBN 978-1-4555-8236-5

  E3

 

 

 
rayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share