Edith Bouvier Beale “Little Edie” was an American icon who was the focus of the cult classic documentary “Grey Gardens” a 1975 documentary made by Albert and David Maysles for which she and her mother where the focus living as they were in a dilapidated house with over 40 cats.

Grey Gardens refers to the estate in East Hampton NY. Edie was a cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lee Bouvier Radziwill. She was a model, actress, singer but suffered severely from alopecia. She loved children and animals.

In 1952 she returned home to live with her mom in a very codependent and strange existence hence why the movie was such a big hit.  Little Edie’s style in the film is iconic and she is fondly remembered for her singing and her head scarfs. The documentary was so successful it has also been turned into a Broadway musical and movie featuring Drew Barrymore as Little Edie.

I grew up three houses down from this iconic house and knew Little Edie as the crazy smelly head scarf lady with the raccoon living in her attic. My grandmother even rescued one of the many numerous cats.

This photo captures a moment time right before Little Edie sold Grey Gardens in 1979.

I was one years old!