Bunny Mellon: The Ultimate "Old Money" Wife

[@TomMcHugh-l4v]

Imagine being so rich that your art collection became the foundation of the National Gallery of Art. True cheese 🧀 🖼 🔥 💰

[@jammasterjay4298]

They only gave art for tax benefits

[@SnowWhite717_]

I had heard of Paul Mellon but not Bunny. She sounds like she was an extraordinary lady who didn’t fritter away her education or money. She solidly invested in her family, education and the education of others, her many real estate, art and equestrian sales and purchases and so many others! I know the Mellon Foundation is still active now and I’m sure her & her husband’s legacy will continue to help others for many years to come ❤

[@classicalaid1]

Having attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, I am forever grateful for this family's altruistic aspirations.

[@lawriefoster5587]

Bravo!!

[@caroleknoles3205]

My son also was privileged to spend a year at Carnegie Mellon before being offered a teaching position that he could not turn down and finishing his masters at the University of North Carolina.

[@teresaboullemet2709]

I learned about Buuny Mellon while reading biographies about Jackie Kennedy Onassis. I then bought and read, Bunny Mellon, The Life of an American Style Legend and Garden Secrets of Bunny Mellon. Enjoyed the reads, she was a very interesting, intelligent and talented lady.

[@soniahagenberger5837]

I moved to Alexandria, VA in 1987, my first museum was NGA. I have been enriched in every way by the generosity of The Mellon Family. I knew about Andrew and Paul Mellon but not Bunny. It was eye opening. Thank you.

[@knitwit014]

I've been to Oak Springs many times. The gardens are beautiful. The artwork exquisite.

[@Izzymohammed1]

A truly class act of a lady. I also listened to her husband Paul Mellon. Narration called “In his words”. I fell in love with his story telling. Eloquent and fascinating. Look it up folks. It’s well worth it. What an amazing life. May they rest in peace🙏❤️🙏

[@iuventianusiuventianus9504]

Bunny Mellon was also one of Cristobal Balenciaga's best customers: part of her magnificent wardrobe can be seen in the Balenciaga Museum in Northern Spain.

[@paulathepoodlelover]

And to think that Melania had the Rose Garden that Bunny Mellon designed with Jackie Kennedy and the East Garden which Bunny Mellon designed with Lady Bird Johnson all chopped down and pulled out; only to be replaced with ... nothing impressive at all. A very sad loss for the American peaople who actually owned those beautiful historic gardens.

[@carolyndavison6095]

I wasn’t aware of Melania Trump’s removal of the rose garden. What a senseless tragedy and what on earth was she thinking?. Just emphasizes some people’s taste is only in their mouths. What a loss!!

[@sharksport01]

Melania restored the rose garden to Bunny Mellons original design. Stick with your poodles.

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@sharksport01 No, Melania had the historic crab apple trees chopped down and re-did and ruined the original design.

[@leonply]

@@sharksport01 That's not factual history. The First Call Girl of the United States of America (Melania), utterly destroyed the world-famous design of the Rose Garden, transforming it into a wasteland, filled with nothing except bad taste. The sense of tranquility, the place of Presidential Pomp, Serenity and Elegance, was completely wiped out. Aren't facts fun?

[@leonply]

@@sharksport01 Melania did not restore the Rose Garden to the original layout, which was designed by Bunny Mellon. Historical fact proves this. Melania managed to rip out the iconic garden, replacing it with plantings as vulgar as the vampire Christmas trees, with which she desecrated the White House.

[@lolainma3218]

No mention of Bunny’s Cape Cod home, in Osterville? I have a book, titled Bunny Mellon. She was a very interesting and talented woman.

[@theKirkman]

Great history of a great woman, however a few add ons - the auction was held after her death on November 10, 20-23 in 2014 at Sotheby’s NY & reaped $218,119,169 USD, with a spectacular 9.75ct blue diamond fetching $32,645,000 USD - nearly all went to pay back loans taken out to maintain her life til the end - a great book was penned by Meryl Gordon ‘Bunny Mellon’ that delves deeper - the ‘Kennedy Rose garden’ was modified (destroyed) in 2020 & the spectacular crab apple trees were pulled out - Bunny had incredible taste & gardened in Givenchy couture !

[@brighidbrennan3168]

Do not slur Melania Trump as First Lafy. . She did renovate the Kennedy Rose Garden not only in restoring it and when restoration is called for you have to pruning so speak. Melanie Trump restored the Kennedy Rose Garden

[@Cheezclown]

Melania’s only impact in the White House was tearing out that historic garden… I could say more but it wouldn’t be nice…

[@kuhnemund6523]

@@Cheezclown Can you imagine pulling up crabapple trees and flowers?!!

[@maristarragusa2893]

@@Cheezclown kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6amfWCmbpmlqMksi=L-mfGtR7K_M39RqT

[@maristarragusa2893]

@@brighidbrennan3168You are correct! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6amfWCmbpmlqMksi=L-mfGtR7K_M39RqT

[@Lucian-mg9mw]

I never heard of her until now. It was a great video. Thank you.

[@OldMoneyAllure]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for viewing and commenting, Lucian

[@sherrywallis7718]

How much richer our lives are thanks to the generosity of people like Bunny and paul Mellon. One only hopes that they realized how much they did for those of us who enjoy their donations to museums in the latter days of their lives.

[@bonnieparker9584]

To clarify the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D C was created by Andrew Mellon, father of her second husband during the F Roosevelt Administration in 1936. The younger Melons added art pieces to the collection first donated by his father at the time he provided funding for the Museum as a gift to the United States under the condition it be maintain by the federal government.

[@forgottenthanksgiving]

And to think Melania chopped down Jackie's crabapple trees -- even General Washington would never have done that. At least, not without lying about it.

[@NalaRichenbach]

Who cares. New trees can be put in, along with flowers and whatever else to make it look nice. Each First lady can do what they want with it. I don't care about Jackie's rose garden because a New, better rose garden can be put there at any time. Creating a beautiful rose garden is not rocket science. It just takes patience.

[@forgottenthanksgiving]

@@NalaRichenbach ... My comment wasn't intended to be a referendum on Trump --- whom Melania obviously detests anyway. The rose garden was much colder with Melania's changes.

[@NalaRichenbach]

@@forgottenthanksgiving Who cares about some rose garden. You can buy roses anywhere. You can grow them anywhere. it's not rocket science. You just need a little bit of land and a boat load of money.

[@forgottenthanksgiving]

@@NalaRichenbach .. Frankly, you seem a little defensive.

[@NalaRichenbach]

@@forgottenthanksgiving Well, this rose garden wasn't the golden fleece or anything special. Jackie made a rose garden... big deal. Some other first lady will make something too. It was nothing special. A rose garden is a rose garden.

[@julieuk5855]

Love it. I like that she was private and loved gardening and art.x

[@carlafa3]

I've alway been interesred in Bunny Mellon ever since she created the Rose Garden at the White House. Because of her deep friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis I became even more curious about her life. However I hit a stone wall as this great lady was perhaps even more private then the former First Lady. Anytime an article about her garden or home was written I read it with delight as loving art and gardens had become my religion. Besides her incredible eye, her incredible philanthropy, her incredible gardens and the beautiful homes she created what inspired me most was that she was a self-educated horticulturist and connoisseur of fine art. We put such emphasis on being college educated in this country as well we should but we should never forget how some of the most valuable, important and successful peope in life have been self-educated. There is a great lesson to be learned to not despair as parents and individuals when we don't achieve a formal university education. The secret lays in always encouraging our kids and adults to read, read, read! But as importantly to follow ones bliss. That combination will lead to having the most fulfilling life - and at times contributing in practical and spiritual way to mankind. Like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Bunny Mellon elevated the cultural life in our country while keeping their own counsel. We can truly learn from them and then run with they offered us!

[@catzenhouse]

Check your local library. I read a great bio on her several years ago that I got from my library.

[@annfisher3316]

Then Melania razed the iconic garden. 😢

[@kuhnemund6523]

@@annfisher3316 A clear case of “class” vs “no class.”

[@paulmlemay]

I'm very curious, is the narration in this video a person, or AI? If it's AI it's very good. If it's a human, she's excellent.

[@brianpollard4350]

This beautiful and informative account of one of the country's most talented and capable people ever is most welcome. Thanks very much for the lovely, superlative presentation.

[@jamesstaal8466]

Wow, well done. Breezy yet substantial. I was familiar with the names, but the background was very informative. Concise and full.

[@OldMoneyAllure]

Thanks, James!

[@latricegoodman9769]

I truly enjoyed this video this is the first time I have ever heard of Bunny Mellon so thank you for educating me on this amazing woman. Love the connection to the Kennedy Family.

[@greekre]

have you heard of bunny mcdougal

[@carolking6355]

I’ve always adored Bunny Mellon . Her quiet manner, her brilliant garden talents. I didn’t know of her tragic personal suffering. I believe gardening helped her to live such a long life. I wish I had her strength of mind. Thank you. ❤

[@brober]

Mellon was Jackie Kennedy's bestie. She sought her opinion on all White House renovations. Telling that Jackie's pet name for her husband JFK was "Bunny"

[@stellamaxwell777]

Oh I love Bunny! What a great topic

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing a beautiful women who was really nice in her life.😊

[@cindydavis-anderholt1896]

Yes, on a trip to Bleumont, Virginia, from California, I had the pleasure of getting a personal tour of their Virginia farm back in 1988 by their farm manager, who was friends with General Raymond Latimer, father of my friend , Ted Latimer. Ted's mother, Geraldine, breeded thoroughbred horses. They used some of Paul Melons' stallions. The Latimers were members of the episcopal church, which Mrs Melon was instrumental in and attended.i remember we saw Mr Melon out taking a walk on the farm. I have been a fan of Mrs Melon for decades. Cyndi Lee Davis

[@robertsessa295]

She didn’t make any money she just spent it.

[@NalaRichenbach]

Born rich.

[@becketfranklin5090]

Maybe you didn't watch the whole video? To be a world renowned landscape designer, philanthropist and mother says Hard Worker to me, regardless of how much she was paid.

[@NalaRichenbach]

@@becketfranklin5090 Pay any person that amount of money.. and you'll see more hard workers. If you don't believe me, try paying your employees four times what you pay them now and watch what happens. YOU will see a significant increase in their productivity. Money motivates.

[@RitaBattey-yw8vk]

I was only aware of Bunny because of her association with Jackie Kennedy. I knew the President asked her to work on the Rose Garden outside the Oval Office. I once interestingly that she kept old candy in a jar in her living room that was half melted and stuck together, and it was considered chic! Weird if nothing else! Thank you for this video. I can see her connection to Jackie with their shared love of horses, smart and French culture.

[@brendanorman1128]

An exceptional woman. She also owned a lovely house in New York City on 70th street off Park Avenue. That too had a lovely garden.

[@adelaferreira4575]

What a life of a great woman !

[@michaelgardner-vn6kn]

Excellent biography of an important and very accomplished woman. I enjoyed it very much.

[@aprildoornbos4739]

Those horses were Nijana , champion Lie Low , Snow Knight champion turf horse , Prod, Sir Lister , Fleet Victress and many more

[@NalaRichenbach]

Didn't Paul melon breed and own, Mill Reef, a European champion from the early 1970s?

[@NalaRichenbach]

He owned Arts N Letters too. He owned some great race horses.

[@janicewebber5584]

I knew of her. Only because she was in the same circle as Jackie.

[@susanbrennan5511]

You go girl! Amazing!

[@fiddlersthree8463]

To be an "old money wife" you first and foremost need a silly first name.

[@OldMoneyAllure]

😂

[@tomcole3626]

She was a lovely talented lady.

[@smpeljas]

Hello, yes, I was raised and taught by great people in the Manhattan NYC Art Circles… Classical Art, Modern Art Contemporary Art , Archectire and Landscaping… Ms Bunny Mellon was a person I heard much about. Regarding the Rose Garden, Oscar Nicholson made the “Ellispe” Mr Mark Nicholson worked alongside side me, to create my “Forevermore” by the Bay, Deale, MD about 0.60 acres of Waterfront …Masonry Gardens, Rain Garden and raised berms… we planted Native Trees and Shrubs… Reclusive lifestyle, yes, many books, yes and the movies of the original Gardens Spain, Japan and China, added to my French and Austrian beauties… Walter’s Art Museum Educathe me, and continues to enrich me…Yes, Bunny Mellon was a person I admired greatly, thank you! I’m Nurse Jane …God Bless You!

[@mariahudson3099]

❤loved Bunny

[@aprildoornbos4739]

I rode many of the race horses owned by Paul Mellon around 1975 before Sea Hero won the derby ridden by the great Jerry Bailey

[@NalaRichenbach]

Did you gallop Arts N Letters or Mill Reef? Two of his greatest Champions.

[@collegeri]

That Monet is beyond beautiful.

[@florencecurrie7861]

I was aware. Long admired her and her husband's contribution to Va. Museum, National Gallery of Art.

[@judithryan783]

I enjoy learning more about a passionate gardener, art connoisseur and joyous hippophile

[@NalaRichenbach]

I knew more of her husband, Paul, from the horse racing aspect. I remember when Sea Hero won the Kentucky Derby and I believe she was there with Paul. He had other great horses besides Sea Hero. He was a very prominent horse breeder and owner in the horse racing industry and Bunny was his wife. I read about what happened in later years with John Edwards and felt bad for her. I'm sure she knew nothing about what was going on. She had a wonderful life, with tragedy, but things could have always been worse.

[@therealhellkitty5388]

I wish the rose garden could be restored from the depredations of the tasteless tRumps

[@Sonderleigh]

It's true that the garden designed and planted during the Kennedy administration contained crab apple trees. But the trees removed in the renovation unveiled in August 2020 were not the same trees as the ones originally planted in the garden. And it's not true that the garden contained roses planted by every first lady since 1913. Landscape historian Marta McDowell, author of "All the Presidents' Gardens," told us in a phone interview that the crab apple trees have been replaced three times since the original planting in the 1960s, and the tree type changed from one called Katherine to another called Spring Snow. Although the trees were pretty, McDowell said, they have always been problematic because as they grew they shaded out the roses, and "if you want roses, you can't grow them in the shade." "I'll miss the crab apple trees because they look good in the winter, but that's like saying, 'I like chocolate and you like vanilla,'" McDowell said. In terms of the claim about Trump's removing rose bushes planted by every first lady since 1913, McDowell pointed to a landscape report completed in 2020 by the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, noting that flower plants in the garden have continually been removed and replaced. Is the garden outside your back door the same as it was 60 years ago? That's what people are suggesting," McDowell said, adding, "Roses don't live that long." McDowell also stated that although the idea that current first lady Melania Trump dug up the Rose Garden planted by former first lady Jackie Kennedy made for good internet outrage, that was false framing of the conversation. Melania Trump said that the 2020 renovation "returned the garden to its original 1962 blueprint designed by Bunny Mellon during the Kennedy Administration." Trump also said that the renovation improved utilities, infrastructure, and added a paved path, increasing access to the garden for people with disabilities. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump did not tear out the Rose Garden at the White House. Please consider your liberal sources when making false claims.

[@maristarragusa2893]

@@therealhellkitty5388 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6amfWCmbpmlqMksi=erBqcQpymp83mdaR

[@williamcochran3281]

@@Sonderleigh Thank you

[@maristarragusa2893]

@@therealhellkitty5388 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6amfWCmbpmlqMksi=S0pA0WVb7ohz_0ig

[@kdtennis1]

I know she loved horses and she was an equestrian. She was very close with Jacqueline Onassis. They rode horses together. The family of Rachel Lambert-Bunny ( created Listerine Mouth Wash). Bunny would later,donate Millions of Dollars to the John Edwards Presidential Campaign. Senator Edwards would use some of that money to take care of his mistress ( a camera woman who took videos of him when he was a Presidential Candidate). Bunny died at 104 years old. Caroline Kennedy was in attendance!

[@cryptomojito]

Bunny did😊 it right👍❤️

[@Bdhstl95]

Was curious if the Edward’s donations would be mentioned.

[@judithoconnor6442]

I would have liked her as a friend. A very accomplished woman.

[@mikeference2332]

My connection with the Mellon family was but only accounts at the bank as i lived in Pittsburgh.

[@brighidbrennan3168]

Its not all that of what she did in her lifetime. Just because she had a lot of money and she used it wisely but the very important thing is that with all that it became a personal project to benefit her aesthetic taste. Don't praise her its not necesssy I

[@riff2072]

Nice video. Thank You. Just one thing and I say with all good intentions. At 7:22 we see a young women receiving a medical procedure. It is not needed or fits the video. The was narrative was sufficient.

[@chinawoll2662]

YES I DID, THROUGH SOCIETY NOTES ABOUT HER FRIENDSHIP WITH JACKIE KENNEDY AND HER SPLENDOROUS GARDENS, HORSES, PAINTINGS. IT WAS REPORTED AS A VERY GENEROUS LADY AND EXCELLENT KIND PERSON. CHINA WOLL

[@Jmittle101]

Did she also have an amazing jewelry collection?

[@classicalaid1]

This is an understatement!

[@EricRobinson-d9n]

How did she earn her great wealth?

[@ToddWerner-vp3vc]

Did you not watch the video?

[@williampry70]

She was a woman of the old school way of doing things Unfortunately some of the Mellon of today are evil

[@sheilabloom6735]

It was the wonderful Andrew Mellon who created and built with his own money the National Gallery of Art in DC and donated his paintings. Paul built the West Wing. And the Museum was not named after the Mellons.

[@jlasf]

Thank you for pointing that out. In an era when every donor demands recognition in a museum, the low-key contributions to the NGA by the Mellons becomes even more noteworthy. Andrew Mellon could easily have demanded the museum bear his name, but he didn't. And Paul Mellon followed that example. Paul Mellon demanded the highest level of perfection. While visiting the East Building - not the West Wing - while under construction, Mr. Mellon observed some rough finishes behind the marble cladding. He insisted it be redone, so every inch - seen or unseen - would be perfect.

[@kmarch6630]

How did she get the name Bunny?

[@StevePower-kv6oi]

🎉🎉🎉

[@randywatts6969]

She was well known in her day for Bunny Money

[@GenerousKingATL]

She had real money her townhouse in ues amazing

[@SacredDaily]

🙏🏼

[@charleshamilton9274]

I had always wanted to spend an afternoon potting plants with Bunny Mellon at Oak Spring Garden. Then I remember that ghastly piece-of-shit, Timothy Mellon. Families are complicated, aren’t they?

[@mamaTea1]

Where is she buried?

[@Savoiefair64]

This was fantastic, except for the AI images!

[@RAYMERRENTSCHLER]

He has a name....

[@mommabear5059]

I read that her husband was quite verbally abusive towards her.

[@GoGoWhoa64]

1 billion dollars off peoples bad breath

[@janetcarbone4213]

And then there are the rest of us poor slobs🤷‍♀️. Well at least they liked horses and plants. Art is ok

[@mike.p.1400]

You know Janet. I’m a poor slob too. But why ? Why am I poor ? It’s because of the decisions I’ve made throughout my life. The things I’ve done. And more importantly the things I’ve failed to do. I was born and raised in the United States of America. I could have done anything. But chose to party. I chose to be lazy. The choices we make today will affect us tomorrow.

[@KQDYMagallaz]

she would not have been on real housewives today,

[@jakecavendish3470]

I had dinner with her once and she served us melon followed by rabbit strew. Great sense of humour

[@vanessabrossard6141]

Neither tulips or magnolias are native American . Otherwise, very instuctive. Thanks

[@Gymboyree]

Wish here name was water

[@sophiebean1624]

Are the billionaires still in charge of the cia

[@marty1159]

The Rose Garden she and Jacqueline Kennedy created in the White House, the very one Melania Trump replaced with… nothing but sadness.

[@peterkavanagh64]

Tall person s as he he likes to see

[@Gymboyree]

Who cares

[@roberthopkins3621]

Bunny had a son , she called him jack rabbit

[@cathynewyork7918]

Low-class joke.

[@classicalaid1]

@@cathynewyork7918 Very low and undeserved.

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@classicalaid1 Thank you for your support.

[@markpb4767]

I find it abhorrent how the very rich waste money . Its theirs so ok. But to worship these people is disgusting. We too often do this. No wonder we are so f d up.

[@cathynewyork7918]

These rich people did not waste their money - they gave much of it for great art for the public to enjoy in museums.

[@classicalaid1]

@@cathynewyork7918 Thank you for the comment. Not everyone understands or appreciates altruism.

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@classicalaid1 Thank you for your support on my comment. I do NOT feel that the Mellon wasted their money as the commenter said - they bought great art to share with us, the public, and they may possibly have even saved that art from being lost or destroyed. It is so unfair that the commenter said they were wasting their money when they helped culture for future generations.

[@markpb4767]

She married into the same ultra rich. Another messed up family

[@Insta.grannn]

So much so I have to respond. One great neighbour. Soho denizen. George Dukas.