Hearst, Millicent (1882–1974)
Hearst, Millicent (1882–1974)
American socialite. Name variations: Millicent Willson; Mrs. William Randolph Hearst. Born 1882; died at home in New York, NY, Dec 1974; dau. of George H. Willson (popular vaudeville performer); younger sister of dancer Anita Willson; m. William Randolph Hearst (newspaper publisher), April 28, 1903; children: 5 sons, including George Hearst, John Randolph Hearst, and twins Elbert Willson Hearst and Randolph Apperson Hearst (b. 1915); grandmother of Patricia Campbell Hearst.
At 16, met William Randolph Hearst while dancing with sister in The Girl from Paris at Herald Square Theater; when husband publicly pursued another chorine, Marion Davies, continued to hold head high; was a devoted war worker during WWI, heading women's division of Mayor's Committee on National Defense in NY; even though she would not grant husband a divorce, remained on friendly terms with him.
See also Women in World History.