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Happy Rockefeller
Happy Rockefeller
Happy Rockefeller
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Margaretta Large "Happy" Rockefeller (née Fitler, formerly Murphy; June 9, 1926 – May 19, 2015) was a philanthropist who, as the wife of the 41st vice president of the United States, Nelson Rockefeller, served as second lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. She was previously the first lady of New York from 1963 to 1973, during her husband's last three terms in office.[1]

Key Information

In 1991, she was appointed a public delegate to the United Nations by US President George H. W. Bush.[2][3] She also was president of the board of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center north of Albany, New York,[2][3] among other philanthropic projects.[3]

Family and education

[edit]

Margaretta Large Fitler was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, in 1926.[4][5] Her parents were Margaretta Large Harrison and William Wonderly Fitler Jr., an heir to a cordage fortune. Her mother would subsequently remarry. The younger Margaretta was known by her nickname, "Happy", given to her for her childhood disposition. She was a great-granddaughter of Philadelphia mayor Edwin Henry Fitler and a great-great-granddaughter of Union general George Gordon Meade, the commander at the Battle of Gettysburg, and his wife Margaretta Sergeant, daughter of politician John Sergeant.[6]

She graduated from the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania in 1944.[3]

Marriages and career

[edit]

First marriage and volunteering

[edit]

In the later part of World War II, she was a driver in the Women's Volunteer Service.[1]

In 1948 she married James Slater Murphy,[1][3] a virologist associated with the Rockefeller Institute and a close friend of Nelson Rockefeller's. They had four children: James B. Murphy, II, Margaretta Harrison Murphy, Carol Slater Murphy, and Malinda Fitler Murphy (1960–2005).

In 1958, Happy signed up to serve as a volunteer on Nelson Rockefeller's gubernatorial campaign. The following year she became the newly elected governor's private secretary,[1] then resigned from his office staff in 1961. Happy and her husband divorced on April 1, 1963, for reasons The New York Times called "grievous mental anguish" and which her former husband's lawyer classified as "irreconcilable differences".[citation needed]

Second marriage and 1964 presidential campaign

[edit]

She married New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller[3][7] on May 4, 1963, at the home of Laurance S. Rockefeller in Pocantico Hills, New York. Rockefeller was eighteen years her senior and had divorced his first wife, Mary Todhunter Clark, on March 16, 1962. Happy and Nelson Rockefeller went on to have two sons together: Nelson Rockefeller Jr. (born 1964), and Mark Rockefeller (born 1967).

There has been speculation surrounding Malinda Fitler Menotti, the youngest daughter of Happy Rockefeller and James Slater Murphy, with many in the Rockefeller inner circle believing her to be Nelson Rockefeller's daughter. In his diary, Rockefeller close friend Ken Riland used a tone of knowing irony when mentioning Malinda, putting the word stepfather in quotes. Ellen, the wife of Wallace Harrison, the architect and close friend of Nelson Rockefeller, claimed that Malinda's parentage was an open secret among Rockefeller associates.[8]

Nelson Rockefeller first campaigned for president in 1960, during which time he remained governor of New York, and Mary Rockefeller remained first lady of New York.[1] According to The Independent, Happy was pregnant during the 1964 campaign, and made "a fine candidate's wife on the campaign trail."[1] However, political pundits "blamed the marriage for Nelson Rockefeller's failure to secure the 1964 Republican presidential nomination," as at that time, no divorced candidate had secured the US presidency.[3] As the British journalist Lady Jeanne Campbell wrote in the London Evening Standard, when the Murphy-Rockefeller involvement became a subject of media scrutiny after the announcement of Rockefeller's filing for divorce from his first wife and Happy Murphy's resignation from his staff, "Already people are comparing Happy Murphy to the Duchess of Windsor when she was plain Mrs. Simpson."[9] More damaging still was the political fallout for Rockefeller. Echoing the party-wide concerns, an official of the Michigan Republican Party told The New York Times that the couple's potential marriage likely would cost Rockefeller the 1964 presidential nomination. "The rapidity of it all—he gets a divorce, she gets a divorce—and the indication of the break-up of two homes. Our country doesn't like broken homes."[10] Nelson began to drop in the polls and withdrew from the race after losing several primaries, with the election going to Lyndon Johnson after Rockefeller was replaced as the Republican front-runner by Barry Goldwater.[1]

1968 US presidential campaign

[edit]
Happy and Nelson Rockefeller campaigning in Florida, August 1968

In 1968, she accompanied her husband on the campaign trail as he again ran for US president. Women's Wear Daily quoted Norman Norell, whose clothes she wore on the campaign trail, as stating "she has that good family, Ivy League look. She will always look right — never gussied up, never silly. She is not interested in excitement for excitement's sake." She also wore designs by Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Chanel, Grès, Dior, Valentino and Donald Brooks.[11] WWD also noted that she was "known for relaxed charm" and frankness, with the latter to such a point that his 1968 campaign had an internal rule that she was not to be quoted directly.[11] Rockefeller lost the campaign, with Richard Nixon taking the White House.[1]

According to Richard Norton Smith, Nelson's biographer, Happy's "quiet advocacy, first with her husband" and then with New York State Senate president Earl Brydges helped bring about the 1970 repeal of New York's abortion ban.[2]

First Lady of New York

[edit]

Her husband was reelected governor of New York two more times after they married.[11] Rockefeller stepped down as governor of New York in December 1973, three years into his fourth term.[1][12]

After discovering tumors in a self-inspection, she underwent surgery on October 17, 1974, in an operation that was described in a news conference by her doctor, Jerome Urban of Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases, and her husband. Both President Ford and Henry Kissinger, then Secretary of State, phoned the families with best wishes after the announcement. The operation was reported on in detail by publications such as The New York Times.[13] According to WWD, the combination of Happy Rockefeller and Betty Ford, as well as Shirley Temple, coming public about their cancer treatments helped raise awareness of a disease that had been extremely stigmatized.[11]

Second Lady of the United States

[edit]

After the Watergate scandal in 1974, Gerald Ford named Nelson Rockefeller to serve as his vice president.[3] She became the Second Lady of the United States when her husband became the vice president of Gerald Ford.[11] For the term, the couple moved to Washington, D.C., where they entertained in the vice president's mansion, but lived in their own house.[11] Over the years, the couple also maintained residences in Seal Harbor, Maine, Venezuela, and Manhattan, where they had an apartment[11] on Fifth Avenue designed by Jean-Michel Frank.[14] They also lived at the 3,000-acred family estate in Pocantico Hills, New York,[11] named Kykuit.[2]

Her husband died in January 1979, two years after having left the vice presidency.[1] She continued to entertain at 812 Fifth Avenue and at the Rockefeller estate, the Japanese House.[2] In 1982, Happy Rockefeller hosted an event at her Fifth Avenue apartment for Henry Kissinger, celebrating the publication of the second volume of his memoirs. At the time, Happy said she and Kissinger had been friends since around 1962.[15]

In 1985, she lent a tapestry of Picasso's anti-war themed Guernica to the UN, and after a year of cleaning and preservation, it hangs again since 2022 outside the Security Council chambers.[16] In 1991, she was appointed a public delegate to the United Nations by US President George H.W. Bush. She also became president of the board of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center at north Albany, New York.[2][3] She supported the Philadelphia Orchestra's annual visits to China and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park in New York City, the Central Park Conservancy, and Historic Hudson Valley.[3]

Her residence in Pocantico Hills, Kykuit, was given to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and in 1994 was opened to the public.[11] Afterward, she moved into the Japanese House estate.[2]

Health and death

[edit]

Rockefeller was a breast cancer survivor, having undergone a double mastectomy in 1974, two weeks after Betty Ford, then First Lady of the United States, underwent a single mastectomy.[17]

Happy Rockefeller died on May 19, 2015, at the age of 88, following a short illness.[5] She died at her home in Tarrytown, New York, in her sleep.[3] She was survived by six children.[7]

Art collection

[edit]

As of 1982, Nelson Rockefeller had donated a large part of the couple's painting collection to the Museum of Modern Art, knowing the estate would be heavily taxed. Their apartment was filled with replicas of many of the donated paintings.[15] However, while much of their collection of items was donated to museums, Happy held on to pieces such as art objects and jewelry.[2] In 2018, a large collection of Happy and Nelson Rockefeller's belongings was auctioned at Sotheby's in three sales of around 450 items, with total proceeds expected to exceed $6.1 million. The sale included a selection of Happy's jewelry including a custom collection by Van Cleef & Arpels.[18] The auction also included items from their Fifth Avenue apartment.[14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Happy Rockefeller

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Margaretta Large "Happy" Fitler Rockefeller (June 9, 1926 – May 19, 2015) was an American socialite who served as of the from 1974 to 1977 during her husband Nelson Rockefeller's vice presidency under . Born into a wealthy family and earning her nickname from a cheerful childhood disposition, she previously acted as of New York from 1963 to 1973 while Nelson served four terms as governor. Her 1963 marriage to Nelson, occurring mere months after both secured divorces from prior spouses—hers to physician , with whom she had four children—ignited a national scandal that alienated conservative voters and derailed his bid for the 1964 Republican presidential nomination against . Despite the backlash, the union endured until Nelson's death in 1979, during which she supported his political endeavors and engaged in philanthropy, including advocacy for environmental causes and the arts.

Early Life

Family Background and Childhood

Margaretta Large Fitler, known from childhood as "Happy" due to her cheerful disposition, was born on June 9, 1926, in . She was the daughter of William Wonderly Fitler Jr., an heir to a substantial fortune from the family's cordage manufacturing business who had inherited approximately $8 million, and Margaretta Large Harrison. The Fitler family was prominent in Philadelphia's Main Line society, with roots in the city's elite; her great-grandfather, Henry Fitler, had served as from 1887 to 1891. The Fitlers' wealth stemmed from industrial enterprises, including and production, which positioned the family among Philadelphia's affluent establishment. Her father, however, struggled with , which marked aspects of her early family life. Fitler Jr. died on May 30, 1947, at age 46, from causes not publicly detailed beyond his passing in , when Happy was 20 years old; her mother subsequently remarried. She had at least one , a brother named William Wonderly Fitler III (1924–2004). Raised in the privileged environs of Philadelphia's Main Line, Happy spent summers in Seal Harbor, Maine, and attended , a private institution in , where her yearbook highlighted her "bright smile and perpetual good humor." The family's social connections extended to influential circles, including ties to Princeton University's founding lineage through descent from Jonathan Dickinson. Her upbringing emphasized the decorum and activities of , fostering the poised demeanor that later characterized her public life.

Education and Early Influences

Margaretta Large Fitler was born on June 9, 1926, in , into a wealthy family; her father was an heir to a maritime rope fortune, and she was raised in privilege on the city's Main Line. She was a descendant of Union General George Gordon Meade, which she later cited with pride as part of her heritage. From an early age, her cheerful disposition earned her the lifelong nickname "Happy," a trait noted in her family background and reflected in descriptions of her as outgoing and sunny. Fitler attended , a private institution in Bryn Mawr, where she was a popular but academically indifferent student, graduating in 1944. Her school yearbook highlighted her vivacious personality, reinforcing the origins of her rooted in childhood . She pursued no higher formal education, instead entering volunteer service amid as a driver for the Women's Voluntary Services in , an early indicator of her inclination toward civic duties. This wartime role, involving hospital support and transportation, exposed her to community needs and foreshadowed later public engagements, shaped by her family's elite social milieu rather than structured academic pursuits.

Marriages and Family

First Marriage to James Slater Murphy

Margaretta Large Fitler, known as "Happy," married Dr. James Slater Murphy, a virologist and researcher at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, on December 11, 1948, in , . Murphy, born June 2, 1921, had graduated from in 1945 and served as a captain in the during before joining the institute as an assistant to Nobel laureate John H. Northrop. His father, James Bumgardner Murphy, directed at the institute for nearly 40 years. The couple had four children: James B. Murphy II, Margaretta Harrison Murphy, Carol Slater Murphy, and Malinda Fitler Murphy (born circa 1960). They resided primarily in New York, where Murphy advanced to in the of virologist and pursued research on viruses. Fitler Murphy, continuing her pre-marital volunteer efforts, worked at a New York hospital through the Women's Volunteer Service, reflecting her background in . The Murphys maintained social ties to elite circles, including connections to the through Murphy's professional affiliations and friendships. The marriage endured for over 14 years until its dissolution in 1963.

Divorce, Remarriage to Nelson Rockefeller, and Family Integration

Margaretta "Happy" Murphy obtained a from her first husband, Dr. James Slater Murphy, on April 1, 1963, in , citing "grievous mental anguish" as grounds; to secure the uncontested , she relinquished custody of their four young children—James B. Murphy II (born 1947), Margaretta Harrison Murphy (born 1949), Malia Murphy (born 1951), and Robert Slater Murphy (born 1955)—who remained with their father in New York. In the ensuing months, Happy attempted to regain custody through legal action in New York, but on October 1, 1964, Justice Joseph F. Gagliardi ruled against her, affirming Dr. Murphy's fitness as a and maintaining the children's placement with him, a decision that underscored the personal costs of her marital transition. Just 33 days after her , on May 4, 1963, Happy married Nelson A. Rockefeller, the , in a private ceremony at Rockenfeller's country estate in Pocantico Hills; Nelson had himself divorced his first wife, Mary Todhunter Clark Rockefeller, on March 16, 1962, after 32 years of marriage and five children together—sons Rodman (born 1932), Steven (born 1936), and Michael (born 1938), and daughters Ann (born 1925) and Mary (born 1936). The union, between a 54-year-old prominent Republican politician and the 36-year-old divorcée who had served as his family's recreational aide, immediately drew widespread media scrutiny and public outrage, particularly among conservative voters who viewed the rapid remarriages as morally lax. The blending of families proved challenging amid the controversy, as Happy's children resided primarily with their father, limiting her direct involvement, while she assumed the role of to Nelson's five adult or near-adult offspring, who had been raised in the Rockefeller tradition of and ; the couple later welcomed two sons of their own—Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller Jr. (born June 18, 1964) and Mark Fitler Rockefeller (born 1967)—further expanding the household at their Albany residence and Pocantico Hills estate. Despite the custody setbacks with her first family, Happy integrated into Nelson's familial and social circle, supporting his political endeavors while maintaining relationships with her children over time, though the initial scandal lingered as a point of familial strain.

Public Roles and Political Involvement

Support in Nelson Rockefeller's Presidential Campaigns

Happy Rockefeller provided visible support for her husband 's unsuccessful bids for the Republican presidential nomination in 1964 and 1968, primarily by accompanying him on the campaign trail and appearing at public events alongside him. In 1964, despite intense media scrutiny over their May 1963 marriage, she gamely managed the publicity while actively participating in campaign activities, including joint appearances with Nelson as he challenged in primaries such as , , , , and . Her pregnancy during the campaign added to the personal challenges, as she gave birth to their son, Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller Jr., on the weekend immediately preceding the decisive California primary on June 2, 1964, an event that campaign aides viewed as potentially boosting his image among family-oriented voters. In the 1968 Republican primaries, Happy continued her supportive role after Nelson entered the race on April 30, 1968, following a late decision amid the turmoil after Lyndon B. Johnson's withdrawal from the Democratic contest. She joined him on the campaign trail as he sought to position himself as a moderate alternative to , though his delayed entry and the party's conservative shift limited their impact, with Nelson securing no primary victories before withdrawing in late August. Her presence helped humanize Nelson's campaign, drawing on her background in his earlier gubernatorial efforts where she had volunteered and served as a secretary, but her contributions remained centered on spousal companionship rather than independent political advocacy.

First Lady of New York

Happy Rockefeller assumed the role of First Lady of New York following her to Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller on May 4, 1963, succeeding his first wife, Mary Todhunter Rockefeller, who had held the position since his inauguration on January 1, 1959. She served until December 18, 1973, coinciding with her husband's final term and resignation to assume the vice presidency under President . During this period, marked by the couple's high-profile and remarriage amid public controversy, Happy Rockefeller maintained a low-key yet supportive presence, focusing on hosting official events and family integration rather than launching signature policy initiatives. In Albany, she hosted breakfasts for legislative leaders and key lawmakers during sessions, using these gatherings to build rapport and display a sharp wit that endeared her to political insiders. She accompanied the governor on statewide travels, where observers noted her gracious demeanor, often countering early perceptions shaped by the marriage . The couple welcomed a son, Nelson A. Rockefeller Jr., in 1967, followed by another son, Mark Fitler , later that year, blending her four children from her prior marriage with the governor's existing family of seven. Rockefeller also engaged in cultural advocacy, aligning with her husband's emphasis on arts development in New York. In 1971, she became chairman of the board of the (SPAC) near Albany, supporting its expansion as a venue for , orchestra, and popular music performances; the contributed 40% of the costs for its amphitheater construction during this era. Her involvement reflected the family's broader patronage of institutions like the New York State Theater at , though she remained described by contemporaries as reserved in the public eye compared to more activist first spouses.

Second Lady of the United States

Margaretta "Happy" Rockefeller served as of the from December 19, 1974, to January 20, 1977, during her husband Nelson Rockefeller's tenure as the 41st under . In this unofficial role, she fulfilled traditional expectations for spouses of the by hosting social events, accompanying her husband on official engagements, and representing the administration at public functions, though the position lacked formal duties or staff compared to the . Her time in the role was markedly shaped by a personal health crisis: in early October 1974, shortly after Nelson's vice presidential nomination, Happy discovered a lump in her left breast and underwent a modified on October 17 at New York Hospital, followed by a second for in the right breast. The surgeries occurred amid her husband's Senate confirmation hearings, with Nelson publicly disclosing the diagnoses to counter rumors and emphasize her recovery. This openness, paralleling Betty Ford's similar announcement two weeks earlier, contributed to reducing stigma around discussions and early detection, as both women advocated for and candid health conversations in high-profile settings. Publicly, Happy maintained an elegant presence, favoring designers such as , , , and Norman Norell for and diplomatic events, which aligned with her background in and . She continued supporting causes like and environmental conservation from her New York governorship days, but her vice presidential period emphasized advocacy, including promoting research through personal testimony rather than organized initiatives. No major roles or independent projects were undertaken, reflecting the era's limited scope for Second Ladies.

Controversies and Criticisms

The 1963 Marriage Scandal

![Republican presidential primary candidate New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, left, with his wife during campaign beach party.jpg][float-right] Margaretta "Happy" Fitler obtained a from her husband, Dr. James Slater , on April 1, 1963, in , citing mental cruelty; the couple, married since 1949, had four young children, to whom surrendered legal custody as a condition of the settlement. Dr. , a virologist and longtime associate of the , received full custody, a decision that drew attention given the era's norms favoring maternal custody. Nelson A. Rockefeller had divorced his first wife, Mary Todhunter Clark Rockefeller, on March 16, 1962, in , after 31 years of marriage (since June 23, 1930) and five children; the was granted on grounds of extreme mental cruelty following an amicable separation announced in 1961. Less than 14 months later, on May 4, 1963, Rockefeller, then 55 and in his second term as New York governor, married the 36-year-old Murphy at the Pocantico Hills estate of his brother Laurance S. Rockefeller; the ceremony, officiated by a pastor later censured by his denomination as a "disturber of the peace," symbolized the union amid widespread perceptions of an extramarital affair. The rapid sequence of divorces and remarriage ignited a national , particularly resonant in the conservative social climate of the early , where among elites—let alone politicians—remained stigmatized; Rockefeller's action was viewed by many as a breach of traditional , alienating conservative Republicans and evangelicals who prioritized marital fidelity. Public outrage manifested in protests, such as pickets at Rockefeller's Albany office decrying "," and media coverage amplified the controversy, framing it as a moral failing that disqualified him from higher office. Politically, the scandal derailed Rockefeller's presidential ambitions; his 1964 Republican primary bid against suffered as conservative voters cited the marriage as evidence of liberal personal mores incompatible with national leadership, contributing to his loss in key states and solidifying Goldwater's nomination. Observers, including biographers, attributed the episode's enduring impact to its timing amid cultural shifts, though Rockefeller himself later quipped that personal choices repeatedly thwarted his White House aspirations.

Political Repercussions and Ideological Clashes

The rapid sequence of divorces and remarriage in 1963—Nelson Rockefeller's divorce finalized on March 25, 1962, Happy's on April 1, 1963, followed by their wedding on May 4—provoked widespread condemnation from religious and conservative leaders, who decried it as a violation of traditional and cited potential harm to Happy's four young children from her first marriage. This backlash eroded Nelson's standing among Republican primary voters, transforming him from a perceived frontrunner for the 1964 nomination into a figure alienated by the party's right wing, culminating in his decisive loss to at the on July 15, 1964, where delegates booed his civil rights speech. Conservative critics framed the marriage as emblematic of moral laxity, amplifying preexisting ideological rifts between Rockefeller-style moderates, who favored pragmatic governance on social issues, and fusionist conservatives, who prioritized strict adherence to traditional norms and . The scandal's timing, amid "" campaign emphasizing moral clarity, deepened party fractures, with some analysts attributing a 17-point drop in Nelson's pre-scandal polling lead directly to public revulsion over the personal upheaval. Happy Rockefeller's outspoken support for , including access, further exacerbated tensions with the GOP's ascendant social conservatives, who viewed such positions as antithetical to party orthodoxy. Her alignment with progressive causes aligned with Nelson's administration, which enacted New York's liberalized on April 11, 1970—allowing procedures on demand up to 24 weeks—crediting advocacy from women's groups she backed, a move that preceded by three years and drew fire from pro-life factions within the party. This stance, coupled with her public persona as a modern, independent figure, underscored the Rockefellers' embodiment of "liberal Republicanism," which conservatives like later derided as compromising core principles, contributing to the marginalization of moderate voices by the 1970s.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Breast Cancer Awareness and Personal Health Battle

In October 1974, shortly after First Lady publicly disclosed her own diagnosis, Margaretta "Happy" Rockefeller, then 48 years old, performed a self-examination and detected a small nodule in her left breast. This prompted her to undergo a modified on October 17, 1974, at New York Hospital, in which surgeons removed her left breast and nearby lymph nodes while preserving portions of the chest muscles. Pathological examination confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma confined to the breast tissue, with no evidence of spread to the lymph nodes or distant sites. Rockefeller's willingness to share details of her and , alongside Ford's transparency, contributed to shifting public perceptions of from a taboo subject to one amenable to open discussion and early intervention. Their contemporaneous experiences encouraged greater emphasis on self-examinations and screening among women, fostering a cultural environment that reduced stigma and promoted proactive health measures. Rockefeller later underwent a prophylactic of her right breast to mitigate recurrence risk, reflecting the era's conservative surgical approaches before widespread adoption of less invasive options. Throughout her life, Rockefeller emerged as a dedicated advocate for , leveraging her platform to support research funding and patient education initiatives. She credited Ford's candor with saving her life by prompting vigilance, and together their stories underscored the value of public disclosure in advancing preventive care and destigmatizing the disease. Rockefeller remained cancer-free for decades following her initial treatment, passing away in 2015 at age 88 from complications unrelated to .

Contributions to Arts, Environment, and Other Causes

Happy Rockefeller served as chairman of the board of the , a prominent venue for , , and performances in , beginning in 1971. In this leadership role, she oversaw operations and fundraising for the institution, which hosts the 's annual summer season and the , contributing to the promotion of classical in the region. Her involvement extended the Rockefeller family's longstanding patronage of cultural institutions, emphasizing accessibility to high-caliber arts programming. Beyond , Rockefeller supported historical and educational initiatives, including the Library and Museum in , aligning with her philanthropic efforts to preserve American heritage sites. She maintained an active schedule of philanthropy following her tenure as , focusing on cultural preservation and community causes, though specific environmental advocacy was not a documented centerpiece of her personal contributions, unlike certain relatives such as .

Art Collection and Cultural Patronage

Development and Key Pieces

Nelson Rockefeller's engagement with art began in the 1930s, influenced by his family's philanthropic legacy and his own roles at institutions like the , where he served as president from 1935 to 1940 and later as chairman. His collection emphasized modern and contemporary works, alongside , furniture, and , reflecting a blend of progressive tastes and traditional connoisseurship. Following his 1963 marriage to Margaretta "Happy" Murphy, the collection expanded through their shared acquisitions, incorporating pieces that complemented their residences, such as the apartment and Pocantico Hills estate. Happy Rockefeller played a role post-Nelson's 1979 death, retaining select masterpieces and decorative items while donating others to museums, thereby preserving the collection's integrity amid estate dispersals. 2018 auction of "Property from the Collection of Nelson and Happy Rockefeller" highlighted this evolution, offering over 200 lots spanning , European furniture, Chinese export porcelain, and ceramics, which underscored their joint curation of opulent, eclectic interiors. The couple's approach prioritized quality and historical significance, avoiding speculative trends in favor of works with proven aesthetic and cultural value. Key pieces included Pablo Picasso's Pitcher and Bowl of Fruit (1931), a Cubist displayed in their home alongside Wilhelm Lehmbruck's torso , exemplifying their modern holdings. Alberto Giacometti's pair of bronze andirons (circa 1939) represented their interest in Surrealist design for functional art. The 18th-century Meissen "Swan" service, comprising 16 dinner pieces, and various Chinese export ceramics highlighted their passion for , continuing a tradition of collecting refined European and Asian . These selections, auctioned for millions, affirmed the collection's market and historical caliber without reliance on hype-driven valuations.

Influence on Public Institutions

The joint art collection of Nelson and Happy Rockefeller significantly shaped public institutions by providing foundational works that expanded museum departments and elevated the status of non-Western and . In May 1969, the holdings of the Museum of Primitive Art—approximately 400 pieces of indigenous art from , , and the , acquired largely under Nelson's direction but during their marriage—were donated to the , establishing the basis for its Michael C. Rockefeller Wing and the Department of of , , and the . This transfer, valued in the millions, professionalized the study and exhibition of such artifacts in a major public venue, influencing curatorial practices and public appreciation of global . Following Nelson's death on January 26, 1979, the estate bequeathed selections from their collection exceeding $13 million in value, including 27 key works such as modern masterpieces and primitive sculptures, to the and the ; these gifts directly augmented permanent collections and supported acquisitions, ensuring broader public access to elite holdings previously private. Happy, as surviving spouse, retained personal selections while facilitating the dispersal, which preserved the collection's legacy in institutional contexts rather than private dissipation. Happy Rockefeller further extended this influence through targeted loans and governance roles. In 1985, she loaned a monumental tapestry reproduction of Pablo Picasso's (woven in 1955 after the 1937 original) to the , where it has been permanently displayed outside the Security Council chamber, fostering and public engagement with anti-war iconography in a global institutional setting. Her trusteeship at Sleepy Hollow Restorations (now ) by the mid-1970s involved oversight of historic properties housing and artifacts, while her presidency of the board advanced interdisciplinary cultural programming, bridging visual arts patronage with live performance venues. These efforts underscored a pragmatic extension of Rockefeller into accessible public spheres.

Later Life and Death

Activities After Nelson's Death

Following Nelson Rockefeller's death on January 26, 1979, Happy Rockefeller maintained an active social presence, continuing to host events at the couple's residence at 812 . She later relocated to on the Pocantico Hills estate after the main property was donated to the in 1991 and subsequently opened for public tours. Rockefeller sustained involvement in cultural institutions, serving as president of the board of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, where she had previously held leadership roles. In 1985, she arranged for the Picasso Guernica tapestry from the Rockefeller collection to be lent to the United Nations, where it remains on display outside the Security Council chamber. Additionally, in 1991, President George H.W. Bush appointed her as a public delegate to the United Nations General Assembly, reflecting her ongoing public service commitments. In her personal life, Rockefeller focused on family matters, spending time with her son from her first marriage, stepchildren from her union with Nelson, and extended Rockefeller relatives while residing in Tarrytown, New York. She upheld the family's tradition of philanthropic engagement, though her efforts increasingly centered on private stewardship of legacy causes amid her advancing age.

Final Years, Illness, and Passing

In her final years, Rockefeller resided primarily at her home in , maintaining a low public profile while overseeing family interests and reflecting on a life marked by political adjacency, , and personal resilience. She had outlived her husband Nelson A. Rockefeller, who died in 1979 at age 70 from a heart attack, by over three decades, during which she navigated the enduring legacy of the name amid shifting family dynamics. No major public health disclosures emerged in this period beyond her well-documented survival of decades earlier, which had involved a double mastectomy in 1974. Rockefeller died on May 19, 2015, at the age of 88, after a brief illness. According to a family statement, she passed peacefully in her sleep at her Tarrytown residence, with no further details released on the nature of the illness. Her death was confirmed by multiple outlets citing the family's announcement, underscoring a private conclusion to a life often thrust into the spotlight by association.

References

  1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146722891/happy-rockefeller
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/20/nyregion/happy-rockefeller-whose-marriage-to-governor-scandalized-voters-dies-at-88.html
  3. https://www.nny360.com/news/happy-rockefeller-widow-of-former-vice-president-dies-at-88/article_04b1d8f2-2da4-57ab-bd53-4ab5a5c376fa.html
  4. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/05/happy-nelson-rockefeller-wife-barry-goldwater-gop-racist-118298
  5. https://www.twincities.com/2015/05/18/happy-rockefeller-whose-marriage-to-governor-scandalized-voters-dies/
  6. https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-happy-rockefeller-20150521-story.html
  7. https://kids.kiddle.co/Happy_Rockefeller
  8. https://www.pressherald.com/2015/05/20/happy-rockefeller-widow-of-former-vice-president-dies-at-88/
  9. https://www.geni.com/people/William-Fitler-Jr/6000000032780721177
  10. https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-quiet-strength-of-happy-rockefeller
  11. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14118091/william_wonderly-fitler
  12. https://gw.geneanet.org/tdowling?lang=en&n=fitler&p=margaretta
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/1974/10/18/archives/the-public-and-private-happy-rockefeller-an-early-trauma.html
  14. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11618492/Margaretta-Happy-Rockefeller-obituary.html
  15. https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/birmingham/name/margaretta-rockefeller-obituary?pid=174901086
  16. https://www.nytimes.com/1963/05/05/archives/nickname-happy-wellfitted-to-cheerful-mrs-rockefeller-governors.html
  17. https://time.com/archive/6626365/new-york-divorce-in-idaho/
  18. https://www.imago-images.com/st/0081284549
  19. https://www.geni.com/people/Dr-James-Murphy-MD/6000000137603972833
  20. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58717752/james_slater-murphy
  21. https://time.com/archive/6872637/the-family-a-question-of-custody/
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/02/archives/mrs-rockefeller-loses-suit-over-four-children-judge-finds-dr-murphy.html
  23. https://www.biography.com/political-figures/nelson-rockefeller
  24. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Margaretta-Happy-Rockefeller-wife-of-former-6275868.php
  25. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/rockefellers/
  26. https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2014/12/18/prodigal-fall-nelson-rockefeller/
  27. https://blog.oup.com/2016/04/rockefeller-1968-presidential-race/
  28. https://www.ebay.com/itm/405637306779
  29. https://rockarch.org/resources/about-the-rockefellers/nelson-a-rockefeller/
  30. https://www.nga.org/governor/nelson-aldrich-rockefeller/
  31. https://www.nytimes.com/1974/08/21/archives/mrs-rockefeller-shy-in-spotlight-the-image-is-vague-the-scandal-of.html
  32. https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/rockefeller-margaretta-happy-b-1926
  33. https://wwd.com/eye/people/feature/happy-rockefeller-obituary-10132493/
  34. https://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-local/article/SPAC-at-50-From-the-Geysers-to-gusher-of-music-8343639.php
  35. https://www.nytimes.com/1974/10/18/archives/wife-of-rockefeller-has-breastcancer-operation-mrs-rockefeller-has.html
  36. https://drbarronlerner.com/not-so-simple-the-breast-cancer-stories-of-betty-ford-and-happy-rockefeller/
  37. https://cancerhistoryproject.com/article/how-betty-ford-and-nancy-regans-breast-cancer-diagnoses-changed-cancer-care/
  38. https://www.nytimes.com/1962/03/17/archives/mrs-rockefeller-receives-divorce-2-sons-with-her-law-silent-on-name.html
  39. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/22/nyregion/mary-c-rockefeller-governor-s-former-wife-dead-at-91.html
  40. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-20/-happy-rockefeller-widow-of-former-vice-president-dies-at-88
  41. https://time.com/archive/6625013/new-york-on-the-rocks/
  42. https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1073&context=graduatetheses
  43. https://hughhewitt.com/talking-rocky-ted-cruz-richard-norton-smith
  44. https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/12/archives/rockefeller-signing-abortion-bill-credits-womens-groups.html
  45. https://scholarworks.uark.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=plscuht
  46. https://www.nytimes.com/1974/10/25/archives/mrs-rockefeller-leaves-hospital-feeling-great-cancer-found.html
  47. https://time.com/archive/6878195/medicine-breast-cancer-fear-and-facts/
  48. https://www.vumc.org/radiology/old-news-and-events-news-announcements/advocacy-fuels-breast-cancer-advances
  49. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/women-who-changed-the-face-of-breast-cancer/
  50. https://www.tennessean.com/story/life/2015/10/11/advocacy-fuels-breast-cancer-advances/73230428/
  51. https://nypost.com/2015/05/21/happy-rockefeller-widow-of-former-vice-president-dies/
  52. https://thehudsonindependent.com/margeretta-happy-rockefeller-88/
  53. https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/from-moma-to-washington-how-nelson-rockefeller-redefined-the-role-of-the-art-patron-politician-for-the-20th-century
  54. https://www.barrons.com/articles/sothebys-offers-nelson-and-happy-rockefellers-collection-1537982005
  55. https://rockefeller.dartmouth.edu/about-center/history-center/outside-lines-nelson-rockefeller-politician-and-patron-arts
  56. https://www.sothebys.com/en/slideshows/property-from-the-collection-of-nelson-and-happy-rockefeller
  57. https://www.sothebys.com/en/videos/nelson-and-happy-rockefellers-passion-for-porcelain
  58. https://resource.rockarch.org/story/nelson-rockefeller-museum-of-primitive-art-redefining-indigenous-art/
  59. https://www.metmuseum.org/research-centers/leonard-a-lauder-research-center/research-resources/modern-art-index-project/rockefeller
  60. https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/10/archives/2-museums-are-given-13-million-in-art-27-works-are-in-bequest-new.html
  61. https://www.un.org/ungifts/guernica-tapestry-after-guernica-pablo-picasso
  62. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/happy-rockefeller-dies-widow-of-former-vice-president-nelson-rockefeller/2015/05/20/6cf08e92-ff05-11e4-805c-c3f407e5a9e9_story.html
  63. https://apnews.com/united-states-government-general-news-bd1933e74b724ba6a3a5966a384962e7
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