Basic Information
| Name | Janet Lee Bouvier |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Janet Norton Lee |
| Birth Date | 1907-12-03 |
| Birth Place | Manhattan, New York City |
| Death Date | 1989-07-22 |
| Death Place | Newport, Rhode Island |
| Parents | James T. Lee and Margaret A. Merritt |
| Education | Miss Spence’s School; Sweet Briar College; Barnard College |
| Occupation | Socialite |
| Spouses | John Vernou Bouvier III; Hugh Dudley Auchincloss Jr.; Bingham Willing Morris |
| Children | Jacqueline Lee Bouvier; Caroline Lee Bouvier; Janet Jennings Auchincloss; James Lee Auchincloss |
| Known For | Mother of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lee Radziwill |
Early Life and Social Standing
Janet Norton Lee Bouvier was born on December 3, 1907, in Manhattan, New York City. She descended from James T. Lee, a prominent real estate developer, and Margaret A. Merritt, and grew up alongside sisters Marion (b. 1904) and Margaret (b. 1910). Educated at Miss Spence’s School, she attended Sweet Briar College and Barnard (class of 1929, did not graduate).
Marriages and Offspring
| Spouse | Marriage Years | Children |
|---|---|---|
| John V. Bouvier III | 1928–1940 | Jacqueline Lee (1929–1994), Caroline Lee (1933–2019) |
| Hugh D. Auchincloss Jr. | 1942–1976 | Janet Jennings (1945–1985), James Lee (b. 1947) |
| Bingham W. “Morris” Morris | 1979–1989 | — |
Social Roles and Influence
Janet held board positions with the Newport Historical Society and Redwood Library and served as honorary director of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Association. She guided her daughters with a focus on financial acumen and social prominence, shaping Jackie’s and Lee’s public personas.
Family Network and Wealth
| Name | Relation | Role & Highlights | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis | Daughter | First Lady; book editor | $100 M–$200 M |
| Caroline Lee Radziwill | Daughter | Socialite; interior designer; actress | $50 M at death |
| Hugh D. Auchincloss Jr. | Stepfather | Lawyer; stockbroker with inherited Standard Oil wealth | Significant private wealth |
| James T. Lee | Father | Lawyer; Manhattan real estate developer | Substantial estate |
| Extended Bouvier–Kennedy–Auchincloss | Family network | Political dynasties and social elite | $1 B+ collectively |
Latest Historical Interest
- Biographies: Jackie, Janet & Lee remains a top seller, exploring Janet’s influence on Jackie and Lee.
- Oral History: Her 1964 interview at the JFK Library offers firsthand recollections of family events.
- Estate Analyses: Recent articles examine the mindset she instilled regarding wealth and power.
FAQ
When was Janet Lee Bouvier born?
She was born on December 3, 1907, in Manhattan, New York City.
Who were her children from her first marriage?
Her first marriage to John V. Bouvier III produced Jacqueline Lee (b. 1929) and Caroline Lee (b. 1933).
How many times did she marry?
She married three times: in 1928, 1942, and 1979.
What organizations did she serve on?
She served on the boards of the Newport Historical Society and Redwood Library and as honorary director of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Association.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Lee_Bouvier | Comprehensive biographical details for Janet Norton Lee Bouvier Auchincloss Morris, including birth date, family background, education, and social roles. |
| https://www.ebar.com/story.php?ch=arts__culture&id=263617&sc=books | Profile of Janet’s influence featured in the Bay Area Reporter article ‘Three strong women in America,’ highlighting her role in her daughters’ upbringing. |
| https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jackie-janet-lee-j-randy-taraborrelli/1126315000 | Listing for the biography ‘Jackie, Janet & Lee’ by J. Randy Taraborrelli, exploring Janet’s life and family legacy. |
| https://www.vanityfair.com/style/1995/11/jackie-kenedy-199511 | Vanity Fair article ‘The Private Jackie,’ cited for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s estate valuation of 100––200 million at her death. |
| https://www.therichest.com/rich-powerful/kennedys-arnold-schwarzenegger-net-worth/ | Estimation that the extended Bouvier–Kennedy–Auchincloss family network holds a collective net worth exceeding 1 billion. |
| https://static.jfklibrary.org/fpdcu827y1y8lf8w3as35416ho2lswkc.pdf?odc=20231115182822-0500 | PDF of Janet Lee Bouvier Auchincloss’s 1964 oral history interview in the JFK Library, containing firsthand recollections. |
| https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkoh-jlba-01 | Digital asset viewer entry for Janet’s oral history interview, providing archival access to her personal narratives. |
