Dee Caperton Kessel
Dee Kessel Caperton | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of West Virginia | |
| In role January 16, 1989 – October 23, 1989 | |
| Governor | Gaston Caperton |
| Preceded by | Shelley Riley Moore |
| Succeeded by | Rachael Worby |
| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 23rd district | |
| In office December 1, 1986 – December 1, 1988 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ella Dee Kessel February 26, 1943 Ripley, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | September 1, 2000 (aged 57) St. Remy, France |
| Spouse | |
| Education | West Virginia University University of Pittsburgh |
| Known for | Miss West Virginia, First lady of West Virginia, 1989-90 |
Ella Dee Kessel Caperton (February 26, 1943 – September 1, 2000), best known as Dee Kessel Caperton,[1] was an American politician who served as First Lady of West Virginia, served a term in the West Virginia House of Delegates and was once Miss West Virginia. She was the ex-wife of former West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton, and the daughter of former Jackson County Circuit Court Judge and West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Oliver Kessel.[2]
Early life
A Ripley, West Virginia native, Kessel was born on February 26, 1943. She was the daughter of Kate and Oliver Kessel.[3] Her father was a justice on the West Virginia Supreme Court. She held a degree in music from West Virginia University, a master's degree in education from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.[1] She was Miss West Virginia 1964 and the second runner up in the Miss America pageant. She married Caperton in 1965. Two sons were born of the marriage, W.G. (Gat) Caperton, and John Kessel Caperton.[1]
Political career and First Lady of West Virginia
After working as an interior decorator, studying classical music, and learning how to fly an
On June 8, 1989, Governor Caperton announced his and his wife's divorce.[7] On August 17, 1989, Dee Caperton sued her husband for $12 million, claiming she had been forced to sell market shares below value for political reasons.[8] The divorce was granted on October 24, 1989 as a no-fault divorce, and the lawsuit filed against her husband was settled out of court.[9] It had been reported the settlement was for $11 million dollars, though neither party had been willing to confirm specifics.[10]
After the divorce, she conceded she had considered a political comeback, mentioning a possible bid for the Mayor of Charleston.[11] On January 22,1990, she announced her candidacy for State Treasurer of West Virginia that year.[12] Should she have been elected to office, she would have worked alongside her ex-husband in dictating how to use state money.[13] The race was marred by speculation that Caperton would challenge her husband's re-election bid in 1992, though she denied this.[14] She also denied any friction working with her ex-husband claiming they were on friendly terms.[12] Despite reportedly leaving events when he knew his ex-wife was present, Governor Caperton made no efforts to stifle her ambitions.[10] Her candidacy was criticized by her opponents, who charged her election would generate negative publicity, particularly after the scandal surrounding previous Treasurer A. James Manchin.[15] She also faced criticism for her wealth, and lack of experience.[16] Caperton was defeated by former Treasurer Larrie Bailey by under 15,000 votes in the primary.[17] She outspent Bailey, spending $239,000 to Bailey's $6,100.[16]
After losing the Treasurer's race, she moved to France, where she operated a small hotel in Saint-Remy.[2] She died in France on September 1, 2000, aged 57.[2] In 2016, a commemorative doll of Caperton was unveiled, with former Governor Caperton and her son Gat in attendance.[18]
References
- ^ a b c "House Resolution No. 26". wvlegislature.gov. Archived from the original on 2018-10-25. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d "West Virginia's First Ladies," West Virginia Division of Culture and History, June 2007.
- ^ West Virginia Blue Book 1987 (PDF). 1987. p. 363.
- ^ West Virginia Blue Book 1986 (PDF). 1986. p. 673.
- ^ "Labor leaders take primary". The Ironton Tribune. Associated Press. 1986-05-14. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Former First Lady Of W. Va Trails In Treasurer Bid". The Charlotte Observer. Knight-Rider Newspapers. 1990-05-09. p. 23. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Governor, wife split". The Town Talk. Associated Press. 1989-06-09. p. 6. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Wife Sues W.Va. Governor in Fraud". The Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. 1989-08-17. p. 233. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Caperton case Settles". The Pittsburgh Press. Associated Press. 1989-10-25. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ a b "Bedfellows make strange politics". The Gazette. Associated Press. 1990-04-10. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "BACK IN POLITICS". Orlando Sentinel. 1989-10-02. Archived from the original on 2024-03-07. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ a b "Gov. Caperton's ex-wife to run for W. Va office". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. 1990-01-23. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ Niller, Eric (1990-02-25). "W. Va. governor's ex-wife in race for state office". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 14. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ McAllister, Bill (1990-03-25). "W. Virginia Politics Gets 'Soap Opera' Spin". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2017-08-27. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Governor's Ex-Wife Called Bad News". The Charlotte Observer. Associated Press. 1990-05-06. p. 27. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ a b "Dee Caperton loses W. Va. primary". The Pittsburgh Press. The Pittsburgh Press. 1990-05-09. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ West Virginia Blue Book 1991 (PDF). 1991. p. 685.
- ^ culturewv (2016-06-21). "West Virginia Division of Culture and History Unveils First Lady Dee Caperton Doll in Culture Center Collection". West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History. Archived from the original on 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2024-03-07.