Socialite
A socialite is a person usually from a wealthy or
Word history
The word socialite is first attested in 1909 in a California newspaper.[4] It was popularized by Time magazine in the 1920s.[5]
United Kingdom
Historically, socialites in the United Kingdom were almost exclusively from the families of the aristocracy and landed gentry.[3] Many socialites also had strong familial or personal relationships to the British royal family.
Between the 17th and early 19th centuries, society events in London and at
United States
18th and 19th centuries
The concept of socialites dates to the 18th and 19th century. Most of the earliest socialites were wives or mistresses of royalty or nobility, but being a socialite was more a duty and a means of survival than a form of pleasure. Bashful queens were often forced to play gracious and wealthy hostess to people who despised them. Mistresses had to pay for their social reputation and had to use their social skills to obtain favor in the court and retain the interest of their lovers.[9]
With the increase of wealth in the US in the 19th century, being a socialite developed into a role that brought power and influence.[9]
21st century
In the 21st century, the term "socialite" is still attached to being wealthy and socially recognized. The lines between being a socialite and
Gossip Girl, an American television series airing between September 2007 and December 2012, focuses on the lives of New York City socialites who live on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The show is a strong influence on how socialites are regarded in the 21st century because of the presence of scandal, wealth, and fashion in each episode. Pop culture gives the impression that by simply being wealthy and fashionable, an individual has the opportunity to become famous. Consequently, it is an individual's ability to climb the social ladder due to his or her wealth and recognition that makes them a socialite.
According to The New York Times, socialites spend between $98,000 and $455,000 per year (young and old, respectively) to maintain their roles as successful socialites.[11] Just the evening wardrobe of an individual regularly attending society functions can cost $100,000 annually.[12] Examples of modern-day American socialites include: The Kardashian-Jenner family, Jill Kelley, Tinsley Mortimer, EJ Johnson, Olivia Palermo, Lauren Santo Domingo, Paris Hilton, Derek Blasberg, and Jean Shafiroff.
Famous historical socialites
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Margot Asquith (1864-1945)
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Caroline Schermerhorn Astor (1830–1908)
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Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929–1994)
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Alva Vanderbilt Belmont (1853–1933)
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Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (1896–1986)
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Lady Randolph Churchill (1854–1921)
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Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington (1920–1948)
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Beau Brummell (1778–1840)
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Margaret Greville (1863–1942)
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Lady Diana Manners (1892–1986)
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Hope Portocarrero (1929-1991)
See also
- Conspicuous leisure
- Debutante
- Elitism
- Famous for being famous
- In-groups and out-groups
- International Debutante Ball
- It girl
- Jet set
- List of American heiresses
- Sloane Ranger
- Social environment
- Social identity theory
- Southern belle
- Upper class
- White Anglo-Saxon Protestant
- Yuppie
References
- ^ "Socialite definition". Reverso Dictionary. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
- ^ "Socialite". Merriam-Webster Online. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
- ^ a b c Biressi, Anita; Nunn, Heather (23 Apr 2013). Class and Contemporary British Culture. Palgrave Macmillan.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary, s.v.
- ISBN 1433104938, p. 62
- ^ "ON THE TRAIL OF LONDON'S SLOANE RANGERS". The New York Times. 25 March 1984.
- ^ "Made in Chelsea documents the affairs of 12 young socialites in West London". The Independent. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ "About Us". Social Register Association. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
- ^ a b "What is a Socialite?". wiseGEEK. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
- ^ ""Paris Hilton Biography – Facts, Birthday, Life Story". Biography.com. 30 November 2021.
- ^ "The True Cost of Being an NYC Socialite". Business Insider. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-06-26.