Kingmaker: Pamela Harriman’s Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue

Written off by some as a grand horizontale (courtesan) and social climber, Winston Churchill’s daughter-in-law, Pamela Digby (Churchill, Hayward, Harriman) 1920-1997, was not just pursued (bedded and supported) by politicians, diplomats, journalists, and business moguls, but did so in part clandestinely servicing democracy. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright observed Pamela was “not a woman to let the century pass her by.” This is a helluva story; great miniseries material, a terrific read.

“Born a girl in 1920 England meant being denied education, expectation and inheritance…” writes the author, Sonia Purnell. Educated at home, the mediocre student talked her parents into boarding school at 15. She was sent to Paris to learn French, to Munich for finishing, (Hitler had just come into power), and presented to the Queen, in other words, came out. Custom gave the teenager 12 weeks to find a husband or be considered “old stock.” She had a beautiful complexion, but was pudgy enough to be teased by peers. Additionally denied fashionable clothes and make-up, Pamela had no beaus.

Pamela and Family – The Digbys

At 19, she developed a deep interest in politics, honing the flattery of older men she learned in Paris to an art. Lovers and mentors became staunch advocates. Nonetheless, she had to marry. Pamela was set up with 28 year-old Randolph Churchill, a known bounder. On their first date, he told her he didn’t love her but she looked solid enough to bear a child.

Winston expected his son to father a baby before leaving for war. Randolph’s mistress, Clare Booth Luce, could hardly be expected to fill the provision. Despite warnings, Pamela settled for the Churchill name, status, and access to power. Shortly after she moved into the family manse, Winston became Prime Minister. As his wife Clementine often pleaded ill, Pamela was invited to political dinners in the part of her mother-in-law’s surrogate. She was bright, curious, discreet and losing her baby fat. The senior Churchills loved (and often financially supported) her till the day they died.

Randolph sailed to Egypt with his battalion, but never stopped over spending. The house the couple rented was in arrears. Pamela went to British newspaper publisher and politician, Lord Beaverbrook, in hopes of securing two years of her errant husband’s salary to support her and a new baby. The good looking 49 year-old insisted it was a “present” and should be kept away from Randolph. He saw potential.

At a dinner for Adele Astaire, the young woman was purposefully seated next to (married) Averell Harriman, then Minister of Supply, in order to convince him to support England’s war efforts. “She found herself naked in the arms of a man who might be able to bring the horror to an end,” Purnell writes. They began an affair in earnest. Pamela achieved her aim while developing lifelong attachment she assumed would never lead to marriage. Usually cheap, Harriman gave her a generous allowance. Her in-laws encouraged the liaison for the sake of the war. This was the beginning.

Pamela and the Duke of Warwick

As a Churchill wife, Pamela was required to be on the tarmac when Randolph returned. She even tried to patch things up, but he doggedly remained dissipated and soon left again freeing her to continue as an ersatz Mata Hari. Boxes from various British and American services constantly arrived at her door – steak, champagne, nylons. Competition for her company increased. It’s said Pamela knew about the invasion of Normandy in advance.

Edward R. Murrow came next. To Pamela, this was a real love match. After time abroad, she flew to New Jersey, but the journalist could never quite leave his wife. Friends said she dodged a bullet. A turn with his boss, Bill Paley and then Jock Whitney garnered information and a bigger bankroll. No matter how many men she was with, no one had a negative thing to say about her.

Beaverbrook offered Pamela, at loose ends, a journalist job. Harriman, who’d been in Moscow, was appointed Ambassador to London. She kept her distance except in passing. He was then posted to Washington, D.C.  It would be 15 years before they connected again. In Paris, she met and was courted by Prince Aly Kahn who “taught her real lovemaking,” writes Purnell. They were not exclusive. She became hostess at his Riviera villa where she met and befriended Kick (Kathleen) and Jack Kennedy.

Pamela and the Kennedys

Gianni Agnelli became the next suitor. Purnell writes: “The effect on her lifestyle, wardrobe, and jewelry collection was startling.” Agnelli set her up in a Paris apartment with staff, allowance and a car. Her son, Winston, was sent to Le Rosy then Eton acquiring the profligate habits of his mostly absent father. Pamela “dressed and civilized” her lover. He wanted to be part of the global scene. She introduced him to the Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Paley. This was not, she knew, husband material. Agnelli sought her friendship and counsel till she died, telephoning each and every morning at 7 a.m.

Approaching her mid 30s, Pamela was a size four with peaches and cream skin who donated her couture to friends at the end of each season. Oleg Cassini called her one of the great Geisha girls. Elie de Rothschild and Stavros Niarchos – passed through. Truman Capote anointed her one of his swans.

Babe Paley invited the heroine to her home on a trip to America. Did she know about her husband’s fling? Probably. She asked Slim Hayward for the loan of her director husband Leland to make a quartet. Slim assumed her spouse would be uninterested in “the notorious fortune hunter.” Big mistake. With 18 year difference in their ages, Pamela mesmerized him. (Slim was also unfaithful.) Instead of being wary or embarrassed, Leland was proud. They married. She threw herself into her unstable lover’s unstable business and life, even selling the Paris apartment to buy them a house here.

Pamela and Bill Clinton

There are politics – sometimes dense – throughout this book. Pamela was always involved, sometimes instrumentally, at other times a conduit. They make a less entertaining review, but are well researched and integrated. We also read about step children and the trajectory of her son. Pamela was bored at home.

Ed Murrow died. She nursed Leland through a stroke. For perhaps the first time, money was tight. At 67, Averell’s wife passed. Friends thought “the old man was in love for the first time in his life.” They finally married. Descriptions of the lavish home Pamela created for Averell Harriman are marvelous. She manifested a center of style, glamour and influence not seen since the Kennedys, seeing to every detail and comfort, even when her husband retired early. Ever a mover and shaker, she was active behind Democrats, helped Clinton rise – “Katharine Graham said he wouldn’t have been elected without her” – stood with Anita Hill…

President Jacques Chirac and Pamela

When Averell passed, she wept, brushed herself off and continued, serving as Ambassador to France from 1993 until her death in 1997; dying after a pulmonary event while swimming at the Ritz. Agnelli flew in to be with her. Pamela Harriman was awarded a posthumous Legion of Honor by President Jacques Chirac and The Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. Twelve hundred people from 40 countries traveled to the National Cathedral to mourn.

All Photos from the book courtesy of Viking
Opening Photo: Pamela’s first wedding day – to Randolph Churchill 1924

Kingmaker: Pamela Harriman’s Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue
Sonia Purnell
Click to buy on Amazon

Our editors love to read and  independently recommend these books. As an Amazon Affiliate, Woman Around Town may receive a small commission from the sale of any book. Thank you for supporting Woman Around Town.