Meticulously researched, balanced reporting on a life of someone who could have done so much more for society and herself. ( )

The youngest child of a copper baron and heiress to a massive fortune, Huguette Clark went through life on her own terms. What prompted her to withdraw from life and be a recluse?

When I finished reading this book, all I could think was "That poor woman." Her own father warned her that no one would love her for herself, but for her money. However, it was fairly obvious she would not have wanted pity. She was living as she wanted to live, even if it wasn't normal to everyone else.

It was difficult to read about the complicated relationship Huguette had with her caretakers. Were they taking advantage of her? So the evidence would suggest. However, did they care for Huguette as she wanted to be cared for? Yes, so what right would I have to fault any of it?

This was a great read and one I would recommend to readers who enjoy biographies. ( )

This is the second book I have read on Huguette Clark. This one elaborates more on Ms Clark and the lawsuit after her death.

I was shocked at the amount of money that the nurses, doctors and hospital and her own lawyers weaseled out of her. Not just money was given out, but homes, vehicles and boats and their children private school and college tuition. These people prayed on the fact that Huguette feared being left with no one.

( )

What an inordinately sad person...... She grew up very wealthy, her father the 2nd richest man in the U.S. At age 22 she was worth $50 million. She was married, divorced, & had many failed romances.

At one time she was vibrant & lively a most popular debutant, in fact she learned to surf while in Hawaii from Duke Kahanamoku... She had 3 apartments on 5th Ave & a 23 acre ocean front compound in Santa Barbara, CA.

After her failed romances she began to withdraw from society, living on 5th Ave. a few floors above her mother. At 84 she checked into Doctors' Hospital for a form of treatable skin cancer but never moved back out. She was estranged from her relatives w/ only the her caretakers & hospital staff (ALL leeches & vultures) around her siphoning off her money....

When she died at 104 yrs of age (after living in the hospital for 20 years), she left an estate of over $300 million..... and then the fight began.

This was an interesting book but it was tedious, so very much detail..... The people who surrounded Huguette Clark were utterly detestable people..... So the book left me w/ a sour after taste. What I would have liked more of was to have been able to see more of her art work and in color... ( )

I didn't see the need for this book: a lot of speculation and purple prose. If you're interested in eccentric rich people and estate battles, you might enjoy this. I didn't. ( )