I met one of the most incredible women in the world this morning, who was sitting right next to me in my neighborhood nail salon. Her name is Edith Levin. She’s elegant as all get out, genteel, well spoken, open and friendly. She’ll be 98 in November and she was having her weekly manicure and pedicure.
Edith sans chapeauxI should look this good
I asked Edith if I could interview her for FOF, and she was happy to oblige. Her weekend companion, Emelina, said she’d tell Edith’s children to read the blog since Edith doesn’t have a computer. Edith’s son, 74, is in Palm Beach politics and was a commissioner under NY Mayor Guiliani during 911. She also has a daughter who is 70, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Edith has been married three times. Her mind is sharp, her vision is “dimming,” and she hears when you speak up.
Geri: Where did you grow up?
Edith: Right here in Manhattan.
G: How has it changed?
E: It’s busier and more exiting.
G: Who was the most famous person you ever met?
E: I first went to Europe with my parents when I was seven and met Douglas Fairbanks in the hotel swimming pool.
G: Can you tell me something about your husbands?
E: My first husband was a builder. My second was an old friend who wanted me to move to his farm, but I wasn’t interested in that. The third husband was sick and died.
G: Why did you divorce your first husband?
E: To marry the second.
G: Why do you think you’ve lived this long?
E: I was a great swimmer. We had a house on Brant Lake (in the Adirondack Mountains in NY) and I’d swim across every morning and then lay in the sun. (Coincidentally, many of my kids’ friends went to Brant Lake Camp, which was founded by Edith’s uncle.)
G: Did you work?
E: I was supposed to go to college in the late twenties, but my father [an importer] lost everything when the stock market crashed. So I became a fashion sketch artist. I went to the fashion shows in Europe and would go to the ladies rooms to draw what I saw.
G: Anything later on?
E: I painted in oils, flowers and vases. I attended the Art Students League and had private lessons in the studio I shared with my aunt.
G: Did you sell your paintings?
E: Oh, yes.
G: I love the way you look. Where do you shop?
E: Chico’s. I like their fabrics.
G: You look great.
E: I had a better body when I was younger. Big boobs and no behind.
G: Are you doing anything this weekend?
E: No, I used to go to the Hamptons, but I don’t do that anymore. Now I stay in New York.
G: Are any of your old friends still around?
E: My last boyfriend died when he was 99, but he really was 100.
0 Responses to “Let’s see, what is twice FOF?”
Deborah says:
Grandma Edie represents everything positive in this world-she celebrates life, love, people, activity, fashion, art, and of course chocolate, to name just a few! For my entire life (almost 41 years), she has truly been consistently positive, fun, supportive, and loving as a Grandmother. I am so happy to celebrate her on the internet! Her history and life are full and inspirational, and her everyday sweetness, support, and interest are cherished by her family. She is an exceptional Grandmother, and Great Grandmother,always making us smile and never chocolate deprived! LOVE and BEAUTY are the best ways to describe what she exudes. I am so proud to be from her heritage, and even more proud that she has passed on her artistic talents, social skills, and boundless energy to my children. I strive to be like her, not only when I am 97 1/2, but every day. I love you Grandma. You are a star.
I am privileged to know Edie since the sixties…a delightful and wonderful person…Edie taught me a great deal not least how to appreciate good painting. Please all those of you in the family tell her Sally is so happy to see her enjoying her manicure ! also tell her next time I manage to be in New York I will be visiting…the city would not be the same without her.
Fabulous interview with a sassy, smart and gorgeous woman. {You should see her daughter!}
Edith is an inspiration for living full out, and I know that includes an appreciation for dark chocolate truffles!
Geri, you really ought to see my mother’s paintings-better than Georgia O’Keefe and fabulous!!
By the way, although my Mother is very sharp, she did add a year to my and my brother’s age!!
Everything else is on point.
I have been very fortune to work for Mrs. Edith Levin for the past ten years and I can tell you that she is my inspiration. She is the sexiest 97 year old I ever meet, she doesn’t let one white hair appear in her head and will never go out without lipstick. Cheers to a wonderful lady.
Edie is truly an incredible person. She is loved by her family and we all cherish the time spent with her. She is an inspiration to all who are fortunate to know her.
I plan on living to be 100 and every women of age that looks wonderful and healthy has her kind of attitude. Life is a short experience that I have started very late but I plan on cramming in as much as possible for the next 47 years 🙂 Cheers to Edith!
What a wonderful interview. How perfect that you got to meet her. She’s so feisty and sassy and sexy and smart and beautiful! We all want to be her, don’t we? Love her watch! Thanks for sharing. xoxo
0 Responses to “Let’s see, what is twice FOF?”
Deborah says:
Grandma Edie represents everything positive in this world-she celebrates life, love, people, activity, fashion, art, and of course chocolate, to name just a few! For my entire life (almost 41 years), she has truly been consistently positive, fun, supportive, and loving as a Grandmother. I am so happy to celebrate her on the internet! Her history and life are full and inspirational, and her everyday sweetness, support, and interest are cherished by her family. She is an exceptional Grandmother, and Great Grandmother,always making us smile and never chocolate deprived! LOVE and BEAUTY are the best ways to describe what she exudes. I am so proud to be from her heritage, and even more proud that she has passed on her artistic talents, social skills, and boundless energy to my children. I strive to be like her, not only when I am 97 1/2, but every day. I love you Grandma. You are a star.
sally emerson says:
I am privileged to know Edie since the sixties…a delightful and wonderful person…Edie taught me a great deal not least how to appreciate good painting. Please all those of you in the family tell her Sally is so happy to see her enjoying her manicure ! also tell her next time I manage to be in New York I will be visiting…the city would not be the same without her.
Fran says:
Fabulous interview with a sassy, smart and gorgeous woman. {You should see her daughter!}
Edith is an inspiration for living full out, and I know that includes an appreciation for dark chocolate truffles!
Joan Steinberg says:
Geri, you really ought to see my mother’s paintings-better than Georgia O’Keefe and fabulous!!
By the way, although my Mother is very sharp, she did add a year to my and my brother’s age!!
Everything else is on point.
Lissett says:
I have been very fortune to work for Mrs. Edith Levin for the past ten years and I can tell you that she is my inspiration. She is the sexiest 97 year old I ever meet, she doesn’t let one white hair appear in her head and will never go out without lipstick. Cheers to a wonderful lady.
Edie's Grandchild says:
Edie is truly an incredible person. She is loved by her family and we all cherish the time spent with her. She is an inspiration to all who are fortunate to know her.
I am glad that she has finally been discovered!
Geri Brin says:
As am I.
Shawn Pugh says:
I plan on living to be 100 and every women of age that looks wonderful and healthy has her kind of attitude. Life is a short experience that I have started very late but I plan on cramming in as much as possible for the next 47 years 🙂 Cheers to Edith!
Lois Whitman says:
Chico’s needs to read this blog.
Preppy 101 says:
What a wonderful interview. How perfect that you got to meet her. She’s so feisty and sassy and sexy and smart and beautiful! We all want to be her, don’t we? Love her watch! Thanks for sharing. xoxo