Lee Radziwill Quotes

Powerful Lee Radziwill for Daily Growth

About Lee Radziwill

Lee Radziwill (1933-2019) was an American socialite, actress, and interior designer who gained prominence as the sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Born on March 3, 1933, in New York City to John Vincent Radziwill and Ruth Miller Venetianer, Lee grew up in a wealthy family with extensive connections to European aristocracy. Radziwill's early life was marked by social engagements and travel. In 1953, she married Michael Canfield, a British racecar driver, but the marriage ended in divorce three years later. Her life took a dramatic turn when she met Prince Stanislas Radziwill during her travels in Europe; they wed in 1959, becoming one of the most celebrated couples of their time. In 1963, following her sister's marriage to President John F. Kennedy, Lee became an integral part of the American social and cultural scene. Her style, sophistication, and elegance were admired by many, earning her a place among the most influential figures of the era. Radziwill ventured into acting in 1965 with her debut in "The Time of Your Life." She continued to act in films such as "Candy" (1968) and "Who Are You Polly Maggoo?" (1966). Her career took a turn towards interior design in the late 1970s. She opened her first store, Lee Radziwill Inc., in 1982, selling her unique furniture designs and home accessories. Despite her glamorous life, Radziwill remained private about her personal affairs. After Prince Stanislas' death in 1976, she married her third husband Herbert Ross, a successful film director, in 1988. They divorced five years later. Radziwill passed away on February 15, 2019, leaving behind a legacy that transcended the world of high society and fashion. Her memoir "Happy Times" (1978), co-written with her sister, offers a glimpse into their unique bond and the life they shared in the public eye.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We don't need money, but it's awfully convenient."

This quote suggests a perspective where wealth is not essential for happiness or fulfillment, but it certainly makes life easier and more comfortable. The phrase "awfully convenient" implies that while they don't strictly require money to live, its presence greatly enhances their lifestyle, making daily living less challenging. It highlights the practical benefits of being financially well-off, without diminishing the importance of other aspects such as relationships, experiences, and personal growth in one's life.


"I'm not in competition with anyone. I am a Jackie Kennedy, a Lee Radziwill."

This quote by Lee Radziwill reflects her self-awareness and acceptance that she shares an extraordinary identity with her famous sister, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Rather than engaging in a competitive comparison, she embraces their individuality and the unique roles they played as significant figures in American history. In essence, the quote suggests that Lee Radziwill acknowledges their similarities while asserting her own distinctiveness, emphasizing that their lives and accomplishments are not meant to be compared or measured against each other.


"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."

This quote by Lee Radziwill highlights that personal style serves as a silent yet powerful mode of expression, allowing individuals to communicate their identity, individuality, and personality without the need for words. It emphasizes the importance of self-expression through fashion, suggesting that what we wear can reflect our values, tastes, and experiences, thus providing insight into who we are at a glance.


"My sister has her life and I have mine."

This quote by Lee Radziwill emphasizes personal autonomy and individuality, particularly within a close relationship like that of sisters. It signifies that each sister leads her own unique life, following her own path and making her own choices, without the need for comparison or interference from the other. Essentially, it underscores the importance of self-discovery and personal growth, while respecting the distinct lives of those close to us.


"I love to travel because it makes me realize how big the world is and how tiny I am in it."

This quote emphasizes a sense of humility and perspective. Traveling broadens our horizons, reminding us that despite our individual significance, there's an immense world full of cultures, landscapes, and people beyond our immediate surroundings. It encourages us to embrace the unknown, foster curiosity, and develop empathy for others, ultimately fostering a greater appreciation for diversity and global unity.


My mother endlessly told me I was too fat, that I wasn't a patch on my sister. It wasn't much fun growing up with her and her almost irrational social climbing in that huge house of my dull stepfather Hughdie Auchincloss in Washington.

- Lee Radziwill

House, Endlessly, Almost, Stepfather

The most important thing, I've found, is to be self-reliant.

- Lee Radziwill

Important, Found, Most, Self-Reliant

Decorating has always been my hobby.

- Lee Radziwill

Hobby, Always, Been, Decorating

As a child, the person I admired most in the world was Lana Turner! She seemed the epitome of glamour, and her glitzy surroundings so enviable, the opposite of my mother's extremely banal taste.

- Lee Radziwill

Epitome, Admired, Enviable, Turner

There were so many things I couldn't do when my brother-in-law was president.

- Lee Radziwill

Brother-In-Law, Things, Were, President

There's a McDonald's in the Louvre.

- Lee Radziwill

Louvre, McDonald

When I look back on my life, it seems nearly everything of interest happened in little more than one decade - dramas, tragedies, major events, pleasures, my close friendships with artists and political figures, the lovely places where I lived in England and New York, the trips to Europe, visits at the White House.

- Lee Radziwill

My Life, Decade, Figures, Dramas

I like people like Andre Malraux, Edmund Wilson, Willa Cather, Robert Graves, Erik Erikson, and Francis Steegmuller.

- Lee Radziwill

People, Like, Andre, Francis

One can't help but be a bit melancholy when you see how the world has changed, and I don't mean that nostalgically.

- Lee Radziwill

Help, How, Bit, Melancholy

I don't know where this myth that I go to a lot of parties stems from. It's a total myth. I may go out to something special once a year.

- Lee Radziwill

Year, May, Stems, Something Special

Onassis told me. He begged me to come to the wedding.

- Lee Radziwill

Wedding, Me, Come, Onassis

My father, naturally, spoiled me when I was allowed to see him - flying to New York from Washington, alone, in those terrifying planes. He'd take me to Danny Kaye movies and rent a dog for me to walk in the park on Sunday - a different dog every Sunday - and then to have butterscotch sundaes with almonds at Schrafft's.

- Lee Radziwill

Father, Terrifying, Allowed, Danny

When I was seven and we lived in New York, I ran away. I took my dog and started out across the Brooklyn Bridge... I didn't get very far... It's rather difficult to run away in your mother's high heels.

- Lee Radziwill

Away, Rather, Very, Ran

Jackie's dream was France, but mine was really art and Italy, as that was all I cared about through school. My history of art teacher, who saved my life at Farmington, was obsessed with Bernard Berenson, and I succumbed as well.

- Lee Radziwill

My Life, Through, Bernard, Succumbed

If I really can be said to have a personal style, I think it is reflected in my taste for the exotic and the unexpected. I like to create rooms which are essentially traditional - and then add touches of the bizarre and the delicious.

- Lee Radziwill

I Think, Rooms, Bizarre, Exotic

Paris is life-enhancing for all those reasons we know and all those words that have become so banal.

- Lee Radziwill

Words, Paris, Reasons, Banal

Divorce is a 50-50 thing, and it can be a number of petty things that finally drive you out of your mind.

- Lee Radziwill

Mind, Number, Finally, 50-50

It is difficult for someone raised in my world to learn to express emotion. We are taught early to hide our feelings publicly.

- Lee Radziwill

Learn, Difficult, Raised, Feelings

I've often thought - even though it's hard to give him even more credit than he has had - that Andy Warhol must have started a lot of 15 minutes of fame.

- Lee Radziwill

Thought, Give, Warhol, None

I believe that without memories there is no life, and that our memories should be of happy times.

- Lee Radziwill

Memories, Happy, Times, I Believe

My ideal evening is to have dinner with one person or a few persons, and then be in bed by 11.

- Lee Radziwill

Bed, Ideal, Persons, Evening

I don't like dining rooms. I think they have too much structure and are too formal.

- Lee Radziwill

Think, I Think, Rooms, Structure

I think grieving is the same for everybody that lost someone you love deeply. It's the same. You know, you're really no different than anybody else who's lost somebody they adored.

- Lee Radziwill

Love, Think, Everybody, Grieving

I find it hard to read people's minds, my own children's minds even harder. But it all worked out, and I was blessed with two wonderful children.

- Lee Radziwill

Own, My Own, Read, Harder

When I buy something, I do so with the intention of keeping it forever.

- Lee Radziwill

Forever, Buy, Keeping, Intention

I'm obviously all for women's lib.

- Lee Radziwill

Women, Obviously, Lib

I have a great curiosity to see new things, but not to own them. It's very peaceful this way, and one of the nice things about getting older.

- Lee Radziwill

New Things, New, Very, Nice Things

New Yorkers are obsessed with youth and eternal youth and then their careers and making money.

- Lee Radziwill

New, Making, Eternal Youth, New Yorkers

I don't know what happened, but I lost the desire to acquire more things. It's very peaceful to have lost that desire.

- Lee Radziwill

Lost, Desire, Very, Peaceful

If I see an orchid that's fantastically expensive, I'll buy it. It's worth it, for no other reason than it gives me pleasure.

- Lee Radziwill

Reason, Pleasure, Other, Gives

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.