Martha Mitchell is a famous American political and social figure who is famous for her outspoken and controversial statements during the Watergate scandal.
She is the wife of John N. Mitchell, United States Attorney General under President Richard Nixon, and a close friend of the president and his wife.
She is also known for her flamboyant personality, colorful fashion, and lavish parties. She is known as “Nam Mouth” was introduced by the media and became a household name in the 1970s.
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- Full name: Martha Elizabeth Beall Mitchell
- Date of birth: September 2, 1918
- Age: 58 years old (at time of death)
- Female
- Birthplace: Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Social activist, political activist, columnist
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
- Parents: George V. Beall and Arie Beall Ferguson
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Clyde Jennings Jr. (d. 1946; div. 1957), John N. Mitchell (d. 1957; September 1973)
- Children: Clyde Jay Jennings and Martha Elizabeth Mitchell
- Relationship status: Separated at time of death
- Net worth: 3 million USD
Early Life & Education
Martha Mitchell was born on September 2, 1918 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to George V. Beall, a cotton broker, and Arie Beall Ferguson, a drama teacher.
She is an only child and grew up in a wealthy and influential family. She attended Pine Bluff High School, where she was a member of the cheerleading and debate teams.
She graduated in 1936 and enrolled at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she majored in history and studied French.
She is active in various clubs and associations, such as the Glee Club, Drama Club, and International Affairs Club.
She also wrote for the university newspaper and yearbook. She graduated in 1940 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Personal life
Martha Mitchell married Clyde Jennings, Jr., a naval officer, in 1946. They had a son, Clyde Jay Jennings, in 1947.
The couple moved to Washington, D.C., where Jennings worked as a lawyer, and Mitchell worked as a secretary for Senator John L. McClellan of Arkansas. They divorced in 1957 after Jennings had an affair with another woman.
Martha Mitchell married John N. Mitchell, a lawyer and friend of Jennings, in 1957. They had a daughter, Martha Elizabeth Mitchell, in 1959.
The couple moved to New York City, where Mitchell became a partner in a prestigious law firm, and Martha Mitchell became a prominent socialite.
She threw lavish parties at their penthouse and befriended many celebrities, politicians and journalists. She was also involved in various philanthropic and political causes, such as the American Cancer Society, the Republican National Committee, and Nixon’s presidential campaign.
Martha Mitchell was a close friend of Richard and Pat Nixon, who often invited her to the White House and Camp David.
She is also a confidant of the president and his wife, often giving them advice and feedback on various issues. She is considered one of the most influential women in Washington and is admired for her charm, wit and honesty.
However, Martha Mitchell’s marriage and friendship with the Nixon family soured in 1972 when the Watergate scandal broke out.
She becomes suspicious of her husband’s involvement in the cover-up and tries to expose the truth to the media. She also accused the president and his aides of corruption, abuse of power and conspiracy.
She claimed that she was kidnapped, drugged and beaten by the president’s men to silence her. She also suffered from alcoholism, depression, paranoia and was hospitalized many times. She separated from her husband in 1973 and filed for divorce, but the divorce was never finalized.
Career
Martha Mitchell did not have an official career, but she was a prominent figure in the political and social scene of New York and Washington.
She is a columnist for the New York Post, writing about her opinions and experiences on a variety of topics, such as fashion, travel, entertainment, and current affairs.
She is also a frequent guest on radio and television shows, where she shares her views and stories with the public. She is known for her outspoken and controversial statements, which often attract attention and cause debate.
She is also a source of information and rumors for many journalists, who often quote or interview her for their stories.
prize
Martha Mitchell did not receive an official award, but she was recognized and honored by many different organizations and agencies for her contributions and achievements.
Some of them are:
- She was honored by Good Housekeeping magazine as one of the 10 most admired women in America in 1970.
- She was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Agnes Scott College in 1971.
- She was inducted into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
Death
Martha Mitchell died on May 31, 1976, at the age of 58, in New York City. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of bone cancer, in 1974 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
She was hospitalized at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she died from the disease. She was buried at Bellwood Cemetery in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, next to her parents.
Argumentative
Martha Mitchell is a controversial figure, often causing controversy with her outspoken and provocative statements. Some of the most notable controversies she has been involved in are:
She accused the president and his aides of corruption, abuse of power and conspiracy in the Watergate scandal. She claims she has inside information and evidence proving their guilt.
She also claimed that she was kidnapped, drugged and beaten by the president’s men to silence her. She is known to the media and the public as “The Watergate Canary” and “The Watergate Siren”.
She criticized the president and his wife for their handling of the Vietnam War, the economy, and social issues. She also mocks their appearance, behavior, and interests. She called Pat Nixon a “plastic doll” and Richard Nixon a “liar” and a “fraud.” She also said that she wished he would resign or die.
She revealed the president’s secret plan to bomb North Vietnam in 1972 before it was officially announced. She told a reporter that the president was going to “do something big” and she was “scared to death.” She also said she hopes the president will be impeached or assassinated.
She offended and insulted many foreign leaders and dignitaries, such as Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Anwar Sadat and Haile Selassie. She made derogatory comments about their appearance, culture, and policies. She also made racist and sexist comments about different ethnic and gender groups.
Social Media
- Instagram handle name: Not applicable
- Twitter name: Not applicable
Net value
Martha Mitchell’s net worth at the time of her death was estimated to be around $3 million and she lived a lavish and lavish lifestyle.
She owned a penthouse in New York City, valued at $500,000 in 1973.
