Age, Biography and Wiki

Slim Keith (Mary Raye Gross) was born on 15 July, 1917 in Salinas, California, U.S., is an American socialite (1917–1990). Discover Slim Keith's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 72 years old?

Popular As Mary Raye Gross
Occupation N/A
Age 72 years old
Zodiac Sign Cancer
Born 15 July, 1917
Birthday 15 July
Birthplace Salinas, California, U.S.
Date of death 16 April, 1990
Died Place New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 15 July. She is a member of famous with the age 72 years old group.

Slim Keith Height, Weight & Measurements

At 72 years old, Slim Keith height not available right now. We will update Slim Keith's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Slim Keith's Husband?

Her husband is Howard Hawks (m. 1941-1949) Leland Hayward (m. 1949-1960) Kenneth Keith, Baron Keith of Castleacre (m. 1962-1972)

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Howard Hawks (m. 1941-1949) Leland Hayward (m. 1949-1960) Kenneth Keith, Baron Keith of Castleacre (m. 1962-1972)
Sibling Not Available
Children Kitty Hawks

Slim Keith Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Slim Keith worth at the age of 72 years old? Slim Keith’s income source is mostly from being a successful . She is from United States. We have estimated Slim Keith's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income

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Timeline

1917

Nancy "Slim" Keith, Lady Keith of Castleacre (born Mary Raye Gross; July 15, 1917 – April 16, 1990) was an American socialite and fashion icon during the 1950s and 1960s, exemplifying the American jet set.

Keith was married 3 times; firstly to American film director Howard Hawks, secondly to American producer Leland Hayward, and finally to British banker and aristocrat Kenneth Keith, Baron Keith of Castleacre.

She and her friend Babe Paley were the thinly veiled inspiration for characters in Truman Capote's novel Answered Prayers.

She is also credited with bringing Lauren Bacall to Hollywood's attention by showing her then-husband, producer Howard Hawks, a magazine cover with Bacall's picture on it.

Slim Keith was born Mary Raye Gross in Salinas, California to Edward Gross and Raye Nell Boyer Gross (who later changed Mary's name to Nancy).

Her father was a successful businessman who owned several canneries in nearby Monterey.

She had an older sister named Theodora and a younger brother named Buddy.

1928

In the winter of 1928, Buddy died in a tragic accident after his nightshirt caught fire and caused fatal burns.

The loss fractured the Gross family, with Edward blaming his wife for the accident.

Nancy was sent to a Dominican convent school in San Rafael.

Her father would eventually leave her mother and tried to persuade Nancy to choose his side in the divorce, promising her a car, a horse, and other presents.

Nancy, however, chose to stay with her mother, causing a permanent estrangement between Edward and his daughter.

By age 22, she had appeared on the cover of Harper's Bazaar.

1938

In 1938 she met noted film director Howard Hawks, who was immediately smitten with her and did everything he could to persuade her to marry him despite the fact he was already married to Athole Shearer, the sister of actress Norma Shearer.

Three years later he was divorced from Athole and married Slim.

Hawks was unable to remain faithful and shortly after the birth of their daughter Kitty Hawks, Slim moved to Havana to stay with Ernest Hemingway.

There in Cuba she met the man who would be her second husband, movie and theatrical producer Leland Hayward.

Through Hayward, her step-granddaughter was Marin Hopper.

1946

She was included on that celebrated fashion magazine's "best-dressed" list for years, and in 1946 won a Neiman Marcus Fashion Award (as Mrs. Leland Hayward).

Nicknamed “Slim,” she was also dubbed the original "California Girl" because of her golden looks and athletic ability.

She considered a career in opera, before deciding it was too demanding.

Slim left school at the age of 16 and traveled to Death Valley.

While staying at the Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort, she met William Powell.

Through Powell, she was introduced to William Randolph Hearst and his companion Marion Davies.

She thus became a Hollywood socialite and was frequently seen at parties with Gary Cooper and Cary Grant.

She was pursued romantically by Clark Gable, as well as Ernest Hemingway.

1949

In 1949, soon after divorcing their respective spouses, they married in New York and remained together for 10 years.

Slim later wrote that Hayward had been the one love of her life even though he had left her for Pamela Churchill.

1965

Especially the excerpt "La Côte Basque 1965", published in November 1975, caused a scandal in high society.

After the publication of "La Côte Basque 1965", Keith never spoke to Capote again.

According to Sally Bedell Smith in Reflected Glory, the model for Lady Coolbirth was Pamela Harriman, not Slim Keith.

Slim was also known for her iconic sense of style.

With exceptional taste, Slim pursued an elegant, crisp style in all that she wore.

The last years of her life were spent pursuing travel and quiet social activities in New York.

An inveterate smoker, she died at age 72 of lung cancer at New York Hospital.

1972

Slim's next and last husband was British banker Kenneth Keith, whom she left in 1972 after a 10-year marriage.

1975

In 1975, Capote published excerpts of his unfinished novel in Esquire magazine.

1986

Keith banished Capote from her life when he used her as the unflattering model for the fictional Lady Coolbirth of his infamous and unfinished Answered Prayers (eventually published as Answered Prayers: The Unfinished Novel in 1986 ).

2006

Slim Keith was portrayed in the film Infamous (2006) by Hope Davis, and mentioned briefly in Rear Window (1954) as Slim Hayward.

2018

Her marriage to Howard Hawks was depicted in Tonya Walker's short story "Slim" in The Cunningham Short Story Anthology Our World, Your Place (2018) edited by Trevor Maynard and published by Willowdown Books.